Job Description:
About CEGIS
Centre for Effective Governance of Indian States (CEGIS pronounced See-Jis) aims toimprove lives by helping Indian state governments deliver better development outcomes. The four key characteristics of any high-performing organisation are (a) measuring outcomes through reliable, high quality data that enables goal setting and monitoring progress towards these goals; (b) strategic use of personnel competency based hiring and training, skilling, and performance appraisals to determine job assignments, pay, and promotions to achieve the goals above; (c) strategic budgeting where resource allocation is based on evidence and cost-effectiveness; (d) and creating efficient systems to leverage external actors (including for-profit and nonprofit organisations). The Indian state performs weakly on all four fronts above, thus limiting its capacity. CEGIS helps to improve the functioning of the Indian state by focusing on the four principles above.
We believe that,
(a) by strengthening systems and enhancing the States capacity, we will be able to ensure the delivery of better outcomes to Indian citizens.
(b) improving the effectiveness of public expenditure is the most optimised way of achieving improved development outcomes at scale, and
(c) there is a clear need for an organisation that will systematically support this mission.
We work with the State Governments of India to enable a transformative improvement in their functioning in the coming decade. Informed by cutting-edge research and evidence as well as a practical orientation toward implementable ideas, CEGIS provides Indian states with both an analytical roadmap for governance and expenditure reforms as well as strategic implementation support to deliver on this vision.In alignment with our four principles or pillars of change - outcome measurement, personnel management, strategic public finance, states and markets, CEGIS is currently working with the governments of Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Bodoland Territorial Council (Assam), NCT of Delhi and a few Government of India entities across a range of projects and sectors. Through CEGIS flagship offering, the KPI (Key Performance Indicators) Survey, we are helping enable one of the state governments we are working with to collect better quality data, make informed, evidence-based decisions, and institutionalise this process of securing periodic citizen-level feedback. We are setting up a Financial Analytics Unit (FAU) to enhance analytical capacity and increase the effectiveness of budgetary allocations of the Finance Department in another state. In alignment with our personnel management workstream, we are also working with the HR/Administrative Reforms & Training Department to set up and institutionalise an in-house Capacity Building Unit (CBU) that aids the adoption of competency-based Learning Management Systems (LMS) and Performance Management Systems (PMS) with a few of these entities. Similarly, to improve the value of public money, we work at the interface of states and markets which encompasses procurement, regulation, and policy formulation. Our solutions are constantly being refined based on real-time feedback and are designed to be customised and replicated across contexts.
CEGIS Theory of Change (ToC) is an outcome of the extensive work done by Prof. Karthik Muralidharan, the Founder and Scientific Director of CEGIS, in the field of strengthening State capacity. Further details are provided in his book Accelerating Indias Development: A State-Led Roadmap for Indias Development.
CEGIS Approach and Model of Functioning
Our solutions to enhance governance are co-created with state governments in a state-led way, where we focus on deep partnerships with states with an iterative cycle of thinking and doing. We work closely with the Chief Secretary and other top bureaucratic leadership, front-line workers and public officials in Finance, Planning and other line departments, with guidance from the Chief Minister and Finance Minister of the respective states. Today, CEGIS works across 6 Indian states and 15+ projects across 6 sectors - Education, Nutrition, and Local Governance among others.
Our team at CEGIS has extensive technical experience: renowned economists, former bureaucrats, consultants, researchers, social entrepreneurs, development sector professionals. We are trained academically in the best institutions in India and abroad across disciplines such as development economics, management, public policy, international development, and the like. We also seek extensive strategic advice from our pool of supportive external experts who further guide us in refining our solutions.
About Personal Management Verticle
In a bid to enhance the effectiveness of government work in India, CEGIS' Personnel Management team is pioneering a competency-driven approach to Capacity Building. This shift addresses a significant challenge wherein the existing system tends to prioritise strict adherence to rules linked to specific offices rather than focusing on attaining the desired outcomes. While this can limit the autonomy of frontline staff and managers, potentially hindering accountability for results, the innovative approach actively seeks to empower individuals and cultivate a results-oriented culture. This approach ensures the establishment of a more impactful and accountable government framework.
The competency-driven approach focuses on the skills, knowledge, and attitudes required for specific government roles. By prioritising these competencies, CEGIS aims to bring clarity to the work done by officials and empower them to achieve better results. This translates to a shift in accountability from simply following processes to delivering tangible outcomes.
The Personnel Management team achieves this through three key workstreams.
- Competency-Based Recruitment: Ensuring that the right people are selected for the job, bringing the necessary skills on board from the outset.
- Competency-Based Capacity Building (Learning & Development): Equipping government officials with the ongoing training and development they need to excel in their roles.
- Revamped Performance Management System: Evaluating and improving individual and team performance based on achieving defined goals, not just by adherence to procedures.
Through these efforts, the Personnel Management team strives to bring a new level of clarity and effectiveness to government work in India. By empowering staff with the right skills and holding them accountable for achieving desired outcomes, CEGIS is paving the way for a more efficient and impactful government service.
Senior Program Manager at CEGIS
The Senior Program Associate role at CEGIS provides an opportunity to contribute to large-scale capacity-building programs for government officials. Senior Program Associate needs advanced research capabilities to analyse the content, synthesise and disseminate this acquired knowledge, to both internal and external stakeholders using various mediums such as reports, presentations, and other materials. Collaboration is a crucial aspect of this role, requiring adept alignment among internal teams to foster collective contributions that enhance project efficiency.
Beyond that, Senior Program Associates play a pivotal role in supporting the capacity-building process, contributing to the design and development of program curriculums tailored to specific products. They actively engage in testing and implementing content in designated environments, iterating designs to ensure a balanced blend of innovation, research-backed strategies, and effectiveness. The primary audience for these products typically includes government officials, government departments, and ministries.
This senior position is ideally suited for a results-oriented professional with robust communication, research, and stakeholder management skills. It's tailor-made for individuals driven by a profound passion to make a tangible impact in the realm of public service development.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Instructional Design Application (Primary):
- Design instructional materials and learning experiences that align with adult learning principles to effectively engage government officials and meet government departments and ministries' requirements.
- Develop various types of content for in-person, online, and blended learning including text-based resources, multimedia presentations, videos, interactive modules, and assessments.
- Employ andragogy and instructional strategies to facilitate learning, such as active learning, gamification, problem-based learning, and flipped classroom approaches. - Technology Integration:
- Conduct comprehensive research and analysis on emerging technologies in ed-tech, evaluating their potential impact on government officials competency-based training.
- Assess the strengths, limitations, and risks of integrating these technologies into government programs, gathering feedback, and analysing return on investment. - - Recommendations for technology adoption, collaborating with stakeholders to seamlessly integrate selected tools, platforms, and strategies into existing government physical and digital infrastructure.
- Research on Competency-Based Capacity Building:
- Conduct thorough research on competency-based recruitment practices in India, including regulatory reports, government committee findings, and international models.
- Integration of Instructional frameworks like ADDIE, Bloom's Taxonomy, and Gagne's Nine Events in the solutioning aspect of competency-based capacity building to guide the development of effective learning experiences - Project Management and Collaboration:
- Collaborate with team members to ensure alignment with project goals and timelines.
- Manage project tasks effectively, ensuring timely completion of deliverables and milestones.
- Communicate findings, progress, and recommendations to internal stakeholders and clients clearly and concisely. - Stakeholder Management:
- Facilitate stakeholder coordination, organise meetings and workshops to gather input from government partners, and manage Learning management systems.
- Manage communication, document discussions, align on updates, and create/distribute presentations and reports for stakeholders.
Education, Experience, Required Skills, Characteristics and Qualities
- Masters degree or equivalent in Public Policy, Education Technology, Instructional Design, Management, Technology Management, Human Resources, or related fields.
- 3 to 6 years of work experience in a high-performing environment.
- Demonstrated expertise in the application of instructional design and androgogy principles in developing learning experiences for training of stakeholders in private or government agencies.
- Strong understanding of the latest emerging tools and technologies in the Ed-Tech landscape.
- Prior experience working in Competency-based Capacity Building with knowledge of competency development, course mapping, assessment instruments, etc is appreciated.
- Demonstrated capacity to manage multiple tasks concurrently, meet deadlines, and deliver high-quality work independently.
- Exceptional oral and written communication skills in crafting tailored presentations, reports, and concept notes for internal and external stakeholders.
Behavioural Requirements
- Embrace an open, diverse, and positive work environment. Proactive, self-motivated, and able to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
- Work collaboratively with multiple teams at horizontal and vertical levels in a result-oriented manner.
- Practices proactive reflection and continuous improvement of behaviours and actions.
Note
Remuneration will be competitive with Indian philanthropy and social sector pay scales and will depend on the candidates experience levels.
POSH Policy
CEGIS has zero tolerance to sexual harassment. We therefore expect each applicant to self-declare related to the same. CEGIS could, if required, initiate a prevention of sexual harassment-based background verification. If an applicant is reported of misconduct, appropriate action that may include employment termination would be taken. Please Click the link for self declaration.
Pre-reads for the application process
Please go through the following materials before sending in your application.
Podcast episodes with Prof. Karthik Muralidharan one each on education and healthcare in India.
You are also encouraged to read more of Prof. Karthik Muralidharans work here.