Impact At Scale Demands Strong Program Leadership
The Results-Based Program Management (RBPM) is a three-month certificate program that empowers professionals managing social development programs with the skills & capabilities to plan, track, and deliver lasting outcomes at scale.
Because Resources Alone Don’t Create Outcomes
Every year, over $250 billion is committed in India to social development programs. Yet too often, programs struggle to translate investment into clear, measurable results. What determines results is how programs are designed, managed, monitored and adapted in complex, real-world contexts.
The RBPM certificate program was created to help organisations strengthen governance and compliance as everyday practice, not just policy—enabling them to scale with stability and trust.
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Many programs track activities or outputs like workshops held, or meals served. The results-based program management approach shifts the focus to outcomes: the real changes achieved in people’s lives.
Strong programs don’t run on passion alone. They require planning, systems, coordination, data, and leadership that can hold complexity.
Many development sector professionals learn program management on the job—without structured frameworks, peer learning or sector-specific context.
This program provides that structure, grounded in the development realities of India.
Building The Capability To Deliver Results
The RBPM certificate program blends conceptual clarity with applied learning over three months. The participants get to understand results-based approaches and apply them across the program lifecycle.
The program consists of four modules, each strengthening a core dimension of results-based program leadership.
This module introduces development paradigms and the logic of results-based approaches. Participants examine how RBPM differs from traditional program management and explore different typologies of results in social change initiatives.
Participants learn to design interventions using systems thinking. The module covers Situation Analysis, Theory Of Change, Theory Of Action, and Program Theory Matrices that connect intent, strategy and outcomes.
This module focuses on applying RBPM across various stages while maintaining alignment between actions and results. The stages include program initiation, planning, resource allocation, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation, and closure.
The final module builds leadership capabilities essential for program success. It includes stakeholder management, prioritisation, data-informed decision-making, team leadership, and communication.
Results-Oriented Frameworks
Tools and approaches to design, manage, and adapt programs toward measurable outcomes.
Applied Learning
Case discussions and group projects grounded in real development contexts.
Instructor-led Live Sessions
Interactive virtual sessions with experienced pracademics and experts.
Coaching And Mentorship
Customised support from program mentors to help translate learning into practice.
Who Should Apply
This program is designed for professionals who want to strengthen their program and project management skills within the development sector.
What You Will Gain
By the end of the program, you are equipped to design, manage and lead results-focused programs.
Learning With Peers Delivering Outcomes
Each cohort brings together professionals working across the development ecosystem including NGOs, foundations, CSR teams, social enterprises and international organisations.
Classroom discussions, group work and peer exchange are enriched by the varied contexts participants bring. It helps surface trade-offs, challenge assumptions and deepen understanding of what it takes to deliver results in real-world settings.
Top Sectors Represented
Companies Represented
Faculty & Partners
Asra is a finance and governance professional with over a decade of cross-sectoral experience spanning corporate, nonprofit, and development organisations. She currently works at the Financial Management Service Foundation (FMSF), where she supports nonprofits in translating complex donor and statutory requirements into practical systems. Her work focuses on strengthening governance, financial management, and organisational systems through capacity building, research, and knowledge dissemination. She has designed and facilitated numerous national and international workshops, webinars, and online courses on governance, compliance, and internal control systems, reaching nonprofit professionals across geographies.
In addition to training, Asra has managed multi-country grants, conducted organisational due diligence, and contributed to sectoral publications and e-journals. She is the co-author of Shielding the Mission: A Practical Guide to Risk Management for NPOs and writes extensively on nonprofit accountability, governance standards, financial management, and compliance. Known for simplifying complex concepts, she enables organisations to build robust systems, enhance transparency, and strengthen stakeholder trust.
Education: MBA in Accounting and Finance, Amity University; Chartered Accountancy, Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI).
Dr Garima Sharma has over 12 years of experience in the social development sector, with a focus on self-help groups (SHGs), micro-credit, and micro-financing. She has worked on implementing development projects with organisations such as UNDP, NABARD, and Rashtriya Mahila Kosh under the Ministry of Women and Child Development. Her work combines grassroots development practice with research and program design.
She has also been actively involved in academia, teaching at Delhi University and at the School of Continuing Education, IGNOU. At IGNOU, she contributed to developing a Diploma program in Event Management and a MOOC titled Communication and Extension for Sustainable Development.
Naghma has approximately 25 years of experience of working and consulting with Social Purpose Organisations and teaching at reputed institutions. Currently, she is part of the founding team and board of Rubaroo, Hyderabad, Trustee of Had Anhad, Indore, and Director, Social Synergy Foundation, Mumbai. The first two organisations work with adolescents and young people to empower them to be active citizens, whereas the Social Synergy Foundation works with small and medium-sized non-profits in India.
Her field experience has strengthened her teaching both graduate and post graduate students in the Delhi School of Social Work, School of Planning & Architecture, Ambedkar University and University of Pittsburgh. Her forte is designing and facilitating learning experiences. Through her work with Pravah, she has mentored many young people and youth-led organisations across nations.
Saiju is a development practitioner with over 23 years of experience across the non-profit and social development sector. His work spans learning and development, results-based program management (RBPM), independent program evaluations, and institutional development. He brings deep expertise in curriculum design and facilitation, utilisation-focused evaluations, and strengthening the capacities of organisations and practitioners through context-responsive and impact-driven approaches.
Saiju is known for delivering strategic and technical support that enhances organisational performance, accountability, and program effectiveness. His work includes designing and delivering professional training programs, facilitating community-led processes such as micro-planning, and supporting institutional strengthening through assessments, strategic planning, and systems development.
Education: MA in Social Work (Personnel Management & Labour Welfare), Bhopal School of Social Sciences.
Sanjit has over 15 years of experience working in various social purpose organizations. He has worked in the domains of Education, Disability, Livelihood and Healthcare.
Previously, Sajit was a part of Resource Mobilization, and Program management for livelihood projects across 17 states in India. His expertise also includes initiating and managing Grants. He also maintains donor relationships with National and International Organisations.
As part of his current responsibilities, Sajit is working to build knowledge infrastructure in collaboration with other teams. He ensures that there are no bottlenecks in the transfer of knowledge to students. Sajit also maintains and helps evolve a functional 'Learning Management System’.
Sanjit has over 15 years of experience working in various social purpose organizations. He has worked in the domains of Education, Disability, Livelihood and Healthcare.
Previously, Sajit was a part of Resource Mobilization, and Program management for livelihood projects across 17 states in India. His expertise also includes initiating and managing Grants. He also maintains donor relationships with National and International Organisations.
As part of his current responsibilities, Sajit is working to build knowledge infrastructure in collaboration with other teams. He ensures that there are no bottlenecks in the transfer of knowledge to students. Sajit also maintains and helps evolve a functional 'Learning Management System’.
Education: Sajit has a graduate degree in Physics from Mumbai University and a PGDM in Voluntary Service Organisation from NMIMS.
Shwetank is a social development consultant, trainer, and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience working across the corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors. His work spans capacity building, leadership development, organisational development, child rights, inclusion, sustainable livelihoods, and governance. He currently serves as a Long-Term Consultant with the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and leads capacities, training, and project assessments at Taal Beehive, while also contributing to governance and strategy as a board member for several NGOs.
A leadership trainer at the Indian School of Development Management (ISDM), Shwetank has worked with a wide range of stakeholders—from grassroots organisations and community groups to government agencies and corporates. His facilitation approach blends experiential learning, reflective practices, and diverse philosophical frameworks. As an entrepreneur, he also runs The Spot in Ranchi, reflecting his belief in socially inclusive business. Known for his people-centric approach, he is committed to enabling individuals and organisations to grow with authenticity and purpose.
Education: Master’s in Economics, Delhi School of Economics; trained in human behaviour process work (ISABS) and certified Organisation Development practitioner.
Simrita is an educator with over 14 years of experience in teaching and curriculum development across diverse learning environments, including private, low-budget, government, and alternative schools. She has taught history and has extensive experience designing, implementing, and monitoring early and primary education curricula.
Her work includes training teachers and school leaders, leading multi-grade multi-level programs in government schools in Goa, and contributing to curriculum design for community schools in Ivory Coast. She has also developed instructional design and curriculum strategies with organisations such as Gubbachi, Guardians of Dreams, and Language Learning Foundation, and authored social science textbooks for publishers including Oxford University Press. Outside of work, she enjoys fostering cats, reading children’s literature, and aspires to live a zero-waste lifestyle.
Education: Master's in History from Delhi University; Master's in Education from Azim Premji University
Enrolments Open For New Cohort
Build the capability to lead programs that deliver results
Frequently Asked Questions
This program is designed for:
- Professionals looking to build a career in program and project management, including roles such as Program Managers, Project Coordinators, District Leads, and State Heads.
- Professionals interested in programmatic work who are ready to take on managerial responsibilities.
- Individuals who want to strengthen their management and leadership skills in program and project environments.
The program runs for 3 months and includes 60 hours of learning. All sessions are conducted online through live, instructor-led classes.
70 hours of the program are instructor-led, which includes 8 hours of mentoring sessions. Participants are also expected to spend 12–15 hours on self-learning, including readings and preparation outside of class.
Yes, participants are required to complete assignments during the program.
Assignments will include group-based discussions, calls, and collaborative activities. These tasks will be tied to the topics covered in each module and will be assigned throughout the program.
Peer learning will take place through real-world, group-based projects where participants collaborate, exchange perspectives, and work together to solve practical challenges.
Participants will receive a certificate upon successfully completing all program requirements, including attendance, assignments, and participation in program activities.
Fee for this program is INR 60,000 (plus 18% GST).
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