Job Opportunity for Economic Policy Analyst at The Centre for Effective Governance of Indian States (CEGIS) in Chennai, India

## Job Description – Economic Policy Analyst

**The Convergence Foundation (TCF)** is a grant-making incubator founded by philanthropist Ashish Dhawan. We build and scale new foundations in key areas of India’s development sector. Our mission is to accelerate India’s development by supporting the creation and growth of high-impact non-profits.

**The Centre for Effective Governance of Indian States (CEGIS)**, one of TCF’s incubations, focuses on helping state governments strengthen their capacity and public systems to improve governance, service delivery, and the effectiveness of public expenditure.

**Job Location:** Chennai, India

**Experience Required:**

* A Master’s degree in Economics, Public Policy, or a related field is strongly preferred.

* Relevant work experience related to empirical research in the domain of public policy is an additional asset. 

* Applicants without work experience must be able to demonstrate requisite skills and inclination through a strong academic record.

**Position Summary:**

As CEGIS completes its fifth year, we are seeking multiple Economic Policy Analysts to join our Economics and Statistics Unit. In this role, you will play a crucial part in conducting impactful research on policies and programs that can enhance the effectiveness of public spending and improve development outcomes for millions of people.

**Responsibilities:**

* Conduct comprehensive economic research and analysis on policy and programmatic issues relevant to state governments.

* Develop data-driven insights and recommendations for effective policy implementation and governance reforms.

* Support CEGIS field projects, including sampling design, data analytical frameworks, and analytical tools.

* Curate and update datasets (international, national, and state) for rapid analysis.

* Engage with senior government officials to identify research, analysis, and knowledge gaps.

* Collaborate with stakeholders, including government officials, researchers, and think tanks, to foster effective policy dialogues and knowledge sharing.

* Support CEGIS teams and projects in developing and implementing evidence-based policy solutions.

* Translate economic research findings into practical policy ideas and reforms.

* Draft high-quality notes, reports, policy briefs, and academic papers.

* Create and present accessible content to communicate economic findings to diverse audiences.

**Required Skills:**

* Proficiency in data science and experience working with large datasets.

* Knowledge of at least one statistical analysis software (STATA, R, etc.).

* 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 is a plus.

* Demonstrated interest in government functioning improvement and using research to inform policy.

**Desired Qualities:**

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

* Ability to work effectively on multiple projects simultaneously.

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

* Creative thinking, willingness to experiment, and the ability to translate ideas into action plans.

* Intellectual curiosity and commitment to continuous learning.

* Passion for working with governments to enhance state effectiveness.

**Compensation:**

Remuneration will be competitive with Indian academic and think tank pay scales and will depend on the candidate’s experience levels.

Later applications will be considered on a rolling basis, but we will start reviewing on 22nd August.