Roles in this cluster include program officer, M&E specialist, finance & admin, partnerships & communications. These are the backbone roles in NGOs and donor projects that ensure programme delivery, compliance and scaling. Large NGOs and donors have structured career ladders from field officer → program manager → senior management.
Program Management & NGO Operations
Persona (Who suits this career best?)
Minimum Required Qualification
Organised, deadline-oriented and good with people
Comfortable with budgets, reporting and stakeholder management
Able to coach field teams and present to funders
Graduation in any stream
Stream of Study
Entry Pathways
General; management or development studies-related courses preffered
Through any fellowship program like Teach For India, Gandhi Fellowship, SBI Young India Fellowship, etc post graduation (in any field).
Bachelor’s/Master's (Social Work, Development Studies/Management, management or development studies-related courses)
Average Starting Salary
Program officer / field officer: ₹20,000 – ₹50,000/month.
Program manager / senior specialist: ₹40,000 – ₹1,00,000+/month Depending on the organisation, donor funding and experience. NGO senior management roles pay higher.