Openings: Grassroots Research and Advocacy Movement (GRAAM)

Apply by 29th Feb 24

GRAAM (Grassroots Research and Advocacy Movement) is a non profit public policy research and advocacy organization based in India. GRAAM works towards advocating policy change based on empirical evidence and research carried out with grassroots perspectives. It also aims to enrich the interaction between the primary players of the society: the community, the state, civil society organizations, & the private sector to ensure sustained development at the grassroots level.

1.Associate: Communication & Policy Engagement

Position summary

 The incumbent personnel is responsible to carry out the communication, PR and policy engagement activities in a strategic manner. The incumbent is responsible for taking care of communication activities, developing, coordinating and overseeing the policy engagement activities of the organization and its implementation.

Mandatory Skills / Competencies to have or possess:

• Broad understanding of the development sector and cross cutting social & economic issues
• Passion for social / community development
• Excellent communication and presentation skills both in English (is must) and Kannada (desirable), ability to communicate with senior management of the companies
• Ability to think / plan innovative program, project – Proposal Writing expertise
• Coordination – ability to work with interdisciplinary team
• Effective social media updates, web updates

Computer / IT Skills:

• Proficient in Canva
• MS Office, particularly MS Word, MS Excel and Power Point, Internet Operation
• Designing Skills: Brochures, leaf-lets and other such communication materials
• Video Development and Editing

Key Functional Areas

• Developing and Disseminating Bimonthly Newsletter 
• Handling Website, Blog and Social Media of GRAAM and Convening Communication & Information Dissemination Committee to plan quarterly plan for the vertical
•  Take care of all publication activities (i.e. research reports, factsheets, policy briefs, books and other PR materials) in a professional manner coordinating with the printers,   external designers (if any) 
• Media (Press) Coordination: Periodical update of list, communication of key project information, programs, achievements through news items, press release, research briefs              as soon as projects are initiated and completed  
• Support to program heads to maker communication to the donors / key stakeholders appealing and professional   

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Work with GRAAM team to get the data / information for the newsletter, process the write-ups and prepare a news letter
• Preparation of news items, press release, research briefs, policy briefs as soon as projects are initiated and completed  
• Day to day updating of web page, Social Media sites of GRAAM (twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook)
• Convening Communication / Information Dissemination Committee Meeting and ensuring the communication / information sharing with a clear plan
• SPOC for all the media relationship management
• Plan, coordinate and strategically disseminate advocacy messages of GRAAM to different audiences and stakeholders including Govt. officials, media, partner organizations,          CSOs, elected representatives, etc through various channels with the approval of the reporting authority
• Generate and coordinate the generation of advocacy material and advocacy tools of the organization – concept notes, policy briefs, factsheets, presentations, and other documents on identified issues
• Work with the research team on compilation, consolidation and organization of evidences for advocacy messages of GRAAM
• Build networks and collaborations for GRAAM with various bodies including CSOs, Government bodies, professional associations, people’s movements, institutions and individuals (subject experts on public policy, advocacy, etc)
• Plan and organize / co-organize events for dialogues among stakeholders, evidence building and dissemination and for furthering the advocacy messages of GRAAM
• Participate and represent the organization in events related to the organization’s areas of interest and where the organization’s identity, experience and messages of advocacy  can be shared, promoted and/or furthered
• Work with researchers to ensure incorporation and development of policy communication perspective in the research
• Design and develop required audio-visual communication materials for effective community reach and mobilization
• Preparing award / recognition related applications, documents for the organization
• Providing a support in preparing, reviewing / restructuring the reports and documents as assigned by the reporting authority from time to time
• Any other related assignments may be entrusted by the reporting authority

KEY RESULT AREAS and INDICATORS for 2024-25:

• Bimonthly ‘GRAAM Policy Scan’ (an e-newsletter) that provides an update on GRAAM activities, research updates and interesting development insights (06 per FY)
  • 10 informative updates and 10 Organizational updates per month on each social medial page of GRAAM (FB/LinkedIn/Instagram/Twitter) 
  • 4 independent articles for the newsletter   
• 04 newspaper or periodical article inputs / support to the ED (half yearly) and publication coordination    
• 2 Policy Briefs – Skill Development (based on our skill studies) and Health Systems and Indigenous Community Development (on Forest Rights Act)
• 02 Research Briefs – Based on KEA Evaluation Projects (TVET – Samagra Shiksha)    
• 20 Fact Sheets – in coordination with the respective team (TVET – Samagra Shiksha – Entrepreneurship Study in Tumkur – Traditional Healers Study – Sugamya Shiksha)
• 02 Communication/Advocacy Events (Ground Realities)
• Consolidated and Validated GRAAM Communication / PR Data Base categorizing different group such as Academia / Research / NGO / Corporate / Annual Report etc (constantly updated with the support of PA to ED)
• Publish Previous Years Annual Report by 15^th August  
• Coordinating for developing GRAAM Corporate Video with external experts by December 2024
• A brochure / handbook on GRAAM’s Successful Endeavors in brining change in coordination with different vertical leads  by February 2024 & Engaging 10 interns to support above activities – one intern at any given point of time

Woring Location : Bengaluru / Mysuru

No. of Position : 01

2. Vertical Head / Senior Research Fellow (SRF)

Position Summary :  

The incumbent is responsible for planning and implementing overall research activities pertaining to his or her vertical. The incumbent is required to support the Head – Research in achieving organizational goals. The incumbent is also responsible to facilitate and ensure that high quality research proposals / grants and publications are written by him/her and the entire team. The incumbent shall ensure effective coordination between different verticals to achieve required project and organizational outputs.

Skill / Competence Requirements : 

• Passion to work in the development sector and conviction to bring the change through evidence based public policy  
• Knowledge of current community challenges and issues
• Grant Writing / Proposal Writing
• Financial management for managing budget / finances of research projects
• Knowledge of project management
• Ability to think strategically, remaining focused on goals and objectives 
• High level of organization and attention to detail
• Ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and be persistent, and solve problems as they arise
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse personalities, and the wide variety of professional backgrounds and experiences of organizations, government and NGOs and communities
• Experience working with a variety of public, private, nonprofit and grassroots organizational structures
• Highly proficient and knowledgeable in the use of current computer software and tools
• Statistical Packages such as SPSS/STATA/R  or NVIVO or other such packages

Description of Duties / Responsibilities : 

• Explores research opportunities in India and South Asia actively
• Writes proposals as necessary to get the funding as required by different donor agencies
• Designs implementation plans for research projects keeping the geographic realities in consideration and ensures effective their implementation
• Manage entire research cycle from planning to report finalization
• Prepares clearly written technical and analytical research / evaluation reports
• Developing research and policy briefs
• Manages the staffing and training of internal and external resources working in the respective research vertical
• Represents GRAAM in various collaborative activities and projects, including meetings, public events, seminars, workshops and training events;
• Co-develops, implements and monitors an evaluation plan addressing logic model, strategic and program evaluation questions, data collection methods, analysis and reporting
• Develops relationships with other agencies and service providers required to execute research activities across India and other countries as it progresses
• Conducts research and analysis of issues as requested, including preparation of reports, white papers and journal publications recommendations and other materials
• Develop academic / training programs as well as coordinate implementation of program such as Program Evaluation Workshop that GRAAM conducts regularly
• Provide leadership for the development of different research vertical entrusted with
• Responsible to carry out required correspondence with the potential donors for the funding support
• Any other related assignments may be entrusted by the reporting authority from time to time

Key Result Areas : 

• Should be able to produce 04 successful project grants in a year
• Should work on at least TWO concurrent research projects (national level)
• Publish 02 Papers in reputed peer reviewed journals
• Publish 06 working papers

Base Location : Bangalore/Mysore/New Delhi.

No. of Positions : 03

3. Senior Manager – Strategic Consulting (SCT) & Academics & Capacity Building

Position Summary :  

The incumbent is based out of Delhi or Bengaluru or Mysuru locations of GRAAM and is responsible to source revenue (project acquisition, grants and business) to the organization, provide Policy / Strategy / Project Consulting services to clients of GRAAM, plan and spearhead academic activities such as trainings / workshops and develop and manage partnerships etc.

Skill Requirements : 

• Broad understanding of the development sector and cross cutting social & economic issues
• Proven ability of writing grant proposals
• Excellent project management skills
• Corporate Social Responsibility Landscape
• Writing Vision / Strategy / Plan Documents
• Training and Academic Program Planning and Management
• Strong exposure to Grant sourcing, Project acquisition and Action Research projects
• Preparation and Submission of Project Proposals / Bids
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English

Description of Duties / Responsibilities :

Primary:

• Keep an eye on various call for proposals / research grants
• Conducting market research and studying market trends of social sector
• Correspondence with the internal team and research target groups to execute assigned activities
• Assist in implementing programs as per the plan
• To coordinate with other divisions of the organization in carrying out designated activities
• To meet and represent GRAAM with partner organizations/clients as and when required at various stages –

Excellent presentation skills

•  Source / Review and Identify Research / Program Evaluation / Implementation / Consulting Grants which suit GRAAM on a quarterly basis.
• Approaching Corporates/ Govt Departments/ Consulting and International Agencies for new Projects and revenue generation.
• Developing networks with National, International, Bi-lateral and multilateral agencies.
• Ensure Developing and Dissemination of Bi-Monthly CSR New digest.
• Writing Vision Documents – Policy Documents – Strategy Documents (with the inputs from domain experts or independently)
• Supporting in Conducting webinar in a quarter on the topic relevant to CSR/Research/Consulting/Contemporary issues
• Conducting GRAAM CSR-Vocal an Interview series with CSR Leaders or any such high-profile activities as a strategy to build relationship with Corporates 
• Developing and Organizing Training / Conferences / Workshops as revenue as well as profile building measures
• Sourcing Consultants and service providers for extending GRAAM’s activities and reach
• Effectively Managing Research / Evaluation Projects of GRAAM
• Devising strategies to increase revenue and promote growth

KEY RESULT AREA

• Acquiring two Research / Evaluation / Impact Assessment projects every quarter
• Acquiring one new expert Advisory / strategic consulting project – every quarter
• Acquiring implementation (Action Research) projects – Four in a year
• Planning and Implementing Academic Programs (Trainings / workshops / conferences) – FOUR in a year
• Building Partnerships with Like-minded organizations of national / international repute to expand / strengthen GRAAM – 04 in year

Base location : Bengaluru / Mysuru / Delhi

No. of Positions : 01

4. Head – Programs and Community Consultation

Position Summary:

The incumbent is based out of Bengaluru Office of GRAAM. Responsible for the community consultation activities that includes program / project management (action research) and community engagement.  Th responsibilities in nutshell includes sourcing and leading the implementation / action research projects, planning and coordinating the data collection activities building a strong network with partner organizations across the country.

Skill / Competence Requirement:

• Leading the team as enabler and motivator
• Overall project management and survey management
• Program Reporting and Documentation  
• Flair for field work and working with community
• Community consultation and Field based Activity planning and monitoring 
• Should be willing to travel extensively within and across different districts and states of India.
• Substantial understanding about the community processes
• Expertise to document lessons learnt and best practices from the grassroots
• Analytical, written and oral communication skills required to translate local/vernaculars/dialects
• Good English (written and verbal)  and Hindi (written desirable and verbal is a must) and Kannada is advantageous   
• Good computer, critical thinking and analytical skills (MS Office, Online Survey tools desirable)

Description of Duties / Responsibilities

• Developing project proposals and presenting it effectively to the clients / partners
• Project plan development, budgeting and management
• Building network with NGO at state and national level to establish a dependable grassroots partnership for GRAAM
• Team Communication and Management: Allocating necessary activities and plans to team / partner organizations as required by the project, preparing and negotiating contracts, budgets and survey plans
• Conceptualizing and Executing, Supervise and monitor the activities/programs/projects as part of the team
• Actively engaging in development of operational plan for implementation of Community consultation plan
• Taking responsibilities for quality implementation and execution of activities under CC Team.
• Planning and managing data collection activity including field validation / field checks for ensuring data sanctity / quality  
• Periodically recruit and train field short term surveyors / enumerators for various research and study related activities 
• Manage logistical coordination for field surveyors training and survey activity 
• Development / Translation / Contextualization of research tools in coordination with the research team and community consultation team  
• Conducting Participatory Research and Rural Appraisals Activities
• Coordinating with Govt Departments and other stakeholders to seek permissions and  with CBOs, PRIs, People representatives for obtaining necessary cooperations for conducting field surveys
• Developing budgets for data collection activities in coordination as required by the study
• Contribute towards website updating, news letter from community engagement
• Any other related assignments may be entrusted by the reporting authority

Secondary:

• Participate in developing field survey capacity building resource materials, tools etc
• Participate in training programs organized by the organization as a resource person
• Logistical coordination during organizational event
• Facilitating field visits to the visitors and team

KPI:

• Source Action Research / Implementation Projects for the organization
• Source Data Collection Assignments
• Build a strong network of 60 Grassroots NGOs in Karnataka   (02 for each district)
• Build a network of 40 Grassroots NGOs in India (one from each state / UT) for undertaking field research
• Successful Completion of Assigned Project responsibility within stipulated time and quality

Base location : Bengaluru / Mysuru

No. of Positions : 01

5. Head – Communications & Policy Engagement (CPE)

Position Summary : 

The Senior Manager in the Communication & Policy Engagement profile is responsible for various tasks related to policy analysis, communication strategy, and engagement. Key responsibilities include conducting policy scans and creating CSR digests, preparing policy briefs and fact sheets, managing content on the GRAAM website, revising communication and marketing materials, and establishing a dynamic presence on social media platforms. Additionally, the role involves the preparation of news items, press releases, and research briefs. The Senior Manager will play a crucial role in shaping and enhancing the organization’s communication and policy engagement initiatives.

Base location : Bengaluru/Mysuru

No. of position : 01