Position: Program Manager ‐ Urban Community Lab (Full time, with 6 Month’s Probation)
Location: Dharwad, Karnataka
Starting date: January 1st, 2025
Reports to: Senior Program Manager, SELCO foundation
Minimum work experience: 5 to 8 years

About SELCO Foundation:

SELCO Foundation is a not-for-profit organization established in 2010 that engages in field-based R&D and ecosystem building for the deployment of clean energy and built environment solutions that alleviate poverty in tribal, rural and urban poor areas. The organization works in collaboration with practitioners in the social sector, NGOs, and governments to alleviate poverty.

About The Urban Community Lab:

Cities are facing growing challenges that heighten vulnerabilities for millions, particularly in poorer communities who lack the resources to adapt to climate shocks like flooding and extreme heat. Strengthening adaptive capacities and resilience in urban areas is critical to prevent these climate stresses from becoming full-blown disasters.

The Urban Community Lab program aims at assessing and alleviating the impacts of climate change on vulnerable urban communities focusing on city like Hubli-Dharwad with a population of 10 Lakh, SELCO Foundation aims to build evidence, learnings and a template around potential approaches, models and processes that can effectively replicated for similar cities and contexts. The project will focus on enhancing resilience through targeted interventions in the form of pilots across livelihood, health, housing and public institutions in Urban and Peri Urban Hubli-Dharwad.

SELCO Foundation identifies the lack of access to appropriate and affordable climate friendly solutions as a significant barrier to adapting to climate stress. Solutions such as active and passive cooling, solar rooftop systems, natural lighting and ventilation, personal cooling options etc. when designed keeping the user and the demand/ need at the center can be powerful drivers for inclusion and climate goals. Ensuring reliable access to energy, energy optimization solutions environmentally friendly infrastructure is essential not only for immediate adaptation but also for building long-term resilience against the growing risks of climate change.

The program seeks to make a significant impact on health and livelihoods by reducing drudgery, enhancing productivity, providing reliable services, and ensuring a continuous energy supply. By implementing climate smart solutions, the program aims to alleviate the physical burdens of labor, enabling vulnerable communities to engage in more productive activities and improve their economic opportunities. Reliable energy access will boost productivity in businesses and health institutions, allowing for extended working hours and increased output. Ensuring an uninterrupted energy supply will not only support consistent work but also create an environment conducive to innovation and entrepreneurship, ultimately enhancing the overall quality of life in the community.

The focus sectors include:

 &nbps; 1. Livelihoods - Homebased/Individual workplaces
 &nbps;  2. Housing - Notified settlements/Slums
 &nbps;  3. Institutions - Health/High risk institutions/Schools/Anganwadi

A. Job Description:

The Program Manager will lead and manage the Urban Community Lab in Dharwad, Karnataka. The role involves program planning, budget and resource allocation and maintaining various partnerships with key stakeholders critical to the program.

B. Roles and Responsibilities:

1. Project Planning and Execution:

  • Develop comprehensive project plans, schedule, set of operations including timelines, budgets, resource allocation, and risk management strategies.
  • Oversee the day-to-day management of research, design and implementation activities of the team ensuring adherence to project schedules and budgets.
  • Coordinate with program partners, architects, engineers, vendors, government departments, and other stakeholders to ensure seamless project execution.
  • Monitor project progress and make necessary adjustments to ensure timely completion.

2. Team Leadership:

  • Lead and mentor the team of project coordinators, field coordinators, researchers and others placed in Dharwad under the Urban Community Lab program
  • Assign tasks and responsibilities to team members, ensuring clarity of roles and accountability.
  • Foster a collaborative and results-driven team environment.

3. Client and Stakeholder Management:

  • Serve as the primary point of contact for partners and other stakeholders, maintaining regular communication to provide project updates and address any concerns.
  • Manage relationships with government officials, vendors, enterprises, local NGOs, end users and other external stakeholders.
  • Ensure delivery of high-quality work

4. Budget and Resource Management:

  • Prepare and manage project budgets, including cost estimation, tracking expenses, and ensuring financial control.
  • Ensure optimal allocation and utilization of resources, including labor, materials, and equipment.

5. Quality and Safety Assurance:

  • Implement and enforce safety protocols to ensure a safe working environment for all project personnel.
  • Oversee quality control processes to ensure that all work meets or exceeds industry standards and client expectations.
  • Conduct regular site inspections to monitor compliance with safety regulations and quality standards

6. Reporting and Documentation:

  • Prepare and present regular project reports to the senior program manager and program partners
  • Maintain comprehensive project documentation, including contracts, Workorders, agreements, MOU and progress reports.
  • Ensure that all project documentation is accurate, up-to-date, and accessible.

7. Capacity Building:

  • Identify and address skill gaps within the project team providing training and development opportunities as needed.
  • Facilitate workshops, seminars, and on-the-job training for identified champion vendors/ end users/ partners/ construction personnel and for in-house staff to enhance the technical skills to empanel

C. Key Requirements:

  • Bachelor's/master's degree in urban planning, Architecture, Social works or a related field.
  • Minimum of 8+ years of experience in project management, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
  • Proven experience managing small to large scale implementation (construction and/ or installation) projects
  • Strong knowledge of Challenges in Urban-Climate nexus, Impact driven program design development
  • Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
  • Proficiency in project management software (e.g., MS Project, Primavera) and construction management tools.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office

D. How to Apply

To apply for the position of Program Manager ‐ Urban Community Lab , Please click Here

Deadline: 15th Decemberr2024

SELCO is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages all candidates from marginalized communities, genders, sexuality, religions, and abilities to apply to become a part of the organization.

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