Job Description

ABOUT IDinsight
We amplify social impact by partnering with leaders to develop tailored solutions. Our mission is to use data and evidence to help leaders combat poverty worldwide. IDinsight is a mission-driven global advisory, data analytics, and research organization that helps global development leaders maximize their social impact. We tailor a wide range of data and evidence tools, including randomized evaluations and machine learning, to help decision-makers design effective programs and rigorously test what works to support communities. We work with governments, multilateral agencies, foundations, and innovative non-profit organizations in Asia and Africa. Our work spans a wide range of sectors, including agriculture, education, health, governance, sanitation, financial inclusion, and other areas.
We have expertise in a variety of rigorous approaches and methodologies, which we tailor to each client depending on their needs and constraints. To achieve a positive social impact we:
- Support clients' use of data and evidence for routine and major decision-making.
- Inform funding decisions - toward high-impact initiatives and away from less effective programs or approaches.
- Create and share tools, knowledge, and ideas that expand the use of data and evidence for social good.
Our diverse, growing team of roughly 280 outstanding colleagues operates in nearly two dozen countries worldwide. Learn more about our mission and values at www.IDinsight.org.
ABOUT OUR GOVERNANCE PORTFOLIO IN INDIA
In India, we have worked with several union and state government organisations over the past 13 years. We have worked with NITI Aayog on the Aspirational Districts Program as well as NDAP, and we are currently the M&E partner for Mission Karmayogi, working closely with both the Capacity Building Commission as well as Karmayogi Bharat. We also have active engagements with the Planning Departments in different states. In Telangana, we conducted the annual KPI survey for the government, as part of which we have built a representative panel for ~50,000 households and are using that panel to collect data on health, nutrition and learning outcomes. In Uttar Pradesh, we are supporting the Planning Department to generate high-frequency estimates of economic activity as well as supporting capacity building efforts in the department. In our previous engagements, we have supported state governments in Punjab, Bihar, Odisha, Delhi and Meghalaya in similar ways. Our work is typically funded by philanthropic organisations such as the Gates Foundation, CIFF, MSDF, Coimpact and the Veddis Foundation.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
As part of the governance portfolio, we expect to start a new partnership with the Government of Meghalaya that aims at strengthening the capacity of key government departments. This partnership will aim at enabling the government to execute an ambitious set of performance management reforms that directly link the day-to-day activities of each individual civil servant with the goals of their department, build the capacity of civil servants to effectively perform these activities, and enable data-based HR decisions within the government.
Our work will include (i) providing advisory and implementation support to the government in administering these reforms, (ii) helping the government strengthen data pipelines to enable the measurement and management of civil service performance, (iii) generating evidence on the extent to which civil service capacity and performance improves, and (iv) strengthening key government institutions to ensure sustainability of this approach within the government.
ABOUT THE MANAGER / SENIOR MANAGER POSITION
We are looking for an experienced Manager / Senior Manager with a proven track record of working with Indian governments at both the state and central levels. The ideal candidate will bring expertise in public policy, governance reforms, and stakeholder relationship management. They should be capable of leading teams to achieve project goals while ensuring collaboration with senior government officials. This role requires the candidate to be based in Shillong, Meghalaya, as they will engage extensively with government stakeholders, act as a trusted advisor to senior government leaders, and oversee the successful execution of the project.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
1 - Client Relationships:
- Serve as the primary point of contact for all government officials, building and maintaining strong, trust-based relationships.
- Update clients regularly on project progress, key outcomes, and insights to ensure alignment with their goals and expectations.
- Lead meetings with government officials, facilitate high-level discussions, and build relationships.
- Build the capacity of key government institutions to ensure sustainability of our work.
2 - Strategic Advisory and Technical Expertise:
- Provide advisory support to government departments on governance reforms, policy development and implementation, data-driven decision-making, and institutional strengthening.
- Develop a deep and nuanced understanding of how data and evidence tools can be used to help answer the clients' questions.
- Collaborate with internal teams to review and refine project deliverables, ensuring the highest quality of work and alignment with client objectives.
- Represent the organisation in high-level meetings, workshops, and conferences related to governance topics.
3 - Team and Project Management:
- Manage timelines, quality control, and risk mitigation within the context of project constraints to ensure effective project execution.
- Responsible for providing mentorship and guidance to all team members, especially Associates, and fostering a collaborative and high-performance environment.
- Lead project budget design and management, and all funder compliances for the project.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Masters degree, preferably in public policy, economics, public administration, business
- 6 to 10 years of relevant work experience, including working with Indian government departments. Experience in sectors like health, nutrition, and livelihoods will be valuable, too.
- Ability to navigate complex government structures and build trusted relationships with senior officials
- Outstanding interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills
- Strong quantitative and critical thinking skills
- Deep passion to improve lives around the world
- Self-starter who will thrive in a start-up setting by taking ownership and initiative
- Intellectual curiosity and sense of humor
Candidates will be evaluated for a Manager vs. Senior Manager role based on their qualifications, previous experiences, and performance during the hiring processes.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
Skill and career development are core to IDinsight's values and long-term impact strategy and have been noted highlights of teammates' experiences. Team members receive mentorship from leadership, support from talented peers, and considerable autonomy when ready. Real-time feedback is embedded in our culture, and a formal structure enables maximum professional growth.
NUTS & BOLTS:
- Location: Shillong, Meghalaya
- Start date: There is a preference for candidates who can start immediately.
- Work authorization: IDinsight is able to sponsor employment visas for all nationalities; however, we will prioritize candidates who do not require IDinsight to sponsor work authorization. All candidates who are not currently located in our country offices listed above will be expected to relocate to their office locations at the onset of their employment.
COMPENSATION:
Compensation and benefits are commensurate with the qualifications and experiences IDinsight is hiring for, and competitive within the global development sector. We are especially proud of the people-focused benefits we offer including comprehensive international health insurance, including mental health coverage; paid vacation, sick, and parental leave; relocation benefits; a travel stipend; technology and work from home stipends; a professional development budget; and more.
HOW TO APPLY:
Please ensure that your CV includes relevant professional and personal experience as well as details on academic qualifications. CVs can range from one to two pages. Please note, headshot photographs, parental details, birth dates, marital status and other personal information not relevant to the application do not need to be included in your CV. Additionally, we strongly encourage you to use your cover letter to highlight why you want to work for IDinsight specifically, and what has prepared you to succeed in the role you're applying for. A customized cover letter is an important part of IDinsight's recruiting process as it allows us to understand your motivations for the position, relevant skills, and clarity of writing.
More information, including details on IDinsight's hiring process and frequently asked questions, can be found online at IDinsight Careers; the link to this page is found on the original job posting. Any questions should be directed to careers@IDinsight.org/indiaops@idinsight.org.
IDinsight is committed to reducing power asymmetries in the social sector. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion reflects our understanding of the need for the sector to abandon unhealthy practices of the past. We wish to be part of a new generation of international NGOs who are honest about this history and transparent about our role in the present. Our commitment is also aligned with the impact of our work.
We seek a workforce that is inclusive of a variety of perspectives that will help us refine and improve our methods and relationships, and strengthen the services we provide our clients and their communities or constituencies. The following commitments represent our vision for the IDinsight team: * IDinsight will have greater representation from the populations with whom we work and clients we serve.

• IDinsight will have greater representation from the countries in which we work.
• Across all countries in which we recruit, we will seek greater representation from historically excluded communities.
• IDinsight will foster an inclusive work culture that empowers a diverse team to do their best work.

IDinsight is committed to non-discrimination in our recruitment, employment practices, and organizational culture, regardless of people's age, disability, gender, gender identity, genetics, national origin, race, color, religion or belief, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.