About the Role
About CM Youth Center:
The Government of Meghalaya, in partnership with Sauramandala Foundation (www.sauramandala.org) and Project DEFY (www.projectdefy.org), has established 22 rural SDL (Self-directed learning) centres for youth, called the Chief Minister's Youth Center with an aim to build resilience, sustainability, and problem-solving skills in the next generation of the community. The youth centres are established to bridge the digital divide with the help of innovation and entrepreneurship skills by providing access to the Internet along with open learning opportunities. The main features of the centre are a Nook (SDL space), a Library/Arts and a Sports program. The learning is open to all ages to have more involvement from the community.
About the Role:
We are seeking a dynamic, purpose-driven Lead – Community Innovation & Learning Ecosystems to lead the next phase of CMYC’s expansion and deepen its impact across rural Meghalaya. This senior leadership role demands exceptional operational capability, programmatic vision, and stakeholder alignment. The individual will oversee multi-partner program implementation, field operations, capacity building, and innovation, while anchoring the overall direction and strategy of the project.
This is a role for someone who thrives in complexity, champions inclusion, and believes in grassroots-led development through learning, sport, arts, and community entrepreneurship.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Strategic Leadership:
Set the vision, mission, and execution strategy for CMYCs across Meghalaya.
Provide strategic oversight across program components: SDL, Sports, Libraries, Entrepreneurship, Arts & Theatre, and Community Engagement.
Act as the central representative of the project with the Government of Meghalaya, World Bank, and other key institutional partners.
2. Operational Excellence:
Lead the establishment and operationalisation of all CMYCs, ensuring infrastructure, human resources, and community readiness.
Build and maintain scalable systems for field operations, procurement, M&E, and compliance.
Drive consistent implementation across diverse geographies through regional and block-level teams.
3. Team Culture & Performance:
Lead, mentor, and build capacity across a growing team of 50+ staff.
Establish a values-based team culture centred on learning, care, agency, and accountability.
Set clear goals, track progress, and provide real-time coaching to team leads.
4. Stakeholder & Partnership Engagement:
Anchor cross-functional partnerships with implementation partners such as Project DEFY, India Ultimate, and the Free Libraries Network.
Forge new collaborations with local institutions, civil society, government bodies, and private sector players.
Ensure transparent communication and alignment across all stakeholders and community partners.
5. Learning, Documentation & M&E:
Lead impact measurement, performance evaluation, and adaptive strategy development.
Oversee program documentation, reporting, and knowledge sharing for funders and government.
Ensure that youth voices and community stories are at the centre of the program’s learning and storytelling.
Eligibility:
Education & Experience
A graduate or postgraduate degree in Education, Development, Management, Public Policy, or related fields.
Minimum 8–10 years of experience, including 6+ years in a leadership role managing complex, multi-stakeholder programs.
Experience in rural development, youth engagement, or education programs is highly desirable.
Skills & Attributes
Visionary leadership with strong operational instincts.
Excellent team-building, mentoring, and organisational management skills.
Comfort working in ambiguity and driving structure in evolving environments.
Strong stakeholder engagement and government liaisoning experience.
Deep commitment to equity, community participation, and inclusive leadership.
Work Culture & Commitment
We believe in purposeful work driven by care, curiosity, and collective ownership. The CMYC team is built on trust, creativity, and a shared commitment to reimagining rural youth development.
We strongly encourage candidates from the Northeast region and from historically excluded communities to apply.