Senior Manager - Partner Compliance and Relationship

This role involves managing relationships with regulatory bodies and ensuring compliance across various programmatic and contractual requirements. The position requires regular coordination between government departments and internal teams to facilitate smooth operations related to policies, examinations, academic calendars, payment frameworks, and other program matters. The incumbent will also support project expansion efforts by developing proposals, analyzing data, and collaborating with regional teams to identify and assess potential partner schools.

Key Responsibilities

Relationship Management: Maintain ongoing engagement with regulatory authorities to build strong partnerships, understand their requirements, and respond promptly to queries. Act as a liaison between government entities and internal stakeholders to ensure alignment on contractual obligations and program-related issues.

Project Expansion and Proposal Development: Assist in preparing proposals for expanding existing partnerships by analyzing relevant data, coordinating school assessments with Area and Regional teams, compiling necessary documentation, and submitting proposals within deadlines.

Data Management: Work closely with regulatory bodies and internal teams to ensure accurate and timely data entry on government portals. Monitor data quality, address discrepancies, and coordinate corrective actions to resolve data-related challenges efficiently.

External and Internal Compliance: Support the creation, review, and implementation of policies, procedures, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) in compliance with regulatory standards. Communicate updates on regulatory changes to relevant teams and monitor adherence through regular audits of data, documentation, and field operations. Identify compliance gaps and oversee timely resolution.

Progress Reporting: Coordinate the preparation and submission of periodic reports as required by contracts and government regulations. Collaborate with departments to gather and validate data related to staff and student attendance, assessments, infrastructure, repairs and maintenance, and other program deliverables. Track progress against annual plans and highlight any deviations.

Subsidy Monitoring and Management: Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to optimize the per-child subsidy received from regulatory bodies. Analyze monthly subsidy trends, identify influencing factors, and implement corrective measures as needed.

Field Visits: Conduct regular visits to schools to assess implementation challenges, verify compliance, and facilitate prompt resolution of issues.

Team Training: Develop and deliver orientation and training programs for area and school teams focused on compliance requirements. Provide refresher sessions and reorientations whenever there are changes in regulations or policies.

Advisor on Policy Compliance: Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on legal and technical matters related to compliance with major government decisions.

Required Qualifications

- Master’s degree in management, law, or a related field is mandatory.
- 5-7 years of experience managing large-scale donor-funded projects, with a preference for candidates having compliance experience.
- Strong interpersonal skills to effectively engage with multiple stakeholders.
- In-depth understanding of local regulatory frameworks, including government acts and service rules.
- Proficiency in conflict management, risk assessment, and mitigation.
- Advanced data analysis and reporting skills, with strong command over Excel, PowerPoint, and emerging digital tools.

This position offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of education, government compliance, and project management, contributing to impactful programs that require meticulous coordination and regulatory adherence.