Foundation Manager

S N Memorial Trust • Part-time / Full-time • Chitradurga, Karnataka, India (Hybrid/On-site)

About S N Memorial Trust

S N Memorial Trust is dedicated to the sustained development and empowerment of rural communities, with a core focus on the villages surrounding Seebara in the Chitradurga district of Karnataka. The Trust implements impactful initiatives across natural resource management, community institution building, livelihood support, and education. Guided by the values of inclusivity, social justice, and participatory development, the Trust places special emphasis on enhancing the leadership, decision-making power, and economic independence of women and marginalized groups in the region.

Role Description

The Team Lead will play a pivotal role in driving the Trust’s grassroots initiatives forward. This position combines community-level leadership with project coordination, ensuring that developmental programs are executed efficiently, transparently, and in alignment with the Trust's strategic goals. The Team Lead will directly manage field staff, coordinate with local community groups, and serve as the vital link between ground reality and the Trust's executive leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Field Leadership & Coordination: Oversee the day-to-day implementation of rural development projects in Seebara and adjacent villages, ensuring activities stay on track and meet milestones.
• Community Mobilization: Actively engage with rural communities, self-help groups (SHGs), and local leaders to foster strong participation, particularly emphasizing women's empowerment and democratic decision-making.
• Team Management: Provide guidance, support, and daily supervision to field coordinators and volunteers, building their capacity to execute project tasks effectively.
• Monitoring & Documentation: Track project progress, collect field data, and maintain accurate records of program outcomes to support regular reporting for internal leadership and external stakeholders.
• Stakeholder Relations: Maintain positive working relationships with local panchayats, community elders, and partner organizations to ensure smooth project operations.

Qualifications

• Project Execution & Leadership: Strong experience in leading field teams, coordinating community-level activities, and managing timelines for rural development initiatives.
• Communication & Mobilization: Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to converse fluently in Kannada and effectively engage with rural communities.
• Problem-Solving: Proven ability to navigate local challenges, resolve conflicts on the ground, and adapt project plans to changing field realities.
• Reporting & Basic IT Skills: Ability to document field data, write basic progress updates, and use standard tools (like mobile data collection apps or basic spreadsheets) for tracking.
• Relevant Background: A degree in Social Work (BSW/MSW), Rural Development, Development Studies, or a related field is preferred, though equivalent practical field experience will be highly valued.
• Contextual Knowledge: Prior experience working in the Chitradurga region or similar dry-land development contexts in Karnataka is a significant advantage.
• Would you like to adjust the employment type (e.g., changing it from part-time to full-time) or add specific details about the exact projects this Team Lead will handle first?