Research and Education Manager in Mumbai (Job Vacancy)

UTIF Research and Education Manager

Job Summary:

The University of Toronto (U of T) is renowned globally for its commitment to teaching, research, and entrepreneurship. As a leading institution, U of T fosters innovation and collaboration both domestically and internationally. The U of T India Foundation (UTIF), based in Mumbai, plays a pivotal role in advancing collaborative initiatives between the University of Toronto and Indian institutions/organizations. UTIF's scope includes facilitating partnerships to carry out collaborative research programs in India, with a particular focus on addressing pressing and complex issues in India. Additionally, UTIF is dedicated to supporting and nurturing entrepreneurial endeavors in India while fostering connections between the Indian and Canadian entrepreneurship ecosystems. UTIF works closely with academic and administrative leaders at the University of Toronto to convene researchers, educators, and students in both Canada and India to partner and co-create with Indian practitioners, institutions, civil society organizations, and government bodies to explore and address complex challenges in Indian society.

Your opportunity:

Under the direction of the Country Head and while working collaboratively with the UTIF team managing other portfolios, you will principally support education programs and collaborations between faculty in Toronto and our Indian partners. You will be responsible for activities such as identifying and developing key partnerships; providing administrative support for education programming; supporting, planning, and launching events; and amplifying U of T’s academic reach by networking, promoting, and forging new and innovative educational opportunities for both Indian and Canadian researchers and students.

Additionally, under the direction of the Country Head, while working parallelly with the UTIF Research and Education team and extended team, you will be responsible for overseeing the planning and program delivery of UTIF’s research portfolio. Working closely with research faculty at the University of Toronto and with our institutional partners in India, you will review funding proposals and grant applications, research and analyze partnership opportunities and administer and oversee research funding programs. When specific research projects are being implemented, you will also play a key role in supporting their implementation through strong project management. The incumbent works in a highly dynamic environment that requires a high degree of sensitivity, responsiveness, and a need to maintain strict confidentiality. The incumbent must maintain a high degree of professionalism while interacting with senior administrators, faculty, staff, students, research sponsors government representatives, etc. The incumbent must be a highly motivated and energetic individual who enjoys the challenge of working in a fast-paced environment that encourages creativity, problem-solving and innovation. The incumbent must effectively collaborate with co-workers including those in parallel roles.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Program Development and Implementation

• Work with the Country Head to develop programming strategy, annual plans, and budget for UTIF’s research portfolio.
• Maintain an event calendar for research activities.
• Design, plan, and execute collaborative research programs in India, and capacity-building workshops addressing pressing issues in Indian society.
• Support the launch and convening of problem statement-based research projects.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Work with the Country Head to identify, develop, and manage key partnerships with research partners, academic institutions, and government bodies.
• Build and maintain a robust network of industry and other experts within the Indian and Canadian research and higher education ecosystems.

Program Execution

• Execute collaborative research programs with government departments, academic institutes, and program partners.
• Plan and organize research workshops, seminars, and events.
• Develop and adhere to detailed timelines for program activities to ensure efficient execution.
• Work closely with vendors, external partners and internal teams to meet deadlines, on budget, and resolve any logistical challenges that may arise.

Performance Tracking and Management

• In alignment with UTIF systems, establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess the impact and effectiveness of research programs.
• Conduct detailed data analysis to inform management decision-making.
• Monitor field implementation and resource utilization.
• Provide incubation support to selected research projects.
• Gather feedback from participants and stakeholders to continually improve program offerings

Financial Reporting

• Under the direction of the Country Head, prepare quarterly budget, expense, and program progress reports for UTIF Management.
• Provide input on quarterly planning and estimating financial resources required for research programs or projects with the Country Head.
• Monitor program budgets to ensure expenditures remain within allocated budgets.

Other duties as assigned

• This is a dynamic role and the incumbent will require some flexibility and creativity while working within a small team

Essential Qualifications and Experience:

• Master's Degree in Education, Social Work, Political Science, Public Policy, or closely related field.
• Minimum five years of recent and related experience working with top-tier universities in India to develop experiential learning opportunities, student support, and/or provide research support.
• Experience in stakeholder management, overseeing program, event, and workshop delivery.
• Demonstrated record of building new programs and initiatives from the ground up.
• Ability to write and edit reports and to prepare and present ideas and analysis to a diverse range of audiences.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, networking, and interpersonal skills
• Experience drafting and reviewing research funding grant submissions.
• Strong project management skills.
• Ability to work independently with initiative, discretion, and tact.
• Effective interpersonal style with networking and relationship-building skills.
• Experience working with international partners/organizations.
• Excellent computer skills including office IT systems, Microsoft Office 365, and collaboration tools.
• Willingness to work outside of standard hours in a hybrid work environment within a distributed team across time zones.
• Demonstrated ability to be nimble, work with ambiguity, and solve problems;
• Flexibility to travel to meet regional needs and dynamic program priorities.
• Political acuity and judgment
• Ability to successfully multitask and time manage competing priorities in a busy environment.
• Must demonstrate strong service orientation in dealing with a wide range of people along with knowledge of and sensitivity to various customs and protocols.

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Accountable
• Organized
• Problem solver
• Self-motivated
• Multi-tasker
• Detail oriented
• Able to prioritize
• Able to exercise good judgment, make assessments
• Able to write well in English and concisely summarize information
• Interculturally sensitive

Note: The incumbent must be a Citizen of India. The role is in-person in Mumbai, India.

Salary: 40 to 50 Lakhs per Annum, depending on experience

Deadline to Apply: 5th May 2024

Kindly apply via LinkedIn, including your resume and a cover letter outlining why you would be suitable for this position.

Applications sent through other channels will not be entertained.