Job Description

Job Description: Program Associate (Patna)

About the Organization

Air Pollution Action Group (A-PAG) was set up in 2019 by Ashish Dhawan (Founder and Chairperson, Ashoka University and Central Square Foundation), Vijay Chadda (previously CEO of Bharti Foundation) and Mohit Beotra (previously Chief Brand Officer of Airtel). Ashish is a member of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and adjoining regions.

• A-PAG is focused on strategic implementation of solutions to combat air pollution and has created a niche for itself within the broader ecosystem in the last 2 years. A-PAG works with the Government on a pro-bono basis; we have made significant progress with programs at the National as well as State level. Some of our projects are as follows:
• In Delhi, we have worked on multiple programs. Currently, we are engaged with the Municipal Corporation on a massive program aimed at dispersed sources. This covers all ~300 wards across the city alongside a Construction & Demolition Dust Management program.
• In Uttar Pradesh (UP) we have a program running in coordination with the Smart City Integrated Control & Command Centre in Lucknow. We have recently expanded our presence to include various cities across the state viz Prayagraj, Ghaziabad, NOIDA, Agra.
• As part of our program with Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BPSCB), we are active in Patna, Muzaffarpur & Gaya. Various initiatives are underway to address air pollution across the state of Bihar.
• We work in Gurgaon in partnership with the Municipal Corporation. Starting with a pilot currently being run in a limited area, the program is scheduled to be rolled out across the entire city within the next 120 days.
• A-PAG works closely with the Punjab Government to combat stubble burning. Our efforts are focused on convincing farmers to adopt alternative solutions. These efforts include mass media & social media campaigns, mobile first initiatives as well as tech enabled solutions to ease hiring of implements.
• We have a PMU based at the Central Pollution Control Board, which is helping CPCB drive the effectiveness of the National Clean Air Program (NCAP).

About the role

In Bihar, we have been successfully running the Dispersed Sources Program in the state since 2021. To expand our impact in Bihar, we are in the process of launching the pilot for our Construction & Demolition (C&D) Dust programme which has proven success in Delhi to streamline the intake of C&D waste and is being expanded across the city. You will be tasked with replicating the pilot from Delhi in Patna to ensure maximal success of the pilot through active implementation efforts alongside city officials and mapping progress with central teams. While your role would primarily be for launching the C&D pilot in Patna, you may also be involved to support ongoing projects.

This role offers an excellent opportunity for young development professionals to gain on-ground experience, work alongside government officials and innovate solutions.

The role will report directly to the State Lead based in Patna.

Key Responsibilities

The critical functions to manage your area successfully will include the following:

• Program Strategy and Implementation: You will anchor end-to-end timely implementation of the C&D pilot in Patna. You will need to liaison with the central teams as well as city officials in ULBs to execute codified processes to ensure pilot success and therefore expansion. You will also be required to implement IEC activities with relevant stakeholders for the program.
• Stakeholder Management: You will be expected to build relationships with officials ranging from the operational levels of these organizations to the leadership and drive these engagements to ensure success. You will also support the ULBs in coordinating with each other.
• Monitoring and Review: You will be responsible to ensure structured reviews are held internally and externally in your area in order to make progress toward resolving the issues identified on the ground.
• Innovation & Problem Solving: The new pilot and program will throw up challenges and obstacles along the way. You will be expected to anticipate and resolve all unearthed challenges along the process to ensure smooth functioning.

Eligibility

1. Bachelor’s from a tier-1 institute with a good academic performance. A Masters degree is not required but preferable.
2. ~2 years of work experience in a role with a strong implementation focus.
3. Work experience in the space of environment/ solid waste management, program implementation would be preferred but is not essential however, passion to solve the air pollution crisis in India is critical

Skill Sets Required

• Analytical bent of mind is key you will need to think through problems and help the team arrive at an accurate assessment of the key issues to be addressed.
• Entrepreneurial nature success in this role depends heavily on your ability to make things happen on the ground.
• Ability to work alongside government officials, while being able to convince them to accept our recommendations.
• Program management skills are needed to ensure programs are delivered against agreed timelines with requisite quality.
• Ability to learn quickly air pollution is a relatively nascent space and new knowledge is constantly emerging which we need to understand & utilize to our benefit.

Location

Patna

Compensation

Will be commensurate with the best among social sector norms