Job Opportunity for Manager, Government Relations, Safe Water at Evidence Action in New Delhi

Website Evidence Action

About Evidence Action

Evidence Action is a global nonprofit organization with an approach distinctive in international development – we exclusively scale interventions that are backed by strong evidence and can be delivered with exceptional cost-effectiveness. Our programs have grown since our founding in 2013 to reach over 280 million people annually. We deliver high impact for every dollar spent, as recognized by GiveWell, The Life You Can Save, and Charity Navigator.

We do development differently. We take a data-driven approach to identifying, scaling, and continuously improving programs which deliver immense impact, ensuring these solutions measurably improve the lives of millions. Our Deworm the World Initiative has helped governments in Africa and Asia deliver over 1.4 billion childhood deworming treatments, improving health, education, and incomes. Dispensers for Safe Water provides sustained safe water access to over 4 million people in rural Africa, preventing childhood illness and deaths.

We drive innovation: Our Accelerator builds the next generation of exceptional programs, taking an approach most similar to a venture capital model. We are ruthless in exiting programs which do not meet our criteria; those that advance deliver outsized impact for millions of people.

We are global. Across eight countries in Africa and Asia, our 400+ people are united by a tremendous passion for our mission and impact. We are strong because of our diversity of experience, geography, and background – with over 90% of our people in the countries where our impact is focused.

We have big ambitions. Our goal is to double our impact by 2024, to fulfill our vision of a world where hundreds of millions of people in the poorest places have better opportunities and their lives are measurably improved. We believe in bold and urgent action – because poverty doesn’t wait, and neither should we.

We need great people. Our success to date is due to the collective work of our amazing staff. To achieve our ambitious goals, we are looking for people who share our passion for evidence, cost-effectiveness, and scale. We seek individuals who take an entrepreneurial approach, enjoy tackling hard problems, and have a bias to action and results. If our vision and approach excite you as much as it does us, we invite you to join us.

About the India Safe Water team

Recent evidence highlights that water treatment may be among the most cost-effective interventions available to save young children’s lives, reducing all-cause child mortality by about 25%. The dispensers program – based on research for Nobel-winning economists – utilizes an innovative and human-centric design to deliver clean water at the source in rural settings, achieving usage rates which are 5x that of comparable interventions. We are currently scaling up a next generation technology, in-line chlorination (ILC) that targets peri-urban communities. Evidence action currently provides safe water to over 4 million people across rural Uganda, Malawi, and Kenya and is on track to expand its reach to over 9 million by 2024.

In addition to the existing programs, Evidence Action has recently begun leading safe water work in India in collaboration with national and state government agencies. We will be overseeing the operation of a number of promising chlorination technology pilots across three Indian states. The pilots will focus on establishing greater understanding of operational considerations regarding water chlorination in various Indian contexts that governments can rely upon during their scale-up process. After analyzing device performance and applicability in the pilots, findings and recommendations will be presented to national and state departments for water, with the potential for scale-up to a 500+ person team safe water program across India with the potential of serving 100 million people.

About the Position

Evidence Action is looking for a Government Relations Manager to manage and drive the Safe Water program and advocacy efforts with the India government. The Government Relations Manager will report to the Program Director, India Safe Water. A top candidate is organized, proactive, adaptable, and excited by the opportunity to successfully provide safe drinking water to 100 million people.

Key Responsibilities

Lead India Safe Water’s advocacy efforts with the India government:

  • Maintain regular communication with government officials, keeping them updated on progress, addressing any concerns, and seeking their input and feedback.
  • Disseminate pilot findings, recommendations, and results to government representatives, showcasing the success of the pilot program and highlighting its impact.
  • Collaborate with state governments to plan for implementation, including discussions on funding sources, resource allocation, and defining clear strategies and responsibilities through the development of a state plan.
  • Coordinate the tendering process for chlorination devices, utilizing specific skills to ensure adherence to quality standards and efficient administration, while also demonstrating the value and effectiveness of the devices.

Serve as a liaison between sub-teams within the organization and government entities:

  • Provide teams and government entities with the necessary information and resources they need to support program objectives.
  • Engage in clear, effective written and verbal engagement with all stakeholders.
  • Synthesize clear takeaways from complex information and data sources to create quality deliverables, including written reports/proposals and presentation decks.

Support the future success of the program:

  • Provide policy advisory support to other states, advocating for the consideration and adoption of the program in their respective regions, and assisting them in conceptualizing the implementation process.
  • Engage with state governments, facilitating discussions and brainstorming sessions to help them visualize the potential benefits and outcomes of adopting the program in their state.
  • Offer support on Safe Water work as needed, demonstrating flexibility and a willingness to contribute to various initiatives and projects.

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with at least 5-7 years of experience working in a government related role. You should have in-depth knowledge of the government landscape in India.
  • Proven ability in influencing stakeholders, effectively aligning strategies while maintaining the organization’s integrity and objectives.
  • Proven ability to build and maintain positive relations with senior government officials, and other partners.
  • Proven ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, bridging gaps and fostering a cohesive working environment.
  • Detail-oriented approach, recognizing the importance of accuracy in reporting and communication with government officials.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a focus on ensuring absolute clarity of tasks and goals, enabling effective decision-making and execution.
  • Willingness to take ownership and create structure in ambiguous work situations, driving progress and ensuring clarity even in the absence of explicit instructions or guidelines.
  • Excellent spoken and written English and Hindi. Strong communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and concisely, and the capacity to adapt messaging based on the audience.
  • Applicants must be authorized to work in India. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an India employment visa at this time.
  • Ability and willingness to travel within India up to 25% of the time.

Evidence Action is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to diversity. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.

To apply for this job please visit apply.workable.com.