Application Guide

How to Apply for Chief Programme Officer

at Breakthrough Trust

🏢 About Breakthrough Trust

Breakthrough Trust is a pioneering organization focused on gender justice and equity in India, using innovative media and community mobilization to drive social change. Their unique approach combines grassroots activism with strategic communications to challenge gender norms and promote human rights. Working here offers the opportunity to lead transformative programs that directly impact gender equality across diverse communities.

About This Role

As Chief Programme Officer, you'll be responsible for aligning all programmatic work with Breakthrough Trust's strategic vision while leading vertical teams to meet objectives, timelines, and resource requirements. This role is impactful because you'll shape gender justice initiatives across India, secure funding through donor relationships, and bring new strategic ideas to advance the organization's mission.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day involves strategic meetings with vertical leads to review program progress against objectives, collaborating with the Resource Mobilisation team on donor proposals and budgets, and representing program verticals in external engagements. You might analyze program data from different Indian states, develop strategic recommendations for gender justice initiatives, and mentor team leads on aligning their work with organizational vision.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Breakthrough Trust Is Looking For

  • Has 20+ years experience with at least 10 years in strategic program leadership roles, preferably in gender justice or human rights organizations
  • Demonstrates proven success leading large, diverse, remote teams in complex program environments
  • Possesses exceptional strategic thinking combined with persuasive communication and negotiation skills for donor relations
  • Shows genuine passion for gender equity through previous work, publications, or advocacy efforts

📝 Tips for Applying to Breakthrough Trust

1

Quantify your 20+ years experience with specific metrics: number of programs led, team sizes managed, budget amounts overseen, and gender justice outcomes achieved

2

Highlight experience with remote team management in India's diverse regional contexts, mentioning specific states or communities where you've worked

3

Connect your strategic program leadership directly to Breakthrough Trust's media-based approach to gender justice

4

Demonstrate knowledge of India's gender justice landscape by referencing specific campaigns, policies, or challenges relevant to Breakthrough's work

5

Show how you've previously integrated fundraising with program strategy, not just treated them as separate functions

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your strategic vision for aligning programs with Breakthrough's gender justice mission in the Indian context", 'Specific examples of leading large, diverse teams to achieve program objectives within timelines and budgets', 'Experience collaborating with resource mobilization teams on successful proposals and donor communications', 'How your passion for gender equity has translated into measurable program impact in previous roles']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Breakthrough Trust's specific campaigns like 'Bell Bajao' or 'What Kind of Man Are You?' and their impact metrics
  • → The organization's funding partners and recent programmatic priorities in different Indian states
  • → India's current gender justice landscape, including relevant policies, movements, and challenges Breakthrough addresses
  • → Breakthrough's leadership team and their backgrounds in media, activism, and program implementation

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you ensure program alignment with Breakthrough's strategic vision while managing multiple vertical leads?
2 Describe your approach to managing remote teams across different Indian states with diverse cultural contexts
3 How have you successfully collaborated with fundraising teams to secure resources for gender justice programs?
4 What new strategic ideas would you bring to advance Breakthrough's gender equity work in India?
5 How do you measure program success in complex gender justice initiatives with long-term social change goals?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Generic applications that don't specifically address gender justice or Breakthrough's unique media-based approach
  • Focusing only on program management experience without demonstrating strategic leadership at organizational level
  • Failing to show understanding of India's diverse regional contexts where Breakthrough operates

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Breakthrough Trust!

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