High Quality
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Job Title: Communications and Research AssociateJob Status:
Full Time
Application Deadline:
May 20, 2009 (See Application Instructions)
About Gray Matters Capital Foundation:
Gray Matters Capital Foundation (GMC), the charitable arm of Gray Ghost Ventures
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, usesphilanthropic capital to research and co-create initiatives with partners in developing countries to buildsustainable, replicable business models for the benefit of underserved populations. One of GMC’sfocus areas is to increase the access to and quality of primary and secondary education for the poorin India.
Focus: Affordable Private Schools (APSs) in Hyderabad, India
GMC believes that access to quality education can provide new opportunities and significantlyimprove lives. Many countries are facing severe problems with their government-run educationsystem due to limited resources and multiple layers of bureaucracy resulting in ineffective learningenvironments. As a result, privately owned schools for low-income families have been started byeducational entrepreneurs. Families become paying clients with rights to insist on quality. Theygenerate market demand and drive intense competition through school selection. Because theseschools are social enterprises, they put an emphasis on quality, efficiency and performance, justifyingthe modest tuition charged that allow them to become sustainable enterprises. The combinedbusiness and academic model makes these schools a market-based solution to increase access andquality of education and provides parents with a viable alternative to ineffective government schools.
Approach: APS Ecosystem Development
GMC’s goal is to strengthen the ecosystem around the emerging affordable private school sector toensure that schools have access to affordable tools and resources that allow them to offer qualityeducation in a sustainable manner. We want to support schools in their quest to keep learning at theforefront of the business model, believing that quality is a key driver of viability
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The ecosystemconsists of a network of stakeholders including school owners/principals, teachers, parents andstudents working with external partners such as education service providers, donors, investors, andregulators.We will fortify the ecosystem by focusing on the following strategic objectives: (1) Quality Teachingand Learning, (2) Management Leadership, (3) Infrastructure Development, (4) AdvancingKnowledge, and (5) Transparency.
Philosophy: Social Enterprise
Sustainability is the cornerstone of GMC interventions. Activities are prioritized according to marketdemand and will not undermine the market-based models. Over the long run, it is our vision thatschool owners will recognize the benefits and adopt these new methods as part of doing businesswell. Therefore, they will incorporate the costs of the tools into their expenses without compromisingfinancial viability.
Impact
By incorporating social enterprise philosophy into its ecosystem building initiatives, GMC aims toincrease learning outcomes in 1,000 affordable private schools in Hyderabad, AP by 2011. Once ascalable and impactful model is developed and tested successfully
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Since 1996, Gray Ghost Ventures has worked to foster strategic innovation by incubating and investing in enterprises andtools to provide market-based solutions to social issues. Through the initiatives of its investment activities and charitablefoundations, The Rockdale Foundation and Gray Matters Capital Foundation (GMC), Gray Ghost Ventures has improvedcapacity of the microfinance industry in the Arab world, supported successful reform efforts in the Atlanta Public Schools, andcreated the first privately-held global microfinance investment portfolio and social venture capital fund, offering both financialand social returns.
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Job Summary:
GMC is seeking an experienced communications associate who is excited by the challenge ofdeveloping a comprehensive public relations campaign that drives consensus for quality standardsand attracts more stakeholders to the APS market. The ideal candidate will thrive in a start-upenvironment, and bring leadership and expertise in print and online media, PR, marketing, and brandmanagement. The Communications and Research Associate will play a critical role in establishingGMC’s presence and market leadership in the Indian education sector.
Responsibilities and Tasks:Public Relations/Communications:
Cultivate a public relations network of print, online, TV, and radio contacts
Write and disseminate press releases and human interest stories capturing the progress ofthe APS market and its stakeholders
Aggregate data and findings in a bi-annual public report that sets benchmarks and holds APSstakeholders accountable to student and school performance
Support Program Officer in developing and executing a stakeholder engagement strategy
Manage external communications utilizing stakeholder appropriate media tools:
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Schools: Oversee industry newsletter
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Stakeholders: Create an online distribution channel for APS news and research
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GMC: Establish social networking spaces to increase collaborative thought partnership
Research Agenda:
Collaborate with the Program Officer on developing a research agenda that explores bestpractices, identifies gaps, and advocates opportunities
Polish research findings for public circulation and standardize dissemination process
Partner on data collection and writing of case studies
Strengthen relationships and assess partnerships with research institutes, consulting firms,and market research vendors
Brand Management:
Establish GMC brand and oversee marketing in India
Develop print collateral, press packages, and common templates for distribution
Serve as a liaison to the GMC’s Enterprising Schools awareness initiative
Event Planning:
Oversee logistics and PR materials for leadership conferences, symposiums, and socialaction workshops.
Skills:
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Ability to write professionally for an international audience
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Proficient use of design software (Illustrator, Photoshop etc), web site development, andsocial networking tools
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Comfortable working in both low income communities and corporate environments
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Strong self-motivation, enthusiasm, the ability to work cross-culturally
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Superior organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks
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Excellent listening skills, and strong written and communication skills
Qualifications
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BA level degree or equivalent in relevant field and minimum 4 years work experience
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Strong background in communications, marketing, brand management, research and publicrelations
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Telugu/Hindi language (spoken)
Working Conditions:
Position will be based in Hyderabad, India and will require frequent visits to low income communities.The GMC culture is results-oriented and similar to a start-up. A competitive Indian salary and benefitspackage (medical and dental insurance, life and disability insurance) will be provided.
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