Job Opportunity for Program Associate – Human Resources at The Convergence Foundation in Delhi

Position: Program Associate – People and Culture / Sr. Program Manager – People and Culture

Location: Delhi

About CEGIS

The Centre for Effective Governance of Indian States (CEGIS Foundation pronounced See-Jis) ) was co-founded by private equity investor turned philanthropist Ashish Dhawan and economist Karthik Muralidharan in 2019 to improve millions of lives by helping Indian state governments work better. CEGIS aims to enable a transformative improvement in the functioning of the Indian state in the coming decade. Informed by cutting-edge research and evidence as well as a practical orientation toward implementable ideas, CEGIS aims to provide Indian states with both an analytical roadmap for governance and expenditure reforms as well as strategic implementation support to deliver on this vision.

The organization has a sharp focus on improving the quality of public expenditure, and through it, develops templates for achieving a step-function improvement in development outcomes across India. We strive to produce high-quality economic analysis to inform state-level policy-making and work closely with the Chief Secretary, and Principal Secretaries of Finance/Planning, with guidance from and close coordination with the Chief Minister and Finance Minister. Based on consultations with top officials in several states, we believe that there is a very high demand for such support especially when backed by world-leading technical expertise and a deep understanding of service delivery in India.

CEGIS believes that states are the most important unit for addressing these issues. Therefore, we work with state governments to generate actionable insights, formulate effective solutions and facilitate measurable impact in terms of developmental outcomes. Currently, CEGIS is working with the governments of Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Bodoland Territorial Council, NCT of Delhi and a few Government of India entities. At the state level, CEGIS identifies sectoral priorities jointly with the state government, and then aims to integrate its four verticals (Outcome Measurement, Personnel Management, Public Finance, State(s) and Market into specific projects to improve governance, service delivery, and development outcomes.

CEGIS Approach and Model of Functioning

Four key characteristics of high-performing organizations are (a) measuring outcomes for

goal setting and monitoring progress towards these goals, (b) strategic use of personnel policy including competency based hiring and training, skilling, and performance appraisals to determine job assignments, pay, and promotions to achieve the goals above, (c) strategic budgeting where resource allocation is based on evidence and cost-effectiveness; (d) and creating efficient systems to leverage external actors (including for-profit and nonprofit organizations). The Indian state performs weakly on all four fronts above. CEGIS helps to improve the functioning of the Indian state by focusing on the four principles above.

CEGIS works with state governments through a dedicated state office that is co-created with the state and integrated with their Finance and Planning Departments. The staffing model includes CEGIS personnel as well as staff seconded by the state and fellows, if any. Thus, instead of being another Delhi-based policy think tank, we are building the organization in a state-led way, where we focus on deep partnerships with states with an iterative cycle of thinking and doing. We support states in implementing evidence-based ideas for improving state effectiveness while also continuously learning from state-level experiences of implementing these ideas. Each state-level CEGIS engagement features some core themes that are common to all state-level engagements, and others that vary by state. State-level delivery teams are supported by central technical teams that curate ideas based on both evidence and experience, support state-level experimentation, and accelerate adoption of successful practices across states.

Position Summary

As the (Senior) Associate – Human Resources, you will support the people function to execute the talent strategy for the organisation and help the Head of People and Culture in implementing a transformational people plan that will shape the future for CEGIS. This role reports to the Head of People & Culture.

Reporting to the HR Manager, you will handle day-to-day HR activities, provide administrative support, and contribute to maintaining a positive work environment. This role is pivotal in ensuring smooth HR operations and contributing to the overall effectiveness of the team.

Roles and Responsibilities

Talent Acquisition:

• Assist in coordinating recruitment processes, including scheduling interviews, communicating with candidates, and updating job postings.
• Support initiatives to promote the CEGIS brand and Employee Value Proposition (EVP).
• Help in the preparation of hiring documentation and candidate assessments. 

Talent Management and Engagement:

• Assist in organizing employee engagement activities and events.
• Support the implementation of people practices that align with CEGISs values and culture.
• Maintain employee records and update HR databases.

Business Partnering:

• Provide administrative support for talent management activities. 
• Assist in preparing reports and documentation for various HR processes. 
• Act as a point of contact for employee inquiries and support needs.

Talent Development:

• Assist in organizing training sessions and development programs. 
• Help with the onboarding process for new hires, including orientation and paperwork.

Talent Process Support:

• Support key HR processes such as performance management and compensation. 
• Assist in ensuring compliance with HR policies and procedures.
• Help in the continuous improvement of HR systems and process 

Required Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities

• Bachelors degree in Human Resources Management or related field. 1-3 years of work experience in an HR role or a related field.
• Basic understanding of HR principles and practices.
• Good organizational and administrative skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office and HR software systems.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information. A proactive approach to problem-solving and a willingness to learn.

Personal Characteristics and Desired Qualities

• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.
• High degree of professionalism and integrity.
• Enthusiastic about contributing to the mission of CEGIS and working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Location and Compensation

The ideal candidate will be based in Delhi and should be willing to travel, when needed. Remuneration will be competitive with Indian philanthropy and social sector pay scales and will depend on the candidates experience levels.

Interested candidates are requested to submit their application to hr@cegis.org