Magic Bus - Cluster Manager - Employability Skill Programme (15-17 yrs)

About the job

Founded in 1999 by Matthew Spacie, Magic Bus India Foundation is one of India's top five NGOs in the education and skilling sector, operating across 72 districts in 24 Indian states and union territories.

Over the past two decades, we have empowered over 10 lakh adolescents and placed more than 2 lakh youths in sustainable jobs.

Our Childhood Programme targets 12-18-year-olds, while the Livelihood Programme caters to those aged 18-25.

With a dedicated team of over 3,000 professionals, Magic Bus has become India's leading direct implementation NGO within a decade.

Committed to driving our mission forward, we leverage technology and innovation to scale and enhance our programmes.

We have earned numerous accolades, including the ASSOCHAM awards for Best Not-For-Profit Organization, Best NGO for Covid-19 Response in 2022, three consecutive years of the Great Place To Work recognition, and the prestigious Khel Ratna Puraskar presented by the President of India.

Our strategically located offices in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, and Hyderabad are complemented by an international presence in the US, the UK, Nepal, Myanmar, and Singapore, reinforcing our global commitment to making a difference.

Job Description

Lead and oversee the regional implementation and operational delivery of the Magic Bus Livelihoods program that supports youth 18-25 years to be equipped with life skills and workplace skills to be able to find gainful employment in the organized sector

Location : Pune/ Chennai/ Bangalore/ Hyderabad/ Mumbai/ Delhi/ Coimbatore

Strategic Planning and Leadership

- Plan and lead the effective management of all livelihood programs focussing Youth Skilling across the region.

- Ensure achievement of targeted enrolments, maintain high training quality, and oversee final job placements along with tracking job retention.

- Provide senior leadership to livelihoods staff, ensuring high-quality delivery of need assessments, career counselling, skills training, mentoring, job and education placements, and post-placement support for youth.

Program Management and Monitoring

- Oversee the livelihood programs in the region, ensuring robust monitoring and evaluation practices, delivering performance reports to stakeholders, and managing the regional program budget effectively.

- Be accountable for the implementation, adherence, and achievement of all project indicators and desired outcomes, ensuring high-quality inputs and monitoring mechanisms.

- Communicate and implement updates to the livelihood program at the regional level as directed by the national team.

Partnership Development

- Develop partnerships with vocational training institutes and specialist livelihood organizations to enable youth to achieve positive outcomes in employment or further education.

- Build strong strategic partnerships with regional employers to secure attractive job opportunities, effectively positioning Magic Bus as a partner of choice.

- Nurture employer-centric models tailored to specific sectoral needs, including retail, hospitality, and other streams.

Team Development and Capacity Building

- Work with the regional program team to equip livelihood staff with the tools, skills, and knowledge required to deliver employability training, mentoring, need assessments, and placement support.

- Provide ongoing mentorship and leadership to the team, ensuring alignment with program goals and organizational policies.

Innovation and Market Insights

- Undertake regional research to identify youth needs, demand for various career and educational pathways, and market trends in employment and training.

- Identify and address issues, opportunities, and risks within the region that may influence the success of the program.

- Develop and implement methods to support youth pursuing self-employment or entrepreneurial pathways.

Stakeholder Engagement and Representation

- Represent Magic Bus in interactions with funders, external audiences, partners, and the public regarding livelihood programs in the region.

- Build partnerships with colleges, universities, education providers, and government training schemes to offer diverse education and training options for youth.

Compliance and Safeguarding

- Ensure all livelihood programs and partnerships adhere to Magic Bus' Child/Youth Protection policies and practices, maintaining a safe and inclusive environment for all participants.

- This role demands a dynamic leader who is passionate about driving impactful livelihood initiatives, fostering strategic partnerships, and delivering measurable outcomes for youth empowerment.

Knowledge / Skills and Attributes

Knowledge

- Understanding of the Skill ecosystem in India including knowledge about skilling ecosystem driven by NSDC, DGT and Industry.

- Labor market information including industrial clusters, prevailing wages, work hours, skill requirements, and employment possibilities

- In-depth knowledge of all components of an Employability Training project like Mobilization, Youth screening & profiling, Counselling, Skill Training, Placement & post-Placement, and MIS & Reporting

- An understanding of the business economy and its changing dynamics w. new jobs, new competency requirements, jobs becoming redundant, new sectors, etc.

- Knowledge of various employment exchange models (digital, hybrid and offline) for better understanding and alignment of Magic Bus programmes' practices & standards

Skills

- Excellent project management skills which include devise and use project/account plans, budgets, monitoring & evaluation, and other financial information

- Excellent Staffing and People Management skills

- Excellent communication skills, verbal and written, (including the preparation of MIS, Reports and Communication material)

- Highly Tech-savvy

Attributes:

- Ability to successfully operate under high-pressure, stressful and time-bound work environment

- Ability to work with and influence people at all levels

- Maintain a positive attitude and go-getter attitude at all times

- Ability to network and liaise for cooperation & collaboration with all stakeholders, internal & external

- Able to work comfortably in a changing organization

Academic & Professional requirements

- Minimum 15 years of total work experience within which minimum 05 years in a Placements & Employment connect Leadership role in the Skilling/ Staffing industry

- Post-graduation in Management/MSW/Social Science

- Experience of managing a portfolio of activities in a target-driven environment

- Experience in Market scan and Employer relationship building activities

- Experience of managing internal relationships within multi-disciplinary teams

- Willing to travel extensively within the region