Executive Director

SAMVADA
www.samvadabaduku.org

Invites applications for an Executive Director

Location: Bangalore

Application Deadline: 20th March 2023

Samvada, established 1992, has been sensitizing and empowering young people from marginalized communities to build a socially just and inclusive society. Our belief is that young peoples’ values, behaviours, career choices, relationship ideals and lifestyle aspirations can challenge patriarchy, casteism, communalism and consumerism to transform and democratise our society. Based on our faith in youth and youth hood Samvada has developed unique programmes that are widely recognised for their relevance to young people and to the changing cultural and economic landscape of India.

• SAHAYANA (since 1994) focuses on Youth Sensitization, Empowerment, Livelihood planning, Leadership Building and Active Citizenship
• BADUKU (since 2008) equips disadvantaged youth to enter and influence socially critical professions
• YOUTH WORK PROMOTION & YOUTH RIGHTS ADVOCACY (since 2012) is a programme that trains youth workers and supports youth rights advocacy
• KANAJA (since 2018) creates and disseminates knowledge about youth hood and youth-work by studying young peoples’ relationships, livelihood journeys and agency

These programme verticals are supported by Finance, Operations, Communications and HR departments that have enabled Samvada to create impact and to grow steadily. The team comprises 50 full time employees in 6 locations in Karnataka.

THE ROLE:

The Executive Director will be responsible for leading the organisation, upholding and promoting core values of gender justice, social inclusion, pluralism, ecological sustainability and democracy. He/she/they will serve as an intellectual, moral, political anchor as well as strategic guide and overall manager of the organization, steering & facilitating the organization’s growth and evolution towards its long term goals and vision. This includes mobilisation of financial resources, building of strategic alliances, nurturing an organisational culture of collective ownership and development of relevant policies, systems and processes for achievement of objectives.

The Executive Director works in close consultation with the Organisation Management Team and will report to the Board of Trustees.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Programme Visioning and Direction: To provide strategic direction for growth and strengthening of the 4 core programmes of Samvada (i) Sahayana (ii) Youth Work and Youth Right promotion (iii) Baduku and (iv) Kanaja
Fundraising and Project Management: To work with Financial Planning Committee, the Planning and Monitoring Cell and the Programme Leads in developing specific proposals for programmes and for institutional growth; to oversee the implementation, management and monitoring of each project/ institutional development initiative

Human Resource Management and Organisational Culture: To create appropriate organisational structures, to ensure appropriate human resources are recruited and to promote a work culture of democracy, efficiency and transparency and to ensure compliance with law while upholding values of social justice

Administration and Infrastructure: To ensure administrative processes, procurement and maintenance policies and systems are robust and reflect Samvada’s values while complying with legal requirements; ensuring staff and students are provided adequate infrastructure for work/study and guiding all campus development initiatives within a framework of cost efficiency, ecological sustainability, safety and campus as a pedagogical space

Financial Management: To raise and manage funds for the smooth running and sustenance of the organization, oversee budgeting processes, assist in developing fundraising strategies, create financial planning and monitoring systems, sign donor contracts, authorise payments as well as requests for funds disbursements and to ensure compliance with all laws and rules that are relevant to Samvada.

Communications: To guide and support the development and deployment of a communications policy that governs Samvada’s internal communications, social media presence, website, publications and publicity material for effective branding and for informing stakeholders about programme outcomes in a manner that is authentic and compliant with legal requirements.

Governance: To provide Board members with all necessary information and reports about programmes, finances and institutional matters, ensure executive/staff accountability to the Board and maintain boundaries between organisational management and governance.

MINIMIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Post-Graduation in Humanities or Social Sciences
• Ability to speak, read and write English fluently
• Ability to speak and read Kannada
• Ability to articulate a vision for social change and social justice in partnership with youth
• Ability to conceptualize from work/life experiences, to speak and write for public fora and represent the organisation in civil society and higher educational spaces
• Ability to plan and guide research
• Ability to write project proposals, project reports and contribute to research reports/ process documentation
• Ability and willingness to travel 4-5 days each month
• An interest in youth and curiosity about youth-hood

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
• Ten to Fifteen years’ experience in civil society organisations engaged in youth work / alternative or critical higher education/ sustainable livelihoods/ social justice / pluralism with responsibility for programme development, implementation, and monitoring and impact assessment
• Five years of experience in managing small organisations or teams within large organisations with responsibility for people management, financial management, donor relationship management, communications and administration with values of social inclusion and a culture of care
• Familiarity with compliance issues related to NGOs- FCRA, Income Tax, Employee Rights and Statutory Benefits
• Strong networks with civil society organisations, universities and donor organisations would be an asset.
• Experience of mentoring young people and designing/facilitating learning programmes for youth

HOW TO APPLY:

Please send your Resume and Cover letter to: hr@samvadabaduku.org with subject line: Application for ED, before 20th March 2023.

The selection process will include written submissions, three rounds of interviews (online and face to face) and will include interactions with the Board of Trustees as well as references from previous employers.

Phone enquiries will not be accepted. If you need more information about this position you could write to contact@samvadabaduku.org

SAMVADA POLICY ON EQUALITY:

Samvada encourages applicants from disadvantaged and socially excluded/marginalised communities. Women, Sexual and Gender Minorities, Dalits, Muslims, People with Disability and Individuals from conflict/ neglected regions are especially encouraged to apply.

START DATE:

The ED selected will be expected to join latest by 1st June 2023

SALARY:

CTC will be Rs.11-13 Lakhs per annum
Samvada Address: # 95/05, Banjarapalya (Near Bus Stop), Agara Village, Thathaguni Post, Bangalore – 560 082