Advocacy Manager – Catalysts for Social Action (CSA)

Last date for Application 31st December, 2021

Catalysts for Social Action (CSA) is an Indian NGO that works towards creating and ensuring a brighter future for vulnerable children and children under institutional care. We strive to ensure a better future for children in need of care and protection which pays attention to their physical, emotional, personal, spiritual wellbeing and learning. We believe that every child needs a family or family-like care in a well-managed institution.

At present, CSA works with 87 child care institutions in the states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Goa with over 4000 children. CSA’s Aftercare program has supported more than 900 care leavers towards their rehabilitation and reintegration in society.

We have been working since 2002 as catalysts by leveraging existing institutions and empowering them to improve child outcomes and enhance the quality of care to children. This is achieved by partnering with like-minded child care institutions, individuals and corporations. Over the last 20 years, we have been enabled by our generous donors, supporting partners and volunteers to create a visible impact in the lives of 20000+ children.

Reports to: Head – Advocacy

Salary: As per industry standards, based on experience.

About the Role

One of CSA’s objectives is to strengthen and improve systems of care and protection of vulnerable children in India by creating and disseminating knowledge resources, and to advocate for positive reforms in the field of child protection. In furtherance to this objective, CSA has conducted research studies and published white papers including the white paper on the diminishing number of adoptions in India, a study of deinstitutionalized children in Madhya Pradesh, a white paper on Aftercare which also documents CSA’s learnings from running its own Aftercare support program, and a white paper on institutional care in India. CSA has also created resources to spread awareness on issues related to child rights and child protection which includes India’s first podcast on issues related to children in need of care and protection, titled ‘Care of the State’. In the years to come, CSA plans to take up more research and field action projects, work with communities to spread awareness about children’s rights, and engage with stakeholders in the space to work together towards these objectives.

The Manager – Advocacy is expected to support the team at CSA to develop resources, undertake research and capacity building projects and develop white papers and reports towards achieving the organization’s objectives. This would entail:

a. Conducting and supervising field research, desk research, data collection and analysis.
b. Supporting teams with preparation of training material.
c. Documentation of CSA’s programmatic strategies and good practices.

The prospective candidate would need to have an in-depth understanding of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, other Indian laws related to children, and the functioning of child protection authorities. S/he must have experience of academic research and writing and should be fluent in spoken and written English and Hindi. S/he will work with the Head – Advocacy for the execution of activities.

The role is based in Mumbai and would require travel to project locations on a need basis to support teams with implementation of activities and/or coordination with Government authorities.

Minimum qualifications: Bachelors or Masters in Social Work / Law / or related streams. Must have minimum 5 years of experience of working in the development sector, preferably in the child rights and children protection space. Must have strong research, writing and communication skills.

Application

Applications for the role must be sent to connect@csa.org.in with a CC to satyajeet.mazumdar@csa.org.in by 31st December, 2021. The application must include

a. A covering letter indicating the reason why you consider yourself suitable for the role
b. Updated CV
c. 3 writing samples (e.g. articles / papers / etc.)
d. Expected salary.