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All About Social Work Job Roles

Are you exploring career opportunities in the NGO sector or wondering what kinds of job roles are available for social workers in India? The development sector offers a diverse range of impactful careers beyond just fieldwork — from programme management and fundraising to communications, finance, and even social media. Whether you’re a student of social work, a fresh graduate, or a professional looking to switch to the non-profit space, understanding these roles — including required qualifications, essential skills, salary expectations, and growth paths — can help you make an informed decision. In this guide, we break down 10 popular NGO job roles along with upskilling tips and cues from YSWN’s career services to help you land the role that’s right for you.

🔹 1. Field Coordinator / Community Mobilizer

What They Do:
Work at the grassroots level — identify and mobilize beneficiaries, conduct field activities, and bridge communication between the community and the organization.

Qualifications Required:

  • Bachelor’s in Social Work, Rural Development, Sociology
  • PG preferred for faster growth

Hard Skills:

  • Basic reporting, MS Word/Excel
  • Data collection tools (KoBoToolbox, ODK)
  • Local language fluency

Soft Skills:

  • Empathy, listening, patience
  • Community engagement and trust-building

Pay Range (India): ₹12,000–₹20,000 (Entry) | ₹22,000–₹30,000 (2–3 yrs exp)
Career Growth: Field Supervisor → Project Officer → Programme Officer

🧭 How to Upskill:

🔹 2. Programme Officer / Executive

What They Do:
Coordinate day-to-day project execution, handle documentation, monitor field activities, and report outcomes to managers/donors.

Qualifications Required:

  • PG in Social Work, Public Policy, Development Studies
  • Or UG + strong field background

Hard Skills:

  • Project monitoring tools (logframe, Gantt charts)
  • Reporting, budgeting basics

Soft Skills:

  • Coordination, time management
  • Team support, communication

Pay Range: ₹25,000–₹40,000
Career Growth: Programme Manager → Thematic Lead → State Head

🧭 How to Upskill:

🔹 3. Programme Manager

What They Do:
Lead programme teams, supervise implementation, manage donor communication, oversee budgets, and ensure alignment with organizational goals.

Qualifications Required:

  • PG in Social Work, Development Management, Public Admin
  • 4–6 yrs sector experience

Hard Skills:

  • Budgeting, strategic planning
  • Donor reporting, proposal evaluation

Soft Skills:

  • Leadership, team building
  • Decision-making, negotiation

Pay Range: ₹50,000–₹1.5L+ depending on NGO size
Career Growth: Regional Head → Director → COO

🧭 How to Upskill:

🔹 4. Fundraiser / Grant Writer

What They Do:
Research grant opportunities, write proposals, pitch to donors, build funder relationships, and ensure financial sustainability of programmes.

Qualifications Required:

  • PG in Social Work, Development Studies, Communications
  • Writing/marketing background helps

Hard Skills:

  • Proposal writing, budgeting
  • Donor CRM tools (Salesforce, HubSpot)

Soft Skills:

  • Persuasive writing
  • Research and deadline discipline

Pay Range: ₹35,000–₹1L+
Career Growth: Fundraising Lead → Development Manager → Head of Partnerships

🧭 How to Upskill:

  • Practice writing LOIs/proposals — volunteer with small NGOs
  • Want feedback? yswn offers Proposal Review Support (coming soon)

🔹 5. Social Media Manager

What They Do:
Plan, create, and manage content for social media to raise awareness, attract donors, and tell impact stories.

Qualifications Required:

  • UG/PG in Mass Comm, Social Work, or any creative field
  • Experience with content creation preferred

Hard Skills:

  • Canva, Meta Business Suite, Instagram Reels
  • Scheduling tools (Buffer, Hootsuite)

Soft Skills:

  • Storytelling, consistency
  • Trend awareness, creativity

Pay Range: ₹25,000–₹60,000
Career Growth: Digital Marketing Lead → Communications Head

🧭 How to Upskill:

🔹 6. Impact Communications Manager

What They Do:
Translate field stories and data into impact reports, donor decks, and public communication — combining storytelling and strategy.

Qualifications Required:

  • PG in Social Work, Journalism, Development Comm
  • Writing/design portfolio is key

Hard Skills:

  • Report design (Canva, PowerPoint, Adobe Express)
  • Data visualization, photography, video editing

Soft Skills:

  • Storytelling, synthesis, visual thinking
  • Collaborating with field teams

Pay Range: ₹40,000–₹1L+
Career Growth: Comms Head → Brand Strategist

🧭 How to Upskill:

🔹 7. Admin & Finance Officer

What They Do:
Handle budgets, process bills, manage expenses, assist in audits, and support operations for programme delivery.

Qualifications Required:

  • B.Com / M.Com / MBA Finance
  • NGO accounting knowledge preferred

Hard Skills:

  • Tally, Excel, accounting norms (FCRA, 80G)
  • Budget forecasting, MIS

Soft Skills:

  • Accuracy, integrity
  • Time management

Pay Range: ₹25,000–₹60,000
Career Growth: Finance Manager → Director (Finance & Admin)

🧭 How to Upskill:

  • Learn NGO finance compliance via online courses
  • Build a LinkedIn presence as a sector finance expert using yswn tools

🔹 8. Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Officer

What They Do:
Track project outcomes, design indicators, conduct field evaluations, and analyze data for impact reporting.

Qualifications Required:

  • PG in Statistics, Social Work, Public Policy
  • Certification in M&E is a plus

Hard Skills:

  • Logical Framework Approach, SPSS, Excel
  • Survey tools (Kobo, SurveyCTO)

Soft Skills:

  • Analytical thinking, curiosity
  • Field validation & documentation

Pay Range: ₹35,000–₹80,000
Career Growth: M&E Manager → Head of Strategy or Impact

🧭 How to Upskill:

🔹 9. HR / People & Culture Executive

What They Do:
Support recruitment, team engagement, performance reviews, training, and foster healthy work culture in NGOs.

Qualifications Required:

  • UG/PG in HR, Psychology, Social Work
  • Training/HR internships preferred

Hard Skills:

  • HR software (ZohoHR, Keka)
  • Performance appraisal formats, HR policies

Soft Skills:

  • Conflict resolution, empathy
  • Team-building, neutrality

Pay Range: ₹25,000–₹60,000
Career Growth: HR Manager → Director HR

🧭 How to Upskill:

🔹 10. CSR Executive / Coordinator

What They Do:
Work on the corporate side to identify CSR partners, design CSR strategies, vet NGOs, and track programme outcomes.

Qualifications Required:

  • MBA, PGDM, or MSW with exposure to corporate partnerships

Hard Skills:

  • CSR regulations (Companies Act)
  • Proposal review, budgeting

Soft Skills:

  • Client handling, formal presentation
  • Pitching and negotiation

Pay Range: ₹40,000–₹1.2L
Career Growth: CSR Manager → CSR Head

🧭 How to Upskill:

💡 Final Thoughts

The development sector is vast — whether you’re a field worker or finance nerd, creative communicator or people person, there’s a role for you.

👉 If you’re confused where you fit or how to start, drop us a message. yswn offers:

  • Resume & LinkedIn strategy kits
  • 1:1 mentorship
  • Volunteer opportunities
  • Portfolio support
  • Daily social sector quizzes and blogs

Let’s help you get the job you’re meant to do ❤️

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