About Pratham
Pratham Education Foundation (Pratham) is one of the largest education NGOs in India with a record of innovative, rigorously evaluated programs that have inspired similar programs across three continents. With a history spanning 30 years, Pratham’s work today extends from programs for early and elementary years to girls and women, and youth skilling. Through programs covering 25 states and Union Territories, in an average year, Pratham usually reaches over 6 million children and youth. This is achieved through a combination of efforts: directly working with children and youth in communities, as well as through collaborations with state and district-level governments.
Pratham has received notable awards such as the Lui Che Woo Prize, WISE Prize for Innovation, Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship, the Henry R Kravis Prize in Leadership and the CNN-IBN Indian of the Year for Public Service. Pratham also received the 2021 Yidan Prize for Education Development and the Yashraj Bharati Samman in 2025.
For more details, refer to www.pratham.org
Pratham in the Northeast
Pratham has worked in Assam since 2007. Alongside its direct programs, Pratham also partners with the Government of Assam to implement a statewide Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) program for children in Grades 3 to 5. Assam remains the anchor of our work in the Northeast, providing both scale and opportunities to learn and innovate.
Beyond Assam, Pratham has established a growing presence through direct programs and government partnerships in Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, and Tripura. These states represent the next frontier for our work, where we see significant opportunities to deepen impact and build long-term partnerships.
The Northeast is a strategic priority for Pratham. Its diverse geographies, languages, and community contexts require approaches that are locally rooted while drawing on Pratham’s broader experience. The regional team is relatively small, but the mandate is ambitious. This creates an opportunity for the person in this role to play a meaningful part in shaping Pratham’s growth, strengthening partnerships, and building sustainable education programs across the region over the coming years.
About the Role
As Program Associate, you will sit at the centre of Pratham’s growth in the Northeast. You will work closely with the Pratham leadership team in Assam, current and prospective donors, local partner organisations, and district and state government officials. The role brings together partnership development, donor management, program tracking, and documentation. It suits someone who wants breadth, writes well, and is energised by building things that do not yet exist.
Partnerships and fundraising
- Write proposals, concept notes, and letters of interest for prospective and existing partnerships with donors, local organisations, and government bodies.
- Facilitate discussions and brainstorming sessions on potential partnerships and prepare the material that supports them.
- Track the external landscape in the Northeast, including funding trends, government priorities, and the work of other organisations, and assess where it aligns with Pratham’s program structures.
Donor management and reporting
- Serve as a coordination point for donors supporting work in the Northeast, and prepare regular, accurate progress reports.
- Lead periodic conversations with donors on program updates, results, and future planning.
- Work with program and finance colleagues to make sure reporting, budgets, and program reality stay aligned.
Program tracking and knowledge management
- Track implementation closely with the program team and give leadership regular updates on progress, insights, opportunities, and areas needing course correction.
- Document how the work is being implemented across states and build a usable body of knowledge that new states and teams can draw on.
- Translate field observations and data into clear written material for internal and external audiences.
Networks and field presence
- Travel extensively across the Northeast to build relationships with likeminded organisations, local governments, and community institutions.
- Spend time in the field with children, communities, and teams, since credibility in this role comes from knowing the work firsthand.
Who We Are Looking For
Essential
- At least 2 to 3 years of work experience, preferably in a non-profit organisation, management consulting, or with government systems.
- Hands-on experience of program implementation, with time spent in the field working directly with communities, schools, or government systems.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, with the ability to write clearly for donors and government audiences.
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, and comfort working with program data.
- High proficiency in Google Sheets, Docs, and Slides.
- Ability to take ownership of work streams and carry them from start to finish with limited supervision.
- Ability to work with diverse stakeholder groups in a fast-paced environment, and comfort with ambiguity and shifting priorities.
- Willingness to be based in Guwahati, spend considerable time in the field across the Northeastern states, and commit to at least 3 to 4 years with Pratham.
Desirable
- Candidates who are from the Northeast, or who have lived and worked in the region, are preferred, given the importance of local context in this role.
- A master’s degree or equivalent in Development Studies, International Development, or a related discipline.
- Candidates with a background in Management or Economics are also encouraged to apply.
- Working knowledge of Assamese, Hindi, or another language of the region.
- Prior experience with proposal writing, donor reporting, or government engagement.
What the Role Offers
- A direct hand in shaping Pratham’s growth across a region where the work is still being built.
- Close working exposure to senior leadership, donors, and government partners.
- Deep field engagement alongside strategy and partnership work.
- Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Location: Guwahati, Assam, with extensive travel across the Northeast.
Reports to: State Head, Assam and the Northeast leadership team.
Experience: At least 2 to 3 years of relevant work experience.
Employment type: Full-time
How to Apply
Email your application to assam@pratham.org with the subject line “Application for Program Associate, Northeast”. Please attach your CV and a statement of purpose of under 500 words explaining why you are suited to this role and why the Northeast interests you.
Your CV should include:
- Contact information
- Academic background, including institutions attended, degrees earned, and academic record
- Past work experience, with relevant skills highlighted
- Relevant coursework in development, management, or education
- Any experience in development, teaching, or education
- Languages spoken
Selection process
Shortlisted candidates will go through the following stages:
- A first round of interviews.
- A written assignment for candidates who clear the first round.
- A field visit, to see the work firsthand and to let us see how you engage with it.
- A final round of interviews.
Note: Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we will not be able to provide individual responses to every applicant. We will reach out only to shortlisted candidates. We appreciate your understanding and patience.
