Senior Program Manager

Position: Senior Program Manager (SPM), Solution Development, L&D

Location: New Delhi

Experience: 8-12 years

Position Summary

We are seeking a Senior Program Manager, Solution Development- L&D, to lead the design and implementation of transformative capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening competency-based human resource practices for public officials. The role involves leading end-to-end design of a robust and evidence-based solution that is aligned with broader organisational objectives and government priorities

The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of competency-based HR systems, complemented by strong experience in design thinking, project management, and institutional reform.

This role offers a unique opportunity to influence systemic change at scale, working closely with domain experts, public officials, and partner institutions to shape the future of HR and governance reform in India. It is ideal for individuals who thrive on intellectual rigour, creative problem-solving, strategic leadership and the pursuit of long-term institutional reform.

Roles and Responsibilities

Research and Solutioning (Competency-based Learning and Development)

• Leads diagnostic research and synthesises findings to inform the formulation of problem statement, hypothesis and design of integrated competency-based learning and development solutions, in alignment with larger Human Resource Management Reforms
• Translates insights from data and field experience into scalable, context-specific HR and governance practices, addressing gaps in personnel capability and organisational performance
• Ensures solution designs reflect emerging trends and technologies in strengthening public sector capacity building and human resource management
• Oversees the development, refinement and maturity of solution frameworks and toolkits, to enhance organisational and system capacity, in alignment with the mandates of Mission Karmayogi and Capacity Building Commission (CBC)
• Strengthens the institutional processes and capabilities of the government to deliver competency-based capacity-building, leveraging digital infrastructure such as the iGOT-Karmayogi platform, and supports government training institutions and in-house units in implementing scalable, high-impact learning interventions.

Project and Knowledge Management

• Leads end-to-end planning, coordination, and quality assurance across the solution design lifecycle
• Ensures cross-solution alignment across internal verticals and solution delivery teams by embedding standard operating procedures and understanding holistic governance practices
• Establishes systems for structured documentation and version control to maintain institutional knowledge and design integrity
• Curates and disseminates learnings, case documentation, design insights and develops knowledge products (e.g., playbooks, policy briefs) to inform ongoing solution refinement and maturity

Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement

• Manages relationships with internal teams and key government partners to ensure coherence in solution design and delivery
• Leads communication efforts through presentations, reports, and briefings to convey design intent and solution maturity progress
• Ensures cross-functional collaboration with internal teams to gather inputs, share learnings, avoid duplication, and maintain consistency across tools and communication artefacts
• Leads advocacy efforts with senior bureaucratic and political leadership to build consensus and institutionalise a customised competency-based capacity building approach within the state/MDO

Team and Organisational Development

• Leads and mentors a team, guiding work planning, quality control, and developmental support to ensure timely, high-quality delivery
• Supports team performance reviews and identifies opportunities for skill enhancement and role progression
• Contributes to end-to-end talent hiring and management within the organisation, ensuring alignment with organisational culture
• Strengthens organisational culture and visibility by championing internal learning initiatives, fostering a culture of collaboration, and representing the organisation in external forums, partnerships, and knowledge-sharing platforms

Education and Experience

• Bachelors or Masters degree in Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, or a related discipline from a reputed institution
• 8-12 years of relevant professional experience in HR management, capacity building, or project management/consulting, including at least 12 years of experience working within the Indian government ecosystem
• Prior experience in leading teams or managing cross-functional collaborations

Required Competencies

The competencies required to perform the above-mentioned roles and responsibilities are as follows:

Domain Competencies

• Public Administration Understanding: Understands Indias governance and policy landscape to ensure solutions are contextually relevant and aligned with governmental priorities
• Competency-based Learning and Development: Applies competency-based tools and processes to design learning and development frameworks and processes, leveraging adult learning principles and emerging technology

Functional Competencies

• Solution Design and Innovation: Employs design thinking process to develop, refine and innovate solution design
• Analytical Acumen: Assesses information, identifies key insights, and applies structured reasoning to inform design decisions
• Communication & Knowledge Practices: Communicates ideas clearly across formats and captures knowledge for dissemination

Behavioural Competencies

• Developing People: Guides and mentors the team to support professional development
• Learning Orientation: Seeks feedback, reflects on gaps, and fosters a culture of adaptability and continuous improvement within the team
• Collaboration: Builds trust with stakeholders and fosters collaboration and alignment through clear, consistent engagement

Note

• The role will be based out of New Delhi
• Proficiency in Hindi and English
• Remuneration will be competitive with Indian philanthropy and social sector pay scales, depending on the candidates experience levels.
• CEGIS is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against based on race, colour, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin.

Pre-reads for the application process

Please review the following materials before submitting your application.

• CEGIS website
• CLOP Initiative website
• Karmayogi Bharat website
• Concept note on CEGIS
• Chapter 5 of Accelerating India's Development: A State-Led Roadmap for Effective Governance by Prof. Karthik Muralidharan
• You are also encouraged to read more of Prof. Karthik Muralidharans work here.