Associate Data Lead

CivicDataLab; New Delhi; On-site; INR 1,350,000 - 1,750,000; Full time

Job summary

CivicDataLab in Delhi is seeking an Associate Data Lead to collaborate with technologists, researchers and leadership to build and scale data products. You will lead data strategy, governance and user-centric innovation, guiding cross-functional teams to deliver impact at scale.

You will harness data, AI and open data practices to expand CDL’s product solutions such as DataSpace and ParakhAI, while ensuring delivery quality, alignment with partner needs, and responsible use of data across

Qualifications

• Proven experience in product management, technology-driven programs, data governance, or related fields.
• Deep understanding of data-driven decision-making, product design, and development lifecycles, with agile methodologies and rapid prototyping.
• Strong understanding of data pipelines, ETL processes, and big data technologies.
• Proficiency in open-source tools for data visualization, data processing, and analytics (e.g., Apache Superset, Metabase).
• Proficiency in SQL, Python, or other data-oriented programming languages.
• Knowledge of AI/ML applications for the public good and their integration into product development.
• Experience managing a multidisciplinary product team and collaborating with technologists, designers, and data experts.
• Hands-on experience with data pipelines, APIs, and cloud infrastructure.
• Experience working with version control systems such as GitHub and a proven ability to manage open-source projects.
• Exceptional communication skills (written and verbal), with the ability to create compelling documentation, reports, and proposals.
• Comfortable to travel for fieldwork, stakeholder consultations, and product implementation & deployment.

Responsibilities

• Execute a comprehensive data strategy that aligns with the CDL’s goals and mission across initiatives.
• Lead and mentor a team of data professionals, including data engineers, researchers, and data analysts.
• Work closely with initiative and project leads to support data deliverables in their projects, ensuring alignment with the organisation’s data practices and strategy.
• Leverage data analytics to derive actionable insights, supporting both internal teams and external stakeholders. Develop data visualisation and reporting methodologies to drive strategic decisions.
• Oversee data governance and quality to ensure compliance with domain standards.
• Oversee the development of data and AI products and services, including but not limited to DataSpace, ParakhAI, IDS‑DRR and Data & AI Capacity Building.
• Work with the product and service teams to ensure that data products are aligned with the partner’s needs and the company’s mission.
• Support product development activities and coordinate teams across product development lifecycles, ensuring timely and high‑quality delivery.
• Manage feature priorities, balancing user needs and technical feasibility.
• Maintain and update technical documentation, including data product feature specifications and standards.
• Document compliance with open data, security, and ethical AI guidelines, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Create knowledge resources contributing to CivicDataLab’s thought leadership in open data and technology for the public good.
• Contribute to fundraising efforts to sustain and scale data products.
• Engage with stakeholders on the ground, pilot testing, and feedback collection.
• Represent CDL in discussions on data standards, privacy, and emerging technologies at industry forums and conferences.
• Travel to project sites as needed to support implementation, training, and deployment of the product.

Skills

Product management

Data governance

Agile methodologies

Rapid prototyping

Data analytics

Open data / civic tech

Leadership

Tools

Apache Superset

Metabase

GitHub

Cloud platforms

Job description

Associate Data Lead

About CivicDataLab

We work at the intersection of data, technology, design and social science to strengthen the data for public good ecosystem and citizen participation in governance. CivicDataLab (CDL) harnesses the potential of open knowledge movements to strengthen the data-for-public-good ecosystem and enable citizens to engage in matters of public reform. We work closely with governments, non‑profits, think‑tanks, media houses and universities to enhance their data and technology capacity to better data‑driven decision‑making at scale.

Our current areas of expertise include digital public goods & infrastructure (DPGs & DPI), climate action, public finance, urban development, open contracting and law & justice. We have co‑created digital public goods like open data platforms, data exchanges, AI models and citizen‑led apps for improving participatory data‑driven governance in India and other countries.

What are we looking for

Total Experience: 5 to 8 years

We are seeking an Associate Data Lead for a full‑time role in Delhi. In this role, you will collaborate with cross‑functional teams – including technologists, sectoral experts, and leadership – to build and scale impactful data products. You will be responsible for managing, ensuring seamless execution, and driving user‑centric innovation.

You will need to harness the capabilities of data, AI and emerging technologies to create solutions to advance better data‑driven decision‑making and participation amongst users, to scale existing CDL’s product solutions and conceptualise new data‑driven solutions to advance participation.

Key Responsibilities

Data Strategy & Leadership

• Execute a comprehensive data strategy that aligns with the CDL’s goals and mission across initiatives.
• Lead and mentor a team of data professionals, including data engineers, researchers, and data analysts.
• Work closely with initiative and project leads to support data deliverables in their projects, ensuring alignment with the organisation’s data practices and strategy.
• Leverage data analytics to derive actionable insights, supporting both internal teams and external stakeholders. Develop data visualisation and reporting methodologies to drive strategic decisions.
• Oversee data governance and quality to ensure compliance with domain standards.

Support in Product Development and Management

• Oversee the development of data and AI products and services, including but not limited to DataSpace, ParakhAI, IDS‑DRR and Data & AI Capacity Building.
• Work with the product and service teams to ensure that data products are aligned with the partner’s needs and the company’s mission.
• Support product development activities and coordinate teams across product development lifecycles, ensuring timely and high‑quality delivery.
• Manage feature priorities, balancing user needs and technical feasibility.

Scaling & Documentation

• Maintain and update technical documentation, including data product feature specifications and standards.
• Document compliance with open data, security, and ethical AI guidelines, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Create knowledge resources contributing to CivicDataLab’s thought leadership in open data and technology for the public good.
• Contribute to fundraising efforts to sustain and scale data products.

Field Engagement & Travel

• Engage with stakeholders on the ground, pilot testing, and feedback collection.
• Represent CDL in discussions on data standards, privacy, and emerging technologies at industry forums and conferences.
• Travel to project sites as needed to support implementation, training, and deployment of the product.

Recommended Skills & Qualifications

• Proven experience in product management, technology‑driven programs, data governance, or related fields, preferably in civic tech, open data, or public sector projects.
• Deep understanding of data‑driven decision‑making, product design, and development lifecycles, with expertise in agile methodologies and rapid prototyping.
• Strong understanding of data pipelines, ETL processes, and big data technologies.
• Proficiency in open‑source tools for data visualisation, data processing, and analytics (e.g., Apache Superset, Metabase).
• Proficiency in SQL, Python, or other data‑oriented programming languages.
• Knowledge of AI/ML applications for the public good and their integration into product development.
• Experience managing a multidisciplinary product team and collaborating with technologists, designers, and data experts.
• Hands‑on experience with data pipelines, APIs, and cloud infrastructure.
• Experience working with version control systems such as GitHub and a proven ability to manage open‑source projects.
• Exceptional communication skills (written and verbal), with the ability to create compelling documentation, reports, and proposals.
• Comfortable to travel for fieldwork, stakeholder consultations, and product implementation & deployment.

Other Details

• Location: Delhi
• Language: English, Hindi
• Engagement: Full‑time; immediate start

Benefits

Cost to Organisation (CTO) range: 13.5 LPA - 17.5 LPA

The overall compensation package includes fixed remuneration, statutory benefits, and performance‑linked components, in accordance with organisational policies. A portion of the annual compensation is linked to continuity with the organisation and achievement of agreed performance expectations. Exceptional performance may also be eligible for additional incentives under the organisation's reward and recognition framework.

Our Commitment to Diversity

We are committed to inclusive hiring and strongly encourage applicants from diverse and under‑represented gender and caste identities and/or sociocultural backgrounds to apply for this role. Our organisational policies are gender‑neutral, including the POSH policy and leave policy. We provide 6 months of paid time off as parental leave for the primary caregiver and 6 weeks of paid time off for the secondary caregiver, including adoption.