Program Coordinator - Futures Program

Futures program is one of the flagship programs of KVSS, which aims at preparing each child for independence and self-reliance through guidance counseling, career education programing, scholarships and higher education fund, and life skills workshops for life after Kopila Valley School.

Position Summary:

The Futures Program Coordinator is overall responsible to plan, implement, monitor and ensure quality program deliverables coordinating with Kopila Valley School and KVSS team so that the children could develop program their full potentials and become self-reliant. The incumbent is excellent at coaching, mentoring and providing support to students and alumni using relevant tools and techniques in exploring their talents, searching for relevant educational institutions and job opportunities, including apprenticeship, on the job, etc. He/she will have coordinating role with various academic institutions and vocational training providers.

Futures program coordinator ensures frequent communications with Kopila Valley Alumni Association members so that a supportive and enabling environment is created. He/she is responsible for documentation of program updates and sharing of updates, and periodic reports with the supervisor.

Application Deadline: Rolling Basis

Must Haves
Education: Graduate in Social Science, or any relevant discipline/s

Experience: At least 4+ years of proven experience in relevant field

Language: A good communicator, and fluent in English and Nepali would be an added advantage
Skills and Abilities: Ability to manage, mentor and lead children and their activities. Self initiator and can work colloboratively and independently with least supervision required. 

The Main Responsibilities

• Lead Futures Program in planning, implementation, monitoring and database management, and reporting
• Team leadership and management- supervise Futures Program team by setting goals, priorities, and enhance effective integration amongst programs
• Capacity building of team in career counseling & mentorship, coaching and ensure adequate support is provided to students, alumni
• Liaise between principal of KVS, students, staff and organization, and build functional working relationships with stakeholders to create a better learning space

Detailed Responsibilities

1) Lead Futures Program in planning, implementation, monitoring and database management, budgeting and reporting

• Lead in participatory planning process and ensure all team members have a detailed implementation plan including timelines
• Ensure budget is phased realistically with timelines considering annual milestones and seasonal calendar and considerations
• Coordinating with different program leads to explore opportunities for possible integration and collaboration to bring about synergy
• Develop database tracking sheet, maintain and update details of students, alumni and manage database, including Apricot system.

2) Team leadership and management- supervise Futures Program team by setting goals, priorities, and enhance effective integration amongst programs

• Communicate key strategic priorities Futures Program and relevant program guides and policy/procedures with team members
• Set annual and quarterly goals of team and ensure everyone is aligning with set goals and priorities and deliverable on time to quality and develop and share weekly/monthly priorities and updates.
• Coordinate with different programs and stakeholders to harmonize program activities and amplify program achievements
• Organize one on one conversation with direct reports and ensure documentation in Asana
• Organize performance appraisal and reviews coordinating with HR and supervisors and recommend relevant training and capacity building needs.

• Create a learning and sharing environment to building the capacity of team members in career counselling, mentorship and coaching so as to cascade it down to students and alumni
• Ensure to provide the students with individual and group counseling for their higher education to help them make informed decisions for the courses and institutions they select.
• Explore and expand scope of Manage the support to the students with the application process, school, college and relevant vocational training providers for enrollment beyond KVS
• Develop policies and procedures to provide 10+2 scholarships, Higher Education Fund (HEF) and similar support coordinating with relevant team members
• Support students with application for higher education scholarships and with their selection process for the scholarships provided by KVS
• Collaborate with the school teachers to determine appropriate assessments and interventions required to assist students and alumni
• Coordinating with supervisor, connect students with mentors and international schools for higher education
• Explore, identify and connect students with the recruitment services, job listing, on-campus interviews and career fairs
• Ensure important meeting minutes are taken, documents are maintained and reported

• Coordinating with KVS, different programs, organize various activities and events, and projects to help students engage, development communication skills, confidence so as to be self-reliant
• Work collaboratively with the staff, teachers, and the management and programs team for student capacity development through organizing different activities, including organizing speakers’ series in-house and outside
• Keep detailed and updated track records of all children with special consideration of children with disabilities, special needs
• Map stakeholders and develop stakeholders’ engagement plan so as to establish smooth and functional working relationship with relevant government officials, likeminded organizations and academic institutions/networks
• Coordinating with supervisor, share periodic updates with stakeholders and represent to KVSS at meetings, forums and events
• Lead to organize periodic review and reflection workshops and ensure proper documentation and sharing
• Utilize research and good practices to develop robust and quality programing that consistently meets established goals

Additional expectations

• Takes ownership of change and engage and encourage innovation
• Build positive working relationships and environment in the organization by bringing solutions to the discussion table
• Report to the manager on a weekly basis, and as needed in case of urgent activities
• Build and maintain a strong relationship with the staff, students, teachers and relevant stakeholders

The above list of responsibilities is not comprehensive, and the Program Coordinator - Futures Program may be required to take on additional responsibilities, as determined by his/her manager.

Key Characteristics

• You believe that we can change the world in the blink of an eye.
• You believe in making decisions that put children first.
• You are self-motivated, organized, and approachable.
• You enjoy creating systems, keeping records, and increasing efficiency.
• You are always looking for new ways for our team to work smarter instead of harder.
• You are detail-oriented and conscientious. You make sure nothing slips through the cracks.
• You have a strong work ethic and a willingness to pick up new skills. You are comfortable multi-tasking.
• You are positive, patient, and a clear communicator who is comfortable working with both Kopila Valley staff in Nepal and the BlinkNow staff in Nepal.
• You are an empathetic person, with a knack for putting out fires before they start and soothing conflicts brewing beneath the surface.
• You require little supervision and are flexible. You understand that you will be wearing many hats in this role, many of which are not explicitly included in this job description.