Manager, Research Operations, Global Knowledge Hub – Indian School of Development Management (ISDM)

ISDM got seeded as an idea in early 2016 when its founders came together with a common vision to launch a first-of-its-kind educational institution that would develop and groom the next generation of professional leaders and managers for the development sector. ISDM envisions building Development Management (or Management for the Social Sectors) as a stand-alone domain and an aspirational choice for professionals in the development sector. The belief is that Development Management will significantly scale up the positive impacts on the lives of people in sustained ways.

By 2025, ISDM aims to become the go-to management institute for top professionals wanting to transform the development sector for a greater impact on people’s lives.

In order to achieve this aim, ISDM has identified three broad focus areas

• Continuously building the one-year-long Post Graduate Program in Development Management (PGP-DM)
• Creating a strong research function that will lay the foundations for
• Development Management and leadership as a unique domain and discipline
• Launching Strategic Capacity Building Programs aimed at influencing and up-skilling middle to senior leaders in the social sector through special workshops, short-term courses, and customized convening.
• Since launching its flagship (and India’s first) PGP in Development Management (the equivalent of a one-year MBA) in 2017, the Institution has placed 200 young professionals on an accelerated path to build, manage and lead Social
• Purpose Organisations (SPOs). ISDM has successfully executed 46 short-term

Open Programs across three cities inducting 142 development professionals from 49 SPOs as ISDM alumni who are now redefining what “impact at scale” means in the development sector. ISDM has created a national character for itself, attracting a diverse range of student and recruiting organisations from across the country. Over these years, ISDM has also built strong partnerships with leading philanthropists, academicians, advisors, and practitioners.

ISDM has audacious ambitions to build a world-class institution, become a global fountainhead of development management knowledge, and define the domain of development management for the Social Sectors.

ISDM is entering a new phase of growth with a revamped program and renewed focus on establishing itself firmly as a preeminent institution in its domain. This requires strategic and energetic institutional leadership.

Global Knowledge Hub (GKH)

The Centres of Excellence are housed within the Global Knowledge Hub, whose role is to strengthen, from end-to-end, the knowledge and practice of Development Management. GKH does this by collating and curating global experiences and knowledge, conducting in-depth research and producing knowledge assets and resources, and collaborating to design products and programs for a wide range of target segments that impact the practice of development management and disseminating knowledge as a public good through like-minded individuals and institutions globally.

Centres of Excellence:

• They are independent units, carrying out research studies, engagement, and other activities in specific domains of development management.
• Their aim is to impact the practice of development management in the Social
• Purpose ecosystem and significantly scale up the positive impact on the lives of people in sustained ways.
• They will drive cutting-edge thinking and become a global authority in that domain.

The Role

The role of this person is to support the GKH Director in the smooth running, governance, and management of the Global Knowledge Hub. Own the plan and provide support to the Centre’s events like conferences and webinars. Work with other internal teams and manage GKH’s networks & partnerships, outreach & engagement, budgets & funding.

Key responsibilities:

• Supporting the GKH Director in the smooth running, governance, and management of GKH, including networks & partnerships, outreach & engagement, budgets & funding
• Stakeholder and CoE project management & operations. Stakeholder outreach & engagement
• Supporting with governance, processes & structures
• CoE conversations, partnerships, database.
• Day-to-day operations – vendor coordination, webpage update, etc. Event coordination & logistics

You must have:

• 8-10 years experience in operations
• Master’s degree with a program management background
• Be passionate about working in the social sector and in knowledge management
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Some experience of working on complex projects involving multiple stakeholders, partners, etc
• Demonstrated ability to take ownership, have accountability, and work in a collaborative and multi-disciplinary team
• Attention to detail, smart thinking, fast learning, and agility will be an asset in this role

You can learn more about us at isdm.org.in The compensation for this role will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.