Lead integrated rural development programmes across multiple geographies, translating donor commitments and organisational strategy into implementation plans. Oversee project delivery, budgets of ₹5–10 crore annually, donor KPIs, compliance, monitoring and evaluation, reporting, government convergence, stakeholder engagement, and field quality reviews. Mentor project leads and field teams, strengthen programme systems, identify corrective actions, and promote evidence-based learning across health, education, livelihoods, agriculture, women’s entrepreneurship, infrastructure, and related interventions. Travel across project locations 30–50% of the time.
Position Name- Lead– Special projects
Function: -Programmes
Experience-8+ years
Locations-Delhi
Reporting to: Head/Director – Programmes or equivalent
Portfolio: Multiple Integrated Village Development Projects
Annual Programme Portfolio: ₹5–10 Crore
Travel: 30–50%
About Smile Foundation:
Smile Foundation works for the welfare of underprivileged children and their families through programmes focused on education, healthcare, skilling and women empowerment and Empowering Grassroots. Started in 2002 by a group of young corporate professionals, today Smile has evolved into a national level development organization impacting lives of over 2 million underprivileged children and their families with project presence in 27 states across India, 10 offices in strategic locations and over 650 employees, besides volunteers, well-wishers and supporters.
The organization also holds Special Consultative Status with United Nation’s Economic & Social Council (ECOSOC), accredited with global organizations like GuideStar, United Way, CAF America, Give2Asia and many more. Furthermore, Smile Foundation has been a Great Place to Work © Certified organization for the last Six years running and is considered ‘Gold Standard’ in identifying and recognizing Great Workplace
Cultures.
Currently SF is implementing projects across India directly or with the help of grassroot organizations. These are primarily CSR funded projects of varied scale in both urban and rural settings including aspirational districts in thematic areas. The wealth of knowledge emanating from our work is immense, which is curated systematically for purposes ranging from raising funds to driving programmatic change. towards creating large scale impact.
Visit our website to know more about us and our latest development: www.smilefoundationindia.org
Position Overview
The Lead– Special Projects will provide strategic and technical leadership for Integrated Development programmes implemented across multiple geographies. The role will be responsible for translating donor commitments and organisational strategy into effective programme plans, guiding ground teams, monitoring programme quality and budgets, and ensuring achievement of agreed outcomes and KPIs.
The position will oversee multiple projects across different locations, with an overall annual programme portfolio of approximately ₹5–10 crore per year.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Programme Leadership
Provide strategic direction and technical guidance to field teams for designing and implementing specific projects.
Support ground teams in developing ground-level strategies, annual action plans and implementation roadmaps.
Ensure integration across multiple thematic areas rather than implementing standalone interventions.
Identify emerging challenges and opportunities and provide timely strategic solutions.
2. Programme Management & Delivery
Supervise multiple projects operating across different geographies and ensure delivery against approved plans, milestones and outcomes.
Review programme progress regularly and guide teams on corrective actions.
Ensure effective coordination between programme, operations, finance and support teams.
Strengthen programme systems, processes and quality standards across locations.
3. Integrated Development Thematic Areas
Provide strategic oversight across interventions such as:
Health – Demand generation and utilisation of Primary healthcare services
Education – Creating enabling environment and enhancing learning outcomes for STEM and FLN
Rural Livelihoods – income enhancement, skill development and employment
Agriculture & allied activities – farm/Off Farm-based livelihoods, value addition and market linkages
Women Entrepreneurship – SHGs, enterprise development, financial inclusion and market access
Public Infrastructure Upgradation – community infrastructure, WASH, schools, health facilities and other village assets
Government Convergence & Liaisoning – leveraging government schemes, departments and institutional resources
4. Budget & Financial Management
Track programme budgets ranging from ₹5–10 crore annually across multiple projects.
Monitor budget utilisation against approved budgets, milestones and programme outputs.
Work closely with finance teams to ensure timely utilisation, forecasting and variance analysis.
Identify financial risks and support programme teams in taking corrective measures.
Ensure programme expenditure is aligned with donor-approved budgets and organisational policies.
5. Donor KPI & Compliance Management
Ensure achievement of agreed donor KPIs, outputs, outcomes and timelines.
Track programme performance against approved logical frameworks/results frameworks.
Review donor commitments and ensure timely delivery of agreed milestones.
Support preparation of donor reports, programme updates, review presentations and management dashboards.
Ensure documentation and evidence are maintained for donor reporting and audits.
6. Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning
Establish strong monitoring and review mechanisms across projects.
Analyse programme data to identify trends, gaps and opportunities for improvement.
Promote evidence-based programme management and adaptive implementation.
Ensure learnings from one geography/project are captured and replicated where relevant.
Experience in MEL, outcome measurement, impact assessment or MIS-based programme tracking will be an added advantage.
7. Team Leadership & Capacity Building
Mentor and guide Project In charges/Project Leads and field teams.
Build the capacity of ground teams in programme planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting.
Conduct periodic field reviews and performance discussions.
Promote cross-learning and knowledge sharing among teams working across locations.
Collaborate internally with Thematic leads for knowledge transfer and seamless integration with existing programs
8. Government & Stakeholder Engagement
Support teams in developing effective relationships with government departments, Panchayats, local institutions and community stakeholders.
Identify opportunities for convergence with government schemes and programmes.
Represent the organisation in relevant programme reviews, consultations and stakeholder meetings.
9. Field Monitoring
Travel extensively across project locations, approximately 30–50% of working time.
Conduct regular field visits to assess programme quality, beneficiary outcomes, implementation progress and utilization of resources.
Engage directly with communities, frontline teams, government stakeholders and local partners.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Achievement of 90–100% of agreed donor programme KPIs
Programme delivery within approved budget and timelines
Budget utilisation and variance management
Achievement of programme outputs and outcomes
Quality and timeliness of donor reporting
Effectiveness of integrated interventions across thematic areas
Government convergence and additional resource mobilisation
Quality and frequency of programme monitoring
Team performance and capacity development
Evidence of programme learning, innovation and replication
Qualification:
Master's degree in Development Studies, Rural Management, Social Work, Public Policy, Management, Agriculture or a related discipline.
Experience with CSR-funded integrated village development programmes, large NGOs, development agencies, government convergence programmes, or multi-thematic rural development initiatives will be strongly preferred.
Additional qualifications in programme management, development management or MEL will be an advantage.
8+ years of experience in the development/CSR/social sector, preferably with significant experience in integrated rural or village development.
Demonstrated experience in managing multiple projects across geographies.
Experience managing programme portfolios of approximately ₹5–10 crore per annum.
Strong experience in programme planning, implementation, budgeting, monitoring and donor management.
Experience working across at least 3–4 of the following areas: health, education, livelihoods, agriculture, women entrepreneurship, infrastructure and government convergence.
Skills & Experience:
Strong Integrated Programme Management capability
Strategic thinking and problem-solving
Strong understanding of rural development and community institutions
Excellent budgetary and financial tracking skills
Strong donor/KPI management
Ability to analyse programme data and translate it into management decisions
Team leadership and mentoring
Government and stakeholder management
Excellent written and verbal communication
Strong presentation and reporting skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities across geographies
Willingness to travel 30–50%
Competencies:
• Initiating action: Taking prompt action to accomplish objectives; taking action to achieve goals beyond what is required; being proactive.
• Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the message. Able to give and take during a conversation in a balanced way, listening as well as speaking at appropriate intervals.
• Planning and organizing: Establishing courses of action for self and others to ensure work is completed efficiently
• Decision Making: Identifying and understanding issues, problems, and opportunities, comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequences.
• Continuous learning: Actively identifying new areas for learning; regularly creating and taking advantage of learning opportunities; using newly gained knowledge and skill on the job and learning through their application.
How to Apply:
Share your CV/Profile with a brief note (cover letter) telling you why you find yourself a right fit for the role Smile Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer If you would like to apply to this position, please find the link
below -
Please Note: Candidates will be reviewed on rolling basis.
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