Senior Program Associate - Outcome Measurement

Centre for Effective Governance of Indian States (CEGIS); Vijayanagara; On-site; INR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Centre for Effective Governance of Indian States (CEGIS) seeks a Senior Program Associate (Outcome Measurement) to advance diagnostics, data management, and analysis for Karnataka’s ECD/Nutrition initiatives. The role collaborates with state/district government, builds dashboards, and supports policy-informed decision making.

Required: 2–5 years experience with a Master's in economics/public policy, strong STATA/R/Python skills, and Kannada proficiency.

Qualifications

• 2-5 years of experience with a Masters degree or equivalent in economics, public policy, social science or related fields from a reputed institution
• Proven experience in project management and analytical contributions
• Strong communication, collaboration, and leadership skills
• Experience with data cleaning and analysis of large and complex data sets and econometric analysis
• Knowledge of STATA or R (strongly preferred) or any other data analysis software preferred
• Experience in client servicing/government projects would be preferred
• Commitment to CEGIS's mission and values
• Deep knowledge of measurement techniques, along with an understanding of how data informs decision making in state government contexts
• Experience in data management and analysis using STATA, R or Python programming
• Experience with administrative data systems such as POSHAN Tracker, HMIS, or state-specific MIS platforms is desirable
• Experience working in ECD context is desirable
• Strong research and analytical aptitude, with ability to analyze complex quantitative and qualitative data, and formulate solutions
• Excellent problem-solving skills and strategic thinking skills
• Excellent writing and communication skills to communicate complex ideas effectively within and outside the organization
• Demonstrated relationship-building ability with government and partner organizations
• Strong planning and organizational skills, ability to set priorities, plan timelines, and meet deadlines
• Passion for improving the effectiveness of Indian States, and alignment with CEGISs theory of change/impact
• Operating style suited to working independently and in a small-organization setting, where teamwork and resourcefulness are highly valued
• Demonstrates high ownership of solutions, projects and workstreams
• Ability to work under pressure, handle competing priorities, maintain attention to detail, and deliver high-quality outputs
• Ability to think creatively, willingness to take risks to experiment with new ideas, and ability to turn ideas into action
• High ability to collaborate and actively listen to others, understanding and valuing others view

Responsibilities

• Supports gathering and quality controlling administrative data from relevant government line departments and finance/planning departments
• Manages all primary, secondary, and administrative data by following data management and security protocols
• Analyzes complex datasets and evaluates data quality across different types of datasets using statistical software and analytical tools
• Integrates analysis across operational, outcome, HR, and finance data to generate cross-cutting insights relevant to ECD/nutrition
• Creates visual representations of data to enhance understanding and prepares outputs such as reports, briefs, dashboards
• Prepares and presents high-quality outputs — review decks, analytical briefs, notes — for government review meetings and internal leadership
• Conducts independent research including secondary research and on-field research, diagnostics and root cause analysis to identify key system and implementation challenges
• Translates analysis into clear insights and recommendations to inform problem-solving and policy decisions
• Creates high-quality knowledge products and concept notes on OM principles and practical toolkits to implement them
• Collaborates across internal teams for solution development, bringing together solutions with a sectoral lens
• Collaborates with other verticals and stakeholders to ensure alignment of diagnostic, analysis and implementation plans to technical thinking of OM
• Communicates project updates, findings, and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders
• Supports the SPM/PM in stakeholder engagement and coordination with relevant departments and external partners
• Tracks workplan milestones, flags risks, and coordinates across workstreams to ensure timely delivery
• Sets, assesses, and reports specific goals for self and remains receptive to feedback
• Owns learning and focuses on self-development by seeking opportunities for growth
• Demonstrates willingness to take up additional responsibilities and collaborate with team members based on project priorities
• CANDIDATES are required to be stationed in Vijayanagara district, Karnataka. Frequent travel within Karnataka will be required. Proficiency in Kannada is required

Skills

Data analysis

Communication

Leadership

Project management

Kannada proficiency

Data visualization

Stata/R

Python/analytics

Policy research

Team collaboration

Education

Master's in economics/public policy/social science

Tools

STATA

R

Python

Job description

The Senior Program Associate (SPA) – Outcome Measurement will play an important role in implementing the CEGIS OM vision in Karnataka, under the ECD/DSS project focused on nutrition outcomes. The role involves working closely with government counterparts at the state and district level to support diagnostics, support review mechanisms, strengthen administrative data systems, and embed data-driven decision making in government processes. The SPA will report directly to the Program Manager / Senior Program Manager, Outcome Measurement.

Data Collection and Analysis:

• Supports gathering and quality controlling administrative data from relevant government line departments and finance/planning departments.
• Manages all primary, secondary, and administrative data by following data management and security protocols.
• Analyzes complex datasets and evaluates data quality across different types of datasets using statistical software and analytical tools.
• Integrates analysis across operational, outcome, HR, and finance data to generate cross-cutting insights relevant to ECD/nutrition.
• Creates visual representations of data to enhance understanding and prepares outputs such as reports, briefs, dashboards.
• Prepares and presents high-quality outputs — review decks, analytical briefs, notes — for government review meetings and internal leadership.

Research, Diagnosis and Solutioning

• Conducts independent research including secondary research and on-field research, diagnostics and root cause analysis to identify key system and implementation challenges.
• Translates analysis into clear insights and recommendations to inform problem-solving and policy decisions.
• Creates high-quality knowledge products and concept notes on OM principles and practical toolkits to implement them.

Collaboration, Communication and Project Management:

• Collaborates across internal teams for solution development, bringing together solutions with a sectoral lens.
• Collaborates with other verticals and stakeholders to ensure alignment of diagnostic, analysis and implementation plans to technical thinking of OM.
• Communicates project updates, findings, and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders.
• Supports the SPM/PM in stakeholder engagement and coordination with relevant departments and external partners.
• Tracks workplan milestones, flags risks, and coordinates across workstreams to ensure timely delivery.

Personal Development

• Sets, assesses, and reports specific goals for self and remains receptive to feedback.
• Owns learning and focuses on self-development by seeking opportunities for growth.
• Demonstrates willingness to take up additional responsibilities and collaborate with team members based on project priorities.

Required Qualifications, Skills and Abilities

Educational Qualifications and Professional Experience

• 2 - 5 years of experience with a Masters degree or equivalent in economics, public policy, social science or related fields from a reputed institution
• Proven experience in project management and analytical contributions.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and leadership skills.
• Experience with data cleaning and analysis of large and complex data sets and econometric analysis
• Knowledge of STATA or R (strongly preferred) or any other data analysis software preferred
• Experience in client servicing/government projects would be preferred
• Commitment to CEGIS's mission and values
• Deep knowledge of measurement techniques, along with an understanding of how data informs decision making in state government contexts.
• Experience in data management and analysis using STATA, R or Python programming.
• Experience with administrative data systems such as POSHAN Tracker, HMIS, or state-specific MIS platforms is desirable.
• Experience working in ECD context is desirable.
• Strong research and analytical aptitude, with ability to analyze complex quantitative and qualitative data, and formulate solutions
• Excellent problem-solving skills and strategic thinking skills.
• Excellent writing and communication skills to communicate complex ideas effectively within and outside the organization.
• Demonstrated relationship-building ability with government and partner organizations
• Strong planning and organizational skills, ability to set priorities, plan timelines, and meet deadlines
• Passion for improving the effectiveness of Indian States, and alignment with CEGISs theory of change/impact
• Operating style suited to working independently and in a small-organization setting, where teamwork and resourcefulness are highly valued.
• Demonstrates high ownership of solutions, projects and workstreams.
• Ability to work under pressure, handle competing priorities, maintain attention to detail, and deliver high-quality outputs
• Ability to think creatively, willingness to take risks to experiment with new ideas, and ability to turn ideas into action
• High ability to collaborate and actively listen to others, understanding and valuing others view

Role Logistics

Candidates are required to be stationed in Vijayanagara district, Karnataka. Frequent travel within Karnataka will be required. Proficiency in Kannada is required.