Job Description:
Senior Program Manager - Outcome Measurement (Hyderabad, Chennai, Lucknow and Raipur)
About CEGIS
Centre for Effective Governance of Indian States (CEGIS pronounced See-Jis) aims to improve 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 State’s 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 India’s Development: A State-Led Roadmap for India’s 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.
Overview:
Within CEGIS, the Outcome Measurement (OM) team’s role is to support the institutionalisation of data-driven decision-making by setting up the required infrastructure and technical capacity with the Planning department and relevant line departments in the state. The Program Manager’s (OM) will play a crucial role in executing this vision in the state, working closely with both the OM technical team and the State team.
Position Summary:
As a Senior Program Manager (SPM) in OM, you will lead and manage complex digital data collection operations, collaborating closely with senior academics and government stakeholders to customize research design and protocols to local contexts. Your role will encompass ensuring adherence to stringent data quality protocols and overseeing the development of high-quality outputs summarizing project progress, data analyses, and research findings for dissemination at various forums.
Roles and Responsibilities:
Data Analysis Oversight:
- Evaluate and review pre-analysis plans to ensure comprehensive and precise data analysis procedures.
- Regularly check progress on data analysis and provide necessary inputs for improvement.
Research and Data Management:
- Oversee accuracy and validity of data collected to inform decision making
- Enhance accuracy, validity, and completeness of collected research and data.
- Develop protocols and guidelines for managing data quality, access, verification, and validation.
Solution Design and Technical Expertise:
- Contribute technical and operational insights to solution design.
- Ensure adherence to best practices and established protocols.
- Provide expertise for new or pilot projects during the diagnosis and solution design process.
- Guides interpretation and meaning making
Project Management:
- Align project activities with Objectives and Key Results (OKRs).
- Oversees comprehensive project management, spanning from conceptualization and resource allocation to briefing and execution.
- Manage project outputs and ensure successful completion.
- Support budgeting process for interventions.
- Ensure quality and technical integrity of project outputs.
- Oversee technical evaluations and quality control processes to align to ToC
- Prepare and pitch proposals to donors and stakeholders.
Communication and Stakeholder Engagement:
Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships with external stakeholders.
Synthesize stakeholders' feedback to develop strategic communication strategies.
Shapes stakeholder perceptions through engagement and relationship building
Fosters internal alignment to meet project priorities and Organisational goals
Knowledge Product Development:
- Collaborates with team members to develop impactful knowledge products, such as policy notes, analysis reports, and frameworks and contributes to knowledge sharing.
- Transform insights and findings into actionable knowledge products.
- Facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration
Qualifications and Attributes:
- 8 to 12 years of progressive work experience, including field research, managing evaluations, and quantitative analysis and team.
- Masters or advanced degree in economics, statistics, public policy, engineering, or related fields from a prestigious institution.
- Proficiency in quantitative data management and analysis using STATA, R, or Python programming.
- Strong research aptitude to analyze complex data and formulate innovative solutions.
- Strong planning and organizational skills, adept at setting priorities and meeting deadlines.
- Deep passion for enhancing the effectiveness of Indian States, with an operating style conducive to autonomy and adaptability.
- Proven ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outputs consistently.
- A creative mindset and willingness to experiment with new ideas.
- Exceptional collaboration and active listening skills, fostering an inclusive environment.
- Adaptability to transition between projects and sectors, demonstrating versatility and agility.
- Superior problem-solving, strategic thinking, and research acumen for analyzing complex data.
- Excellent proficiency in English, with exceptional writing and communication skills tailored to diverse audiences.
- Advanced planning and organizational skills, including effective team management and collaboration with stakeholders.
- Unwavering dedication to improving Indian states, in line with organizational goals.
- Operating style characterized by autonomy, adaptability, and resourcefulness under pressure.
- Proven ability to consistently deliver high-quality results and innovate new initiatives.
- Adaptability to embrace diverse projects and rapidly integrate into new sectors.
Compensation:
Remuneration will be competitive with Indian philanthropy and social sector pay scales and will depend on the candidate’s experience levels.
Location:
We are currently recruiting for multiple positions in various locations including Hyderabad, Chennai, Lucknow, and Raipur.
Note: 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 Muralidharan’s work here