Job Opportunity for Economic Policy Analyst at CEGIS in Chennai, India

**Job Title:** Economic Policy Analyst

**Organization:** Centre for Effective Governance of Indian States (CEGIS), a program of The Convergence Foundation

**Location:** Chennai, India

**About the Organization:** The Centre for Effective Governance of Indian States (CEGIS) is dedicated to strengthening the capacity and public systems of state governments in India to improve governance, service delivery, and the effectiveness of public expenditure.  CEGIS is part of The Convergence Foundation (TCF), a grant-making incubator focused on key areas of India’s development sector, founded by philanthropist Ashish Dhawan.

**Position Summary:**

CEGIS seeks multiple Economic Policy Analysts to join its Economics and Statistics Unit.  Analysts will conduct economic analysis focused on state-level policy issues in India, contributing to impactful research on policies and programs that improve public spending effectiveness and development outcomes.  The role involves close collaboration with a diverse team, senior government officials, and leading economists, including CEGIS Co-Founder and Scientific Director, Prof. Karthik Muralidharan.

**Role and Responsibilities:**

* **Economic Research and Technical Analysis:** Conduct comprehensive economic research and analysis on policy and programmatic issues relevant to state governments; develop data-driven insights and recommendations; support CEGIS field projects (sampling design, data analytical frameworks, and tools); curate and update datasets.

* **Policy Development and Collaboration:** Engage with senior government officials to identify research gaps; collaborate with stakeholders (government officials, researchers, think tanks); support the development and implementation of evidence-based policy solutions; translate research findings into practical policy ideas.

* **Knowledge Creation and Dissemination:** Draft high-quality reports, policy briefs, and academic papers; create accessible content to communicate economic findings to diverse audiences.

**Qualifications:**

* **Education:** A Master’s degree in Economics, Public Policy, or a related field is strongly preferred.  Relevant work experience in empirical research related to public policy is a plus but not strictly required.  Strong academic records will be considered for candidates lacking work experience.

* **Skills:** Proficiency in data science and working with large datasets; knowledge of at least one statistical analysis software (STATA, R, etc.) is essential; proficiency in other programming languages (Python) and GIS software is advantageous; familiarity with major research datasets covering India; strong writing and communication skills in English (fluency in other Indian languages is a plus); ability to prepare high-quality policy briefs and research papers; demonstrated interest in improving government functioning and using research to inform policy; exposure to project design and implementation (advantageous).

**Personal Characteristics:**

* Strong quantitative, analytical, and conceptual skills in economics.

* Ability to work effectively across multiple projects.

* Adaptability to work independently and as part of a team.

* Creative thinking and ability to translate ideas into action.

* Intellectual curiosity and commitment to continuous learning.

* Passion for working with governments to enhance state effectiveness.

**Experience Required:**  While not strictly required, relevant experience in empirical research related to public policy is highly valued.  Strong academic records will be considered in lieu of extensive work experience.