Program Lead – OD and Institutional Strengthening, Northeast India

Position Information

Position: Program Lead – OD and Institutional Strengthening

Location: Guwahati (Preferred) / Northeast India

Organization: Realm of Nature-Based Actions (RNBA)

Reports to: Executive Director

Supervises: Programme Managers, State Coordinators, MEL Officer, Finance & Administration Support, Consultants and Project Teams

Grade: Senior Leadership Team

About RNBA

Realm of Nature-Based Actions (RNBA) is a non-profit organization strengthening communities, institutions, and ecosystems through sustainable development, organizational development, indigenous leadership, conservation, humanitarian response, and systems transformation. RNBA works with civil society organizations, networks, governments, philanthropy, and communities across Northeast India to build resilient institutions and a stronger development ecosystem.

Why Join RNBA?

This role offers the opportunity to shape the future of civil society in Northeast India. The Program Lead will lead transformational programmes that strengthen institutions, develop leaders, deepen partnerships, and mobilize resources for lasting regional impact.

Working closely with RNBA leadership, partners, and donors, the successful candidate will help build a more resilient, collaborative, and future-ready development ecosystem across the region.

Position Summary The Program Lead – OD and Institutional Strengthening provides strategic leadership for RNBA’s Organizational Development portfolio across Northeast India. The role leads the design, delivery, and growth of initiatives that strengthen the effectiveness, resilience, and sustainability of civil society organizations and development actors.

The position oversees flagship programmes including Niranthara Northeast, Sahayog, the Alumni Network, leadership development, capacity building, and future ecosystem-strengthening initiatives. The Program Lead is accountable for programme quality, resource mobilization, strategic partnerships, organizational learning, team leadership, and institutional growth.

As a member of RNBA’s Senior Leadership Team, the Program Lead will strengthen collaboration, institutional capacity, resource mobilization, and innovative approaches to sustainable and equitable development across Northeast India.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership

· Set strategic direction for RNBA’s Organizational Development portfolio across Northeast India.

· Develop, review, and adapt the regional OD strategy in line with emerging civil society needs.

· Position RNBA as a regional leader in organizational development and ecosystem strengthening.

· Lead annual and multi-year planning, ensuring alignment with RNBA’s vision, mission, and priorities.

2. Programme and Ecosystem Leadership

Programme Leadership and Oversight

Provide overall leadership for all Organizational Development programmes, including:

- Niranthara Northeast Cohort Programme
- Sahayog Programme
- Alumni Engagement Programme
- Leadership Development Initiatives
- Capacity Building Programmes
- Organizational Assessment (SAT/OD Tools)




- Governance Strengthening Initiatives
- Future Ecosystem-Strengthening Programmes

Key responsibilities include: · Design innovative programmes and translate strategy into annual and multi-year work plans.

· Oversee budgets, risks, partnerships, coordination, and programme performance.

· Ensure programme quality, integration, learning, and delivery against outputs, outcomes, and long-term impact.

Ensure all programmes achieve intended outputs, outcomes, and long-term impact.

Development Ecosystem Strengthening

Lead RNBA's efforts to strengthen the Northeast development ecosystem by:

· Build strategic partnerships and cross-sector collaboration across civil society, philanthropy, government, academia, and development partners.

· Convene learning platforms, communities of practice, consultations, and peer-learning spaces.

· Promote innovation, systems thinking, and knowledge exchange across the Northeast development ecosystem.

Programme Quality, MEL and Learning

Provide leadership in

· Lead results-based management, Theory of Change implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and learning frameworks.

· Oversee outcome and impact tracking, programme reviews, impact assessments, and learning events.

· Strengthen knowledge management, document best practices, and use evidence to improve programme quality.

Ensure evidence-based decision-making and continuous programme improvement.

3. Fundraising and Resource Mobilization

Lead resource mobilization efforts by:

· Identify funding opportunities and develop donor engagement strategies.

· Prepare high-quality concept notes and proposals, manage donor relationships, and support grant negotiations.

· Diversify funding through CSR partnerships, consortium opportunities, and other strategic resource channels.

Annual fundraising targets will be established jointly with the Executive Director.

4. People Leadership and Culture

Lead and mentor programme teams by:

· Recruit, coach, and mentor high-performing programme teams and managers.

· Build leadership capacity through performance management, learning plans, and succession development.

· Promote collaboration, wellbeing, inclusion, and a positive organizational culture.

Promote staff wellbeing, professional development, and leadership succession.

5. Financial Stewardship and Compliance

Ensure strong financial stewardship through budget planning, financial monitoring, donor and procurement compliance, risk management, audit readiness, and productive use of resources.

Work closely with the Finance team to maintain strong accountability systems.

6. Representation and External Relations

Represent RNBA in

· Represent RNBA in national and regional forums, donor and government meetings, conferences, policy dialogues,



and knowledge-sharing platforms.

· Serve as a thought leader and advocate for organizational development, institutional strengthening, and civil society ecosystem development.

Key Deliverables

You will be responsible for achieving:

· High-quality delivery of all OD programmes.

· Strengthened institutions, partner capacity, and Northeast development ecosystem.

· Successful fundraising, donor diversification, and strategic partnerships.

· Measurable programme outcomes, learning products, and evidence of impact.

· High-performing teams and sustainable programme growth.

Candidate Profile

Qualifications

Essential

Master’s degree in Organizational Development, Development Studies, Social Work, Rural Development, Public Administration, Management, Business Administration, Organizational Psychology, or a related discipline.

Preferred

Advanced training or certification in Organizational Development, leadership, project management, change management, coaching, or monitoring and evaluation.

Experience

Essential

· 10–15 years of progressively responsible experience in the development sector, including at least five years in senior leadership or programme management.

· Proven experience managing multi-state or regional programmes and donor-funded initiatives.

· Experience working with civil society organizations in Northeast India and leading multidisciplinary teams.

Preferred

Experience in organizational development, capacity building, institutional strengthening, civil society networks, philanthropy, ecosystem development, systems thinking, or coalition building.

Technical Competencies

· Organizational development, governance strengthening, and capacity development.

· Programme management, strategic planning, budgeting, and risk management.

· Fundraising, proposal development, partnership building, and resource mobilization.

· Monitoring, evaluation, Theory of Change, knowledge management, and policy analysis.

Leadership Competencies The successful candidate should demonstrate:

· Strategic thinking, visionary leadership, sound judgment, and ethical conduct.

· Systems thinking, innovation, collaboration, and results orientation.

· Emotional intelligence, accountability, decision-making, conflict resolution, and adaptability.

· Coaching, mentoring, and political and cultural sensitivity.

Core Values The Program Lead is expected to model RNBA's values by demonstrating:

· Integrity, transparency, accountability, and professional excellence.

· Respect for diversity, inclusion, Indigenous peoples, and local communities.

· Humility, servant leadership, collaboration, partnership, and commitment to social justice and equity.

· Learning, reflection, and continuous improvement.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

- Programme delivery and quality
- Organizational development outcomes
- Fundraising and donor engagement
- Partnership and ecosystem strengthening
- Partnership and ecosystem strengthening
- Monitoring, evaluation and learning
- Financial management and compliance
- Innovation, knowledge management and representation

📌 Program Heads (Regional) (Imphal)
🏢 Realm of Nature Based Actions (RNBA)
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