Centre for Effective Governance of Indian States (CEGIS)
## Job Description – Economist/Sr. Economist
**About The Convergence Foundation (TCF):**
The Convergence Foundation (TCF) is a grant-making incubator, run by philanthropist Ashish Dhawan, dedicated to building and scaling new foundations in key areas of India’s development sector. TCF is committed to improving governance, service delivery, and the effectiveness of public expenditure in India.
**Job Title:** Economist/Sr. Economist
**Location:** Chennai / Hyderabad / Delhi/ Bengaluru/ Mumbai (other locations could be possible)
**Organization Name:** Centre for Effective Governance of Indian States (CEGIS)
**Experience Required:**
* **Economist:** 0-5 years of experience
* **Sr. Economist:** 5-10 years of experience
**Job Description:**
CEGIS is seeking multiple PhD holding economists to join its “Economics and Statistics Unit”. In this role, you will contribute to impactful research on policies and programmes that can improve the effectiveness of public spending and enhance development outcomes for millions of people.
**Key Responsibilities:**
* Conduct original research and technical analysis to evaluate proposed expenditure items.
* Analyze government policies and programs, evaluating key programs.
* Stay updated on relevant research to address policy questions.
* Liaise with academic and other researchers to obtain expert inputs for policy decisions.
* Mentor and coach teams of analysts.
**Qualifications:**
* PhD in Economics, Public Policy, or a related field is strongly preferred.
* Candidates with a Master’s degree in Economics or related fields, combined with extensive experience (4+ years) in empirical analysis and policy-focused research, will also be considered for the Economist role.
**Experience:**
* Experience in applied research and policy, focusing on public finance, budget analysis, and program-level analysis.
* Proficiency in data science and experience working with large datasets is an asset.
* Familiarity with major research datasets covering India and experience in compiling and using complex datasets.
* Strong writing and communication skills in English; fluency in other Indian languages, especially Hindi, is a plus.
* Experience in preparing high-quality policy briefs, research papers, and notes.
* Exposure to project design and implementation, particularly in collaboration with government officials or large-scale projects, is advantageous.
* Demonstrated interest in government functioning improvement and using research and evidence to inform policy.
**Personal Characteristics and Desired Qualities:**
* Strong quantitative, analytical, and conceptual skills in economics.
* Creative thinking, willingness to experiment, and ability to translate ideas into action plans.
* Intellectual curiosity and commitment to continuous learning.
* Passion for working with governments to enhance state effectiveness.
* Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders and build consensus.
* Excellent people management skills and ability to motivate and lead teams.
* Adaptability to work independently and as part of a small, dynamic team.
**Compensation:**
Remuneration will be competitive with Indian academic and think tank pay scales and will depend on the candidate’s experience levels.
To apply for this job please visit career.theconvergencefoundation.org.
