Project Manager/Senior Project Manager - Foundational Learning - MP (DPMU)

About Central Square Foundation (CSF)

Established in 2012, Central Square Foundation (CSF) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to enhancing the learning outcomes of all school going children across India through system-led reforms. Our initiatives span innovation and policy to practice and focus on learning impact at scale. At the heart of CSF's mission is our strategic focus on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN), which drives our collaborative efforts with 11 state governments to design and execute statewide FLN Missions. Additionally, we prioritise EdTech integration, aiming to deploy digital solutions for in-class and at-home learning and establish evidence-based practices while harnessing the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to augment learning outcomes. CSF is deeply committed to Early Childhood Education (ECE) reforms, recognising the critical role it plays in laying a strong groundwork for children's learning journey, thereby augmenting FLN outcomes. CSF also works in the area of School Governance, extending its system-level approach to children in both private and government schools, to strengthen the country's education landscape.

Role Purpose:

The Divisional Project Manager will lead Central Square Foundation's engagement across a division ( cluster of 6-9 districts) in Madhya Pradesh to strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy outcomes. The role serves as the primary link between state priorities and district implementation, working through government systems and a team of district-based professionals to drive sustained improvements in educational outcomes.

Operating at the divisional level, the Divisional Project Manager will partner with divisional and district leadership, support the development of a high-performing field team, and help build a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement across the education system.

Role Scope:

The Divisional Project Manager is responsible for a portfolio of districts within a division and leads a team of district-based MP NIPUN Professionals embedded within those districts.

The role requires balancing government partnership, people leadership, and program execution while ensuring alignment between policy intent and on-ground implementation.

Key Areas of Responsibility:

1. Outcome Delivery : Drive progress towards foundational literacy and numeracy goals across the division by enabling districts to improve performance and strengthen implementation quality.

2. Salience Building: Build and sustain salience for foundational learning priorities among divisional and district leadership. Foster ownership, accountability, and collective action towards improving learning outcomes through strong government partnerships and effective engagement.

3. Team Leadership: Lead, coach, and develop a team of district-based MP NIPUN Professionals. Create a culture of ownership, learning, collaboration, and high performance while supporting team members to navigate complex implementation environments.

4. Systems Improvement & Problem Solving: Identify systemic barriers affecting district performance and support the development of practical, scalable solutions. Use data, field insights, and stakeholder feedback to strengthen implementation systems and improve outcomes.

5. Organizational Contribution: Contribute to program strategy, cross-functional collaboration, and organizational learning by bringing field perspectives, implementation insights, and emerging opportunities to inform decision-making and continuous improvement.

Who We Are Looking For:

We are looking for professionals who are passionate about improving educational outcomes at scale and are excited by the opportunity to drive change through government systems.

The ideal candidate combines strong execution capabilities with systems thinking and is comfortable navigating complex stakeholder environments. They are equally adept at building relationships with senior government officials, leading and developing teams, and solving implementation challenges on the ground.

Successful candidates will typically bring:

• 4–8 years of professional experience in education, public policy, governance, development, consulting, or related sectors.

• Experience leading teams and driving performance through others.

• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build credibility and influence across different levels of government.

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex programs or initiatives in dynamic environments.

• Excellent communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.

• Candidates should be open to extensive travel across the districts in the division.

Experience working with government systems and large-scale social sector programs will be an advantage.