Posted on 24/04/2024
Centre for Civil Society (CCS) is recruiting a committed and passionate (Senior) Policy Impact & Outreach Associate based in New Delhi to manage policy initiatives on education, reforms in school and higher education sectors, barriers to livelihoods and entrepreneurship, and quality of regulatory governance.
ABOUT CENTRE FOR CIVIL SOCIETY
CCS is an independent public policy think tank based in New Delhi. Our work in education, livelihood, and policy training promotes choice and accountability across private and public sectors. To translate policy into practice, we engage with policy and opinion leaders through research, pilot projects and advocacy.
Over the last many years, CCS’ research team has built a reputation for shining light on the dark recesses of governance: collecting and analysing data through primary surveys, ethnographic studies, public datasets and administrative data, and RTI applications, compiling legal and legislative analysis; testing the validity of innovative governance tools through pilot projects; and proposing a redesign of existing regulatory frameworks.
Our work
In education, we focus on regulatory and governance reforms, particularly the uncoupling of service delivery, financing and regulatory functions of the government (center/state level) based on data, and informed analysis to reinstate choice, quality and accountability in education. In livelihoods, we focus on fostering greater economic freedom and improving the ease of doing business for micro, small and medium enterprises.
Examples of our outputs
- In 2023, we launched the Jeevika App, an android-based mobile application to provide legal awareness, advice and legal aid to street vendors, and have a 99% positive case resolution rate so far.
- In 2019 we studied the regulatory interface between government and private schools by analyzing administrative data on licensing, fee regulation and inspections to understand the challenges of starting and operating private schools in northern India.
- In 2019, we developed a quality of regulation checklist and are assembling a dataset to measure the volume and complexity of regulation across India.
- In 2018 we examined the ground realities of the ease of doing business effort at the state level in Delhi producing 7 distinct papers using a combination of primary surveys, time and motion studies and investigative journalism.
- In 2017 and 2019, we conducted a deep study of progress in implementing the Street Vendors Act using case law analysis, and analysis of state-level data.
- We have conducted multiple pilot projects to test the design and application of vouchers for school and skill education, inclusive education using 25% RTE reserved seats, school quality improvement mechanisms etc.
ROLE PROFILE
(Senior) Policy Impact and Outreach Associates at CCS have sharp analytical and critical thinking abilities, and curiosity about the interplay between government, citizens, markets and civil society. A (Senior) Policy Impact and Outreach Associate at CCS leads and executes projects in our areas of interest. The role requires the ability to interpret the research findings to build policy outreach campaigns, either through some products or through networks to produce winning deliverables, and engage with varied stakeholders. The role requires strong leadership and problem-solving skills to respond to emerging policy challenges at the national and state level.
As (Senior) Policy Impact and Outreach Associate, you will lead and execute projects on education reforms including impacting girls in STEM Education through mentoring, English as a skill in Budget private Schools to improve social mobility, Education Policy Outreach (Public expenditure on schooling, regulation of private schools, higher education reforms), and on barriers to livelihoods and entrepreneurship. You will work closely with other members of the Policy Impact team, but also have the opportunity to participate in conversations on policy and politics with senior management. Your key responsibility will be to deliver impact through projects and campaigns. While this is primarily a policy impact project management role, your other responsibilities may include writing proposals, knowledge management, and providing inputs to colleagues on strategy and process management. You should have demonstrated skills in idea marketing, campaigning, writing and communication. You should be energetic, proactive, able to work independently and collaboratively as needed, and possess both integrity and the humility to seek advice when needed.
Job Title
(Senior) Policy Impact and Outreach Associate, Centre for Civil Society
Location
This role will be based out of CCS’ office in Delhi. Frequent travel around India with potential for international travel to partners and conferences will be expected.
Compensation
CCS recognizes that the right candidate will have a significant impact on the success of the organization and will offer an attractive compensation package for the non-profit sector, commensurate with experience.
Application
Candidates who are qualified should apply using this link. Applicants must attach an updated CV, a cover letter, and 2 references. Only shortlisted candidates will be called for interviews. Qualified candidates should apply on https://ccs.in/careers.
Experience and Education
- MA/MSc Economics/ Political Science/ Public Policy / Mass Communication or Professional/ graduate-level education in Management, Digital Marketing, Campaign Management, Product Development and Marketing etc. with demonstrated knowledge.
- 3-5 years experience in a research role with a think tank, research institution or consulting firm
- Senior Associate: At least 5 years of experience in public policy, campaign management, impact assessment and idea marketing and 1 year of experience managing teams and leading initiatives
- Associate: At least 3 years of experience in public policy, campaign management, impact assessment and idea marketing.
- Demonstrated understanding of free markets, liberalism, and ideas that impact conversion.
- Proficiency and experience in the following:
- Project Management
- Report Writing, Documentation, Content Writing and Copy editing
- Knowledge Management
- Data interpretation and visualization
- Digital marketing basics, impact communication
- Creating and managing the network of stakeholders
- Managing project budgets, team goals, and project/programme timelines
- Experience in using tools accordingly.
Skills and Competencies
- Demonstrated proficiency in high-quality succinct error-free writing in English (Proficiency in reading and writing in Hindi is a bonus)
- Proficiency in copy editing and writing and ability to present pitch and recommendations in a captivating and journalistic manner
- Ability to engage actively with stakeholders in India and around the world
- Ability to communicate content effectively, both orally and in writing, in English, to government partners, policy influencers, team members, researchers, partner organizations and donors;
- Ability to process vast amounts of information and generate useful insights quickly;
- Ability to think through problems with clarity and deductive/inductive reasoning
- Ability to work simultaneously on different projects, break up projects into smaller modules, delegate appropriately and aggregate into a coherent output and
- Up-to-date knowledge of the Indian policy process and political landscape.
Attributes
- Liberal bent of mind, with a commitment to a safe working environment for team members
- Openness to ideas and debate
- Have a robust (and not fragile) ego
- Ambition to make an impact on the world and leave a mark, and not just to do a good enough job
- Ability to generate goodwill with working partners and resolve conflicts at the earliest through transparent communication
- Relentless pursuit of excellence, self-reflection, and commitment to honest feedback
- Deep comfort with an environment that prizes collaborative technologies (basecamp, g-drive, e-meet, Github etc) (not necessary to be conversant, but must be enjoyed).
Responsibilities
- Lead/Manage projects on regulatory reforms, governance and pilot interventions in education and livelihoods within agreed timelines, keeping in mind the quality and impact indicators set for the team
- Create action plans
- Assume responsibilities to design, develop and deliver project management processes and practices
- Ensure that the work generates high-quality evidence, and knowledge management documentation is done properly.
- Quality and engaging content creation for outreach through digital and mainstream media platforms.
- Up-to date documentation, reporting and excellence in execution.
- Manage contracts with external partners for project implementation
- Produce high-quality succinct error-free and visually powerful outreach outputs of different lengths and for different target audiences.
- Productize existing knowledge by drafting research summaries, policy briefs, recommendations, and presentations, for external stakeholders including government. Create and manage a database of relevant stakeholders and engage for publicity of CCS policy reform ideas.
- Remain current on developments in CCS’ areas of work
- Monitor, analyze, and report on emerging policy issues
- Maintain knowledge of government policy decisions
- Conduct quick market scans for policy responsiveness
- Work with Senior Fellow/Fellow to execute policy impact agenda and develop new projects
- Hire, manage and appraise team-members, interns and external resources.