Program Associate, Youth Program at Quest Alliance · Chennai

QUEST Alliance is looking for a proactive Program Associate – Chennai Zone to lead Youth Program interventions across Government ITIs in the zone. The role involves program implementation, stakeholder engagement, trainer development, employability skills, digital learning, career transitions, and institutional strengthening.

Key Responsibilities

1. Program Implementation & Quality

• Lead implementation of QUEST programs across assigned Government ITIs.
• Develop implementation plans, monitor progress, and ensure quality and timely delivery.
• Conduct regular ITI visits for monitoring, handholding, and stakeholder engagement.
• Strengthen institute ownership and support long-term mainstreaming of interventions.
• Support Principal Leadership Programs, Change Projects, Student Hubs, and placement initiatives.

2. Employability Skills & Facilitation

• Facilitate sessions on employability, life skills, career readiness, AI, green skills, and future skills.
• Ensure facilitator and learner onboarding and engagement on the MyQuest App, with a focus on completion targets.
• Lead trainer development, ToTs, workshops, orientations, and continuous mentoring.
• Conduct career-readiness activities such as resume building, mock interviews, guest lectures, exposure visits, OJT, and placement support.
• Promote gender inclusion and inclusive learning environments.

3. Stakeholder & Partnership Management

• Build strong relationships with ITIs, principals, trainers, government officials, industries, and ecosystem partners.
• Act as the key point of contact for institutes in the assigned zone.
• Coordinate with placement, training, data, technology, and documentation teams.
• Support government reviews, donor visits, stakeholder meetings, and industry engagement.

4. Documentation & Communication

• Maintain accurate records of program activities, sessions, success stories, case studies, and stakeholder engagement.
• Prepare timely monthly and quarterly reports covering progress, challenges, risks, and impact.
• Ensure regular communication and updates with institutes and stakeholders.

5. Data, Monitoring & Evaluation

• Ensure timely and accurate updating of learner, trainer, engagement, completion, and outcome data.
• Support assessments, baseline/endline studies, monitoring, and review processes.
• Use data to identify gaps, track progress, and improve implementation quality.

6. Learning & Organizational Contribution

• Continuously learn about vocational education, skilling, employability, AI, green skills, and future skills.
• Collaborate with state and zonal teams to improve program delivery.
• Contribute innovative ideas for learner engagement and institute strengthening.
• Participate actively in team meetings, reviews, trainings, and organizational learning.
• Follow QUEST Alliance’s values and HR, finance, safeguarding, and organizational policies.

Requirements

● 1-2 years of experience in program implementation, skilling initiatives, or youth development, preferably in the vocational training or government ecosystem.

● Strong facilitation and training skills

● Government stakeholder management and liaising

● Communication and negotiation skills

● Relationship building and networking abilities

● Planning and organizational skills

● Problem-solving and decision-making abilities

● Documentation and reporting skills

● Ability to work independently and collaboratively

● Adaptability and solution-oriented thinking

● Understanding of vocational education and skilling ecosystem

● Basic proficiency in MS Office and digital platforms

● Willingness to travel extensively within the zone and outside when needed

Salary: The pay band for the position starts at Rs. 32,000/- per month (cost to company) (The salary offered will be commensurate with the experience and expertise of the candidate.)

Benefits

In addition to your compensation, you are also eligible for a suite of benefits designed to support your well-being and growth:

• Comprehensive Personal Accident Insurance covering up to ₹10,00,000 annually

• Mediclaim Insurance covering up to ₹3,00,000 annually, supported through our insurance partner, who also offer additional wellness benefits

• Reach for the Stars (RFS) amount of up to ₹5,000 to support your self-learning and knowledge-building efforts

• Internet allowance of up to ₹750/month, reimbursable based on actual usage to support flexible and hybrid working arrangements

• For employees with children under the age of 6 years, Quest offers childcare or day care fee support through a monthly matching contribution of up to ₹3,000, helping you create a supportive work-life balance

• Access to emotional health and wellbeing programs such as:

* Group sessions worth ₹7,500 per session fully covered by the organisation

* 1:1 counselling sessions (worth ₹1,800 per session), fully covered by the organisation

At Quest Alliance, we pride ourselves on being an Equal Opportunities employer, embracing applications from all segments of the community. We are committed to ensuring that every applicant and employee is treated with fairness and respect, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, marital status, social status, caste, religious belief, age, or any other factor that is irrelevant to performance. Your individuality is valued and respected within our organization.