Rahul Minj

Development professional with 4+ years of experience in child protection, kinship care, family strengthening and programme management. Currently serving as Assistant Village Director – Kinship Care Programme with SOS Children’s Villages India, with responsibility for programme implementation across 13 districts, supporting 500 children and 265 families, coordinating 6 co-workers and 115 mentors, and monitoring an annual programme portfolio of approximately ₹1.5 crore. Experienced in government coordination, case management, safeguarding, education and youth development, team supervision, programme monitoring, financial oversight and reporting.

Programme outcomes supported include reduced school dropout, improved employment outcomes, increased first-time salary levels, and strengthened English communication, digital literacy and life-skills development.

Assistant Village Director (AVD) – Kinship Care Programme at SOS CHILDREN’S VILLAGES INDIA (2025-04 – Present)

Programme Scope: 13 districts | 500 children | 265 families | 6 co-workers | 115 mentors | ₹1.5 crore annual programme portfolio

• Lead Kinship Care Programme implementation across 13 districts, ensuring programme objectives, quality standards, safeguarding requirements, indicators and service-delivery timelines are achieved.
• Oversee programme support for 500 children and 265 families, with a focus on family strengthening, child protection, education, health, well-being and transition to independent adulthood.
• Coordinate and provide programme leadership to 6 co-workers and 115 mentors through performance reviews, field support, capacity building, programme monitoring and accountability.
• Oversee identification, assessment and ongoing support of vulnerable children, including implementation and review of individual care plans, case interventions and child protection measures.
• Coordinate with District Probation Officers, Child Welfare Committees, District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) officials and other government stakeholders to strengthen case support, programme implementation and access to relevant government schemes.
• Represent SOS Children’s Villages India in district- and state-level forums and build partnerships with educational institutions, healthcare providers, NGOs and community organisations.
• Monitor education interventions covering school support, tuition, higher education, vocational training, scholarships, admissions and career development, contributing to reduced school dropout incidence.
• Strengthen pathways to employability and economic independence for youth, contributing to improved employment outcomes and increased first-time salary levels.
• Strengthen youth development through English communication, digital literacy and life-skills interventions, supporting readiness for education, employment and independent living.
• Oversee health and well-being interventions, including preventive check-ups, referrals, treatment follow-up and additional support for children requiring health assistance.
• Monitor and review an annual programme portfolio of approximately ₹1.5 crore, including utilisation, intervention requests, supporting documentation, financial compliance and timely payment processing.
• Prepare and review monthly, quarterly and annual programme reports, analyse programme data, track indicators and present achievements, challenges and recommendations to management.
• Conduct field visits, case reviews and quality monitoring to strengthen programme delivery and ensure compliance with organisational policies, safeguarding standards and donor/government requirements.
• Plan and facilitate caregiver capacity-building and community engagement initiatives focused on positive parenting, child rights, adolescent development and family strengthening.

Senior Co-worker – Education at SOS CHILDREN’S VILLAGE BHOPAL (2022-07 – 2025-03)

• Managed educational planning and monitoring for children and youth, including academic progress tracking and support for higher education and vocational pathways.
• Identified suitable educational institutions and opportunities for vocational training and higher education based on the needs and aspirations of children and youth.
• Planned and coordinated workshops and developmental activities for children in collaboration with external agencies.
• Supported overall management of the home, including finances, sponsorship coordination, logistics and documentation.
• Identified vulnerable children and supported efforts to ensure safe, protective and child-centred care environments.
• Built collaboration with partner NGOs to support family tracing, family restoration and child-focused interventions.
• Facilitated sessions on Positive Youth Development, resilience and character building.

Customer Care Executive at OPTON INFOCOM LIMITED (2017-02 – 2017-12)

• Managed customer requirements, product and service information, and issue resolution while adhering to organisational protocols.
• Supported customer engagement and contributed to effective communication approaches within the team.

Field / Internship Experience at TATA STEEL FOUNDATION (TSF)

2 Months

• Conducted research and documentation on tribal cultural artists, government schemes, socio-economic conditions and stakeholder perspectives.

Field / Internship Experience at DEVELOPMENT CONNECT

1 Month

• Conducted baseline surveys and community engagement in remote villages covering household demographics, education, health, income and living conditions.

Field / Internship Experience at CHILD RIGHTS AND YOU (CRY)

6 Weeks

• Developed training modules for Village Child Protection Committees covering child marriage, child sexual abuse, trafficking and child labour; supported fundraising and community education activities.

Field / Internship Experience at LITTLEBIGHELP INDIA TRUST

15 Days

• Supported training-module development, fundraising and educational support initiatives for underprivileged children.

Field Placement with Block Development Officer at ANGARA BLOCK

10 Days

• Gained practical exposure to NRLM, MGNREGA and PMAY implementation, monitoring and community-level development challenges.

Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) in Rural Management – XAVIER INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL SERVICE (XISS), RANCHI (2020 – 2022)

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology – ST. XAVIER’S COLLEGE, NORTH BENGAL (2016 – 2019)