About us

Lighthouse Communities Foundation works in the area of skilling and livelihoods for underserved youth. This is a pioneering program with a strong PPP model, an agency-led approach to livelihoods and a vision of socio-economic transformation. The Lighthouses are run through a public-private partnership that empowers the Government, Corporates, NGOs and Citizens to work together towards changing lives. The provision of location and capital expenditure for the Lighthouse centres is taken care of by the Government. Corporates contribute through CSR funds to provide operational expenses. NGOs come on board to provide various skilling courses to the youth. With penetration in more than 400 of the 500-odd slum communities of Pune, the program has now expanded to other cities viz. PCMC, Dombivali, Aurangabad and also States viz. Delhi, Odisha, Hyderabad and UP.

About the Global Opportunity Youth Network (GOYN)

As the Anchor Partner for GOYN in India, Lighthouse Communities Foundation leads the implementation of this global initiative aimed at catalyzing system shifts for youth opportunity. GOYN works with “Opportunity Youth” — young people aged 15–29 who are out of school, unemployed, or engaged in informal work — to create sustainable training, employment, and income-earning pathways.

In Pune, GOYN focuses on unlocking the economic potential of Opportunity Youth through a “Collective Impact” approach that brings together key stakeholders across the ecosystem. The initiative aims to ensure that every Opportunity Youth in the city has access to dignified, productive, and sustainable livelihood opportunities, with Lighthouse Communities Foundation serving as the anchor organisation driving coordination, partnerships, and on-ground impact.

Click to know more:

GOYN Learning Report:

Position Overview:

The Senior Manager, Program Operations will serve as the strategic and operational lead for the GOYN initiative in Pune, overseeing the full spectrum of program implementation, stakeholder engagement, and team leadership. This role is pivotal in translating GOYN’s vision into action at the district level building a strong local brand, fostering cross-sector partnerships, and driving inclusive youth development outcomes.

The Head will be responsible for planning, executing, and monitoring all project activities in alignment with GOYN’s national strategy, while ensuring high-quality delivery through a team of 7–8 staff members. The role demands a dynamic leader who can navigate complex ecosystems, engage with government and community stakeholders, and champion youth voice through initiatives like the Youth Advisory Group (YAG) and Youth Innovation Fund (YIF).

With a focus on results-based management, ecosystem strengthening, and youth empowerment, the Senior Manager, Program Operations will play a critical role in shaping Pune’s Opportunity Youth landscape and contributing to systemic, sustainable change.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Brand Development:

• Build and promote the GOYN brand within the city of Pune.

2. Project Planning and Management:

• Prepare and regularly update the overall implementation plan for the project, incorporating a risk framework using Results-Based Management tools.
• Oversee day-to-day project implementation and ensure coordination of project outcomes.

3. Partnership and Ecosystem Development:

• Collaborate with relevant organisations for ecosystem mapping and develop the Theory of Change.
• Assist the Head of Office in identifying implementing partners and preparing necessary documentation for partnerships.
• Establish strong working relationships with local partners, including government officials, NGOs, and skilling organizations.

4*. Strategic Guidance & Vision:*

• Develop a strategic vision for Programme Group which translates into the successful delivery of GOYN mandate and Strategic Plan goals, targets and strategies
• Develop strategies to support GOYN current and future programme requirements and direction.
• Help GOYN to identify emerging local and state issues of importance to the rights and well-being of youth and help evolve these into core programming solutions and opportunities for GOYN.
• Liaise with government departments to establish a cell within the State Government to attract private investment and conduct ongoing employer/demand mapping by sector.

5. Monitoring and Reporting:

• Develop mechanisms for close monitoring of project progress, identifying potential risks, and alerting management as needed.
• Ensure timely preparation and submission of the Project's Annual/Quarterly Work Plans and Progress/Final reports, including financial documentation.
• Prepare monthly reports on key project activities, issues, and action points, as well as semi-annual and annual progress reports.

6. Team Leadership and Capacity Building:

• Supervise project personnel, ensuring effective communication and coordination among team members, implementing partners, and management.
• Identify skill gaps within the project team and proactively plan training and capacity-building sessions.
• Develop training materials and short training capsules to enhance the capabilities of project personnel.

7. Youth Engagement and Advocacy:

• Mobilize Youth for GOYN volunteering activities and manage brand-building events to advocate for youth.
• Develop the Youth Advisory Group to create a collaborative youth voice for the GOYN program and foster youth leadership and civic engagement.
• Oversee Youth Innovation Fund projects in the designated location while managing and guiding the youth innovators.

8. Data and Research Oversight:

• Oversee the development of the Youth Well-Being Index in collaboration with stakeholders, managing baseline, midline, and endline surveys.

9. Internal Stakeholders Coordination:

• Support management in coordinating project activities from substantive, administrative, and financial perspectives, applying strategic planning to ensure effective implementation.

Preferred Skill Sets:

• Post Graduation in Social work/social sciences field, with 8-10 years of experience preferably in both social and corporate sectors.
• Ability to deliver and complete targets on time
• Self-driven, self-motivated, excellent time management and multitasking skills
• Strong people management, project management, and data analytics skill
• Strong orientation towards relationship building and problem-solving
• Good Proficiency of Google docs, Google Sheets and MS Office needed.
• Excellent Verbal and Written Communication Skills in English, Hindi and Marathi.
• Should be a Team Player.

Base Location: Pune

Does it sound exciting?

If yes, then share your CV with us by mentioning the designation in the subject line at or click on the link to apply- https://forms.gle/eFuMTrpeFFZTRofMA

Pay: ₹1,000,000.00 - ₹1,200,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Cell phone reimbursement
• Provident Fund

Work Location: In person