Programme Manager - Lifted

Nature of employment: Full-time Reporting to: Director, Delhi Programmes Location: New Delhi, Delhi About Peepul 6.5 million students. 291,000 teachers. 90,000+ schools. That’s the scale of what Peepul is changing - and this role sits at the centre of it. Peepul is an education non-profit working with state governments in Delhi and Madhya Pradesh to drive systemic reform at scale. We’ve received international recognition - including the Commonwealth

Education Award for Innovation - and are backed by India’s leading CSR funders and global partners. Our model is simple: embed, deliver, measure anchored in system-level change, in partnership with governments. We are a growing organisation with an ambitious strategy and a strong evidence base. Join us in our mission to create a world where every child has equal access to high-quality education. Learn more about our transformative work at http://peepulindia.org Programme Overview Peepul is actively engaged in a FLN (Foundational Literacy and Numeracy) focused Development Impact Bond (DIB), which spans a 5-year period and covers four zones within the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). The project commenced with a learning year (Academic Year 2022-23), followed by four years of outcome-based funding (Academic Year 2023-24 onwards). The project entails the systematic implementation of academic, governance, and technology reforms targeted at bolstering assessments in the Central and West zones. Over these five years, Peepul will build the systemic understanding and competency in implementing high-quality student-learning focused assessments. This will be done by reviewing existing practices, co-creating Standard Operating Protocols for conducting high-quality assessments, conducting training for teachers & officials, etc. About the role Following an initial learning year, the program now enters a multi-year phase of outcome-based funding tied directly to improvements in student learning outcomes. In this phase, the Programme Manager will be at the helm of LiftEd’s design and delivery - managing academic interventions, stakeholder relationships, and outcome achievement across this ambitious and high-accountability program. They will work closely with MCD leadership, academic mentors, academic officials, and school teams, while also anchoring reporting and coordination with a consortium of donors and external evaluators. A key component of the role will involve strengthening MCD’s capacity to implement student learning assessments and use data for improving FLN instruction in the classroom - embedding sustainable, system-owned practices. This role demands strategic thinking, sharp execution, a deep understanding of public education systems, and the ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder environments. It is an opportunity to shape one of the few outcome-linked education programs in India with direct impact on student learning.

Key

Responsibilities Strategic Design and Government Engagement Lead the co-design of the LiftEd improvement roadmap with senior MCD officials and Peepul’s leadership team. Align senior government stakeholders around core outcome areas: assessment-led instruction, structured pedagogy, and data-driven governance reforms. Build trust-based relationships with key decision-makers and ensure government ownership at all levels of the delivery chain. Program Implementation and Outcome Delivery Design and manage high-quality delivery of academic interventions - including teacher and school principal professional development, in-class support systems, and assessment-based remediation. Integrate technology and governance reforms that enable data collection, reflection, and targeted support to schools and teachers. Build teacher and system capacity in conducting and using student assessments to inform FLN classroom instruction. Ensure strong project management systems, regular milestone reviews, and ongoing adaptation based on evidence from the field. Donor Management Serve as the key program lead for LiftEd’s donor consortium and DIB partners. Ensure regular, transparent communication of program progress, outcomes, and risks to funders. Coordinate external evaluation cycles and field visits, providing insights on implementation and outcome trajectory. Align internal teams and external stakeholders around DIB-linked goals and high-stakes reporting timelines. System Strengthening and External Partnerships Collaborate with government departments to build sustainable delivery systems, embed academic best practices, and institutionalise assessment routines. Identify and manage external partnerships where needed - ensuring coherence with Peepul’s programmatic strengths and strategic goals. Contribute to national dialogue and thought leadership by sharing insights and lessons from the LiftEd program with the broader ecosystem. Team Leadership and Capability Building Lead and develop a high-performing team that demonstrates ownership, agility, and strong outcome focus. Foster a culture of shared learning, trust, and continuous improvement within the team and with government stakeholders. Provide hands-on coaching, development pathways, and feedback to direct reports.

Requirements Qualifications and Role

Requirements: At Peepul, we seek talented professionals passionate about driving educational transformation and making a positive impact. We are looking for individuals who possess the following qualifications and meet the role requirements: Educational Background: A relevant educational background in education, social sciences, development studies, or related disciplines is highly preferred.

Work Experience: We value both professional and personal experience. Candidates with over 9+ years of experience of teaching, designing and delivering capacity-building programs for government stakeholders, FLN interventions in the public education sector, preferably in school settings, will be given preference. Other Skills: Excellent project management skills, with the ability to oversee end-to-end program content design and delivery ensuring the last mile impact. Language Proficiency: English and Hindi