Program Lead

(Kolkata)

Plastics For Change has developed a sustainable sourcing platform connecting waste collectors to global brands to ensure a steady supply of high-quality recycled material. This fair-trade verified ethical sourcing platform aims to improve the social and environmental impact of products by creating efficient shared-value chains and increasing the quality of recycled plastic. Plastics For Change provides the expertise to replace the use of virgin plastic with ethically sourced recycled plastic. Join us in our mission to create dignified livelihoods and prevent ocean plastic by visiting www.plasticsforchange.org

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Program Lead

REPORTS TO: Director-Social Additionality

LOCATION: Kolkata

Plastics For Change has a core objective to provide digniﬁed sustainable economic opportunities for the urban, semi-urban and rural poor waste collector’s and improve their quality of life through various social & community interventions.

We are looking for passionate and highly skilled individuals who can help us make a difference to the lives of waste collectors in India who make a living collecting, sorting, recycling and selling materials that someone else has thrown away. We are looking for people who share our values and are driven to create a positive change in the community.

Duties and Key Responsibilities

Project Design and Budgeting

Assess the context and conduct baseline surveys while collecting both quantitative and qualitative data/information using participatory tools.
Design cost-effective programs and budgets for short-term and long-term projects.
Provide support in developing context-specific theories of change and program models.
Contribute to the development of strategic interventions.

Project Execution and Management

Manage the timely rollout/implementation of projects, ensuring alignment with project design.
Identify needs and customize strategies, plans, and approaches to ensure the achievement of project goals and objectives.
Lead the development of detailed implementation plans (DIPs) and support the project team in understanding and implementing them.
Coordinate with other organizational functions to secure necessary support for project execution.
Promote innovative approaches and interventions within the project.
Address operational challenges through timely interventions in coordination with the project team and Central Office Team.
Support the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for smooth implementation within agreed timelines.
Conduct regular field monitoring (approximately 40% of the time) to ensure deliverables are met.
Ensure community ownership of project activities and strategies for sustainability.
Understand community aspirations and align project activities accordingly.
Leverage community strengths and institutions to create ownership of project activities.
Build transparency and accountability for project activities toward the impact population.

Develop Partnerships with Government and Others and Undertake Advocacy on Relevant Issues

Build relationships at the community, ward, and district levels with stakeholders in the private, government, academic, and NGO sectors to foster partnerships.
Enhance the visibility of the project and organization among government stakeholders.
Understand stakeholder mandates and leverage their activities to support project implementation.
Represent the project and organization at forums to nurture partnerships.
Participate in relevant committees and advocacy forums at district and state levels.
Develop advocacy strategies and activities in consultation with the technical team.

Build a Sensitive and High-Performing Cohesive Team

Organize orientation sessions for the project team on their roles and responsibilities.
Supervise the project team, ensuring coordination, a positive spirit, and mutual support.
Identify technical capacity-building needs and organize training programs in consultation with the technical team.
Implement the Performance Management System by setting Annual KRAs/Individual Operating Plans for direct reports and conducting mid-year reviews and annual appraisals.
Mentor the project team through regular feedback and inputs to maintain high motivation and performance.
Provide support for activity planning, monitoring, and program reviews.
Identify and address conflicts or role ambiguities among team members promptly.

Coordinate Monitoring, Documentation, Studies, and MIS-Based Reporting for Donor Reporting

Assist the technical team in developing project-related content and fostering collaboration among project members.
Lead the execution of project studies and documentation with support from the technical team, ensuring timely delivery.
Develop blogs, briefs, and photo documentation to enhance the project’s visibility.

Note: The roles and responsibilities outlined above are not meant to be an exhaustive list of tasks. Flexibility is required and the incumbent is expected to carry out any other related duties that are necessary for the optimum functioning of the company as a whole within the employee's skills and abilities whenever a need is pointed out, becomes apparent or as reasonably instructed.

Knowledge, Experience and Qualiﬁcations:

Postgraduate degree in Social Work/ Rural Development/ Rural Management/ Social Sciences,
5+ years experience in program management in the social sector.
3+ years experience in government relations, advocacy & policy related work.
Experience working with the informal sector workforce.
Good understanding of social and environmental concepts and methods.
Experience of being part of any program/project management or ﬁeld work would be an added advantage.
Engagement, plastics recycling, and waste management will be helpful.
Fluency in English, Tamil and Hindi languages.

Skills:

Good interpersonal skills and ability to work.
Project and fund management skills.
Be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the sector.
Ability to develop good relationships with stakeholders.
Has excellent interpersonal skills and is able to understand individual's motivations
Open to new challenges.
Good data management, documentation and reporting skills.
Good computer skills – MS Ofﬁce and Working on CRM tools.
Ability to work under pressure and prioritise tasks.
Eye for detail.
Able to learn new systems, methods, processes and procedures.
Able to meet deadlines and produce quality outputs.
Proactive and self-motivated.
Humility, honesty, transparency, integrity and the ability to maintain conﬁdentiality.

CTC

As per industry standards.

TO APPLY: PLEASE SEND US A COVER LETTER ALONG WITH YOUR CV TO RECRUITMENT@PLASTICSFORCHANGE.COM

Note: Kindly send resume only in PDF format.

Disclaimer

PFC is an equal employment opportunity for all employees and provides employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at PFC are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. PFC will not tolerate any kind of discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. PFC encourages applicants of all ages.