Open Positions – Centre for Social and Behaviour Change (CSBC)

The last date to apply for all roles is 20 December 2022

Centre for Social and Behaviour Change (CSBC), hosted by Ashoka University, is set up by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The vision of the Centre is to establish an institution in India that is globally reputed for thought leadership and excellence in impactful, evidence-based behaviour change interventions for poor and marginalized populations. The Centre works in the areas of nutrition, sanitation, maternal health, family planning and financial services. The Centre executes this vision through a mix of (i) behaviour change programmes, in partnership with the Government of India and non-government organizations (ii) foundational research to improve the field’s understanding of poor & marginalized communities, the channels to reach them and the content to engage them and (iii) capability building – bringing latest advances in behavioural science, design thinking, data science & implementation science to design sharper interventions

1. Senior Advisor for UP BIU (Behaviour Science Specialist for Uttar Pradesh Behavioural Insights Unit)

Reports to Deputy Director, State BIU, CSBC

Location :  Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

Overview of the Role
This is an exciting opportunity to set up behavioural science projects in Uttar Pradesh, to strengthen policy outcomes in key sectors such as health and nutrition, maternal and new born care, water and sanitation. The Behaviour Science Specialist will be responsible for setting up research projects and creating pathways to scale-up through understanding the policy context, working closely with government officials and applying a behavioural science lens.

Key Responsibilities
The Behaviour Science Specialist will lead partner relations and the setting up and running of a portfolio of behavioural science related projects in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Responsibilities include:

• Stakeholder management: giving visibility to the value of behavioural science to decision makers in government and their partners in Uttar Pradesh.
• Ideating and setting up new collaborative projects: working closely with senior government officials, partners, and the CSBC team to identify new projects with behavioural solutions and planning the pathway to launch the projects.
• Capacity building of government officials, enabling them to use behavioural insights in their day-to-day work and programmes and apply them to policy priorities through developing a kit of case studies, briefings, and professional tools.
• Advisory services: Provide rapid advisory services to states/districts on the integration of behaviour change components into ongoing programmes.
• Engaging partner organisations to bring in additional expertise for complex projects where there are specific needs.
• Deepen understanding of the government system: guide the UP BIU team to study how behavioural interventions can operate in the structures and systems in government, and to prepare scale-up plans for government departments.

Skills and Qualifications Required

• A minimum of 6 to 8 years of work experience with completion of a range of different behavioural science projects.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in economics, social sciences, public policy, sociology or related fields.
• A track record of establishing and managing partner relations for organisations to collaborate.
• Strong communication skills, including official correspondence, presentations, project proposals, and executive reports.
• An ability to construct a vision and the pathways for getting work done in a complex and changing environment.
• Fluency in English and Hindi (required).

Duration The position is initially for one year, with a view to extend further.

Location
This role is based in Lucknow. Applicants who can work in Lucknow full-time will be preferred; and applicants who can work in Lucknow for a minimum for 10 days a month will be considered. The candidate should have work authorisation in India (preferably Indian citizenship or Overseas Citizenship of India).

Compensation
Remuneration is competitive with the sector and will vary depending on the candidate’s qualifications and work experience)

How to Apply
Please send your application to careersatcsbc@ashoka.edu.in.

Your application must include:

• The name of the position you are applying for (in the subject line).
• A one-page cover letter highlighting relevant experience and a one-page CV. Please combine both documents into one PDF attachment.
• A mention of where you came across this job opening.

We recommend that you apply early as applications will be processed as they are received and the position may be filled before the closing date.

We are an equal opportunity organisation and promote diversity. Women, differently-abled persons, and SC/ST/OBC candidates are encouraged to apply

2. Project Manager – Bihar Behavioural Insights Unit

Location : Patna, Bihar

Reports to Deputy Director, BIU, CSBC

Overview of the Role
The Bihar Behavioural Insights Unit was started a year back in 2021, and currently has a range of exciting projects including to uplift the ultra-poor through partnering with JEEViKA, the State Rural Livelihoods Mission, to improve road-cleaning and work of sanitation workers with Patna Municipal Corporation, and a scale-up of a behaviour science informed kit to promote COVID-19 safe behaviours. We are excited to expand the team with a new project to address the adherence of Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) supplements to reduce anaemia among women of reproductive age and adolescents. This is an exciting team to join with government partners capable of large scale change.

Key Responsibilities
The Project Manager will be responsible for deliverables of the State BIU team, in the following areas:

• Partner relations: Working closely with senior government officials and partners to identify and align on policy challenges to prioritise.
• Policy analysis: Will produce regular internal briefings on policy context, stakeholder analysis, and to forecast and track changes in government priorities and opportunities for our work.
• Planning and running workshops, events and projects with the government and other partners, with a behavioural insights for capacity building, knowledge sharing, and to general new projects.
• Supporting the CSBC research team to run diagnostic studies, pilot projects and to generate behavioural solutions to solve policy challenges.
• Creating scale-up plans for effective behavioural interventions that are aligned with existing government processes and structures.
• Overseeing budgets, financial management, grant reporting and contracting requirements related to projects.

Skills and Qualifications Required

• Only candidates with a minimum of 6 years of work experience in managing partnership relations or working with a government, or managing projects with the government are eligible.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in economics, social sciences, public policy, sociology or related fields.
• Strong skills in writing and documentation and giving convincing presentations.
• Ability to manage and respond to varied tasks quickly and efficiently.
• Experience with conducting field research.
• Experience working with government officials.
• Ability to give and receive constructive feedback.
• Fluency in English and Hindi (required).
• Brings energy to the team, and takes away learning in equal measure.
• Experience of working in Bihar is an advantage, but not necessary.

Location and Duration
This is a full-time (2 years) role, with possibility of extension and is based out of Patna, Bihar. Applicants should be authorised to work in India.

Remuneration
Remuneration will be competitive with Indian non-profit pay scales and will depend upon the candidate’s experience levels and the overall organisation’s salary structure.

Compensation
Remuneration is competitive with the sector and will vary depending on the candidate’s qualifications and work experience)

How to Apply
Please send your application to careersatcsbc@ashoka.edu.in.

Your application must include:

• The name of the position you are applying for (in the subject line).
• A two-page CV and a one-page cover letter highlighting your experience relevant to the job requirements.
• Please combine both documents into one PDF attachment.
• Details about the last compensation you received, expected salary, and notice period.
• A mention of where you came across this job opening.
• If you were referred by or have already spoken to someone at CSBC, kindly mention their name.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

We recommend that you apply early as applications will be processed as they are received and the position may be filled before the closing date.

We are an equal opportunity organisation and promote diversity. Women, differently-abled persons, and SC/ST/OBC candidates are encouraged to apply.

3. Project Associate – Bihar Behavioural Insights Unit

Location : Patna, Bihar

Reports to Policy Manager, CSBC

Overview of the Role
The Bihar Behavioural Insights Unit was started a year back in 2021, and currently has a range of exciting projects including to uplift the ultra-poor through partnering with JEEViKA, the State Rural Livelihoods Mission, to improve road-cleaning and work of sanitation workers with Patna Municipal Corporation, and a scale-up of a behaviour science informed kit to promote COVID-19 safe behaviours. We are excited to expand the team with a new project to address the adherence of Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) supplements to reduce anaemia among women of reproductive age and adolescents. This is an exciting team to join with government partners capable of large scale change.

Key Responsibilities
The Project Associate will have a key role to ensure the work of our team is informed with the local context of the policy ecosystem, and a clear understanding of the operating of government systems. Our team requires both deep analysis of evidence, and clarity of the landscape we will work in, to strengthen our understanding of problems and how we may innovate solutions and evaluate impact. The Project Associate will support the range of behaviour science informed projects in Bihar, including with diagnostic studies, briefing the design team, and supporting stakeholder engagement, and field research. Accordingly the role includes:

• Intelligence briefings: prepare evidence reviews for your projects and briefings on the policy ecosystem, to inform our overall strategy and work; drawing on government data, academic papers, field studies, and interviewing experts, as required.
• Track current affairs: media briefings for the policy and programme updates to be maintained on a monthly basis.
• Project documentation: maintaining timely records and documentation of project work, including meeting minutes, project logs, progress updates, stakeholder analysis, and support on analysis and content for external presentations and reports, etc.
• Coordinate field studies: as per project needs, including diagnostic qualitative work evaluation studies, assisting in finalising vendors, maintaining data quality, drafting reports and maintaining documentation.
• Supporting projects with: managing financial reporting, and contracting requirements; and preparing updates for stakeholders so there is alignment and clarity on next steps.
• Travel: Travel to and stay in districts as per project needs.
• Organise events and meetings: including workshops, seminars, and public events, under the guidance of the reporting manager and coordinating with other partners.
• Any other tasks based on needs and as assigned by the reporting manager/organisation.

Skills and Qualifications Required

• Only candidates with a minimum of 2 years of work experience in analytical, consulting or policy role are eligible.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in economics, social sciences, public policy, sociology or related fields.
• Strong writing and documentation skills.
• Fluency in English and Hindi (required).
• Experience of working in Bihar is an advantage, but not necessary.

Location and Duration
This is a full-time (1 year) role based out of Patna, Bihar. Applicants should be authorised to work in India.

Remuneration
Remuneration will be competitive with Indian non-profit pay scales and will depend upon the candidate’s experience levels and the overall organisation’s salary structure.

How to Apply
Please send your application to careersatcsbc@ashoka.edu.in.

Your application must include:

• The name of the position you are applying for (in the subject line).
• A two-page CV and a one-page cover letter highlighting your experience relevant to the job requirements.
• Please combine both documents into one PDF attachment.
• Details about the last compensation you received, expected salary, and notice period.
• A mention of where you came across this job opening.
• If you were referred by or have already spoken to someone at CSBC, kindly mention their name.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

We recommend that you apply early as applications will be processed as they are received and the position may be filled before the closing date.

We are an equal opportunity organisation and promote diversity. Women, differently-abled persons, and SC/ST/OBC candidates are encouraged to apply.

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