Senior Program Manager

About the Role

We are looking for a Senior Program Manager for Communications. This role is responsible for all of CEGIS content produced for governments, donors, potential employees, current employees, partners and alumni. The role is responsible for both content refinement (with the core content and messages coming from the solutions teams ) and deployment using owned and earned media channels. Currently reporting to the Head of External Engagements , the role is part of the larger Central Leadership team which looks to shape the brands positioning and provide the crucial fuel to the state delivery teams, solutions teams as well as donor management and fundraising teams. The role serves as a strategic partner to People and Culture and the Senior Leadership Team including the CEO.

Key Responsibilities

Owning the narrative and key messaging strategy

• Develop strategic narratives that communicate our value proposition clearly to governments (at multiple levels) , donors, partners, and other key external/ internal audiences.
• Create relatable messaging that links to CEGIS goals and drives necessary action from key audience groups - government, donors (international and domestic) , partners , current and potential employees
• Building and maintaining communications centric relationships with key advocates - donors, partners, board members and others who can serve as powerful voices for CEGIS and its narrative and goals

Management of earned and owned media

• Lead a team that manages current social media channels (Linkedin, Instagram, X ) and website
• Work with the solutions, states and other internal teams to finetune and develop all content - text, visual and video based in a cohesive and cost effective manner, with adherence to brand guidelines and which further the org goals.
• Owner of the annual report and all other standard and existing publications including newsletters targeted at specific audiences (Existing employees, alumni and the the overall ecosystem)

Using communications as a key driver to build the governance ecosystem

• Drive existing properties like Governance Dialogues- the ecosystem building webinars around key themes that CEGIS works on in accordance with the organisation strategy. Understand topical contexts and relevance , identify communications opportunities and work with the solutions and state teams to deliver basis these opportunities.
• Showcase stories of excellent work done by the bureaucracy and the governance machinery in driving systematic impact ( CEGIS womens day videos, CEGIS in conversation with Dr Saurabh Garg, Secretary, MOSPI)

Partner -Centric Engagement

• Leverage CEGIS network of partners to explore joint communications - from publishing to events to social media campaigns
• Drive cohesive communications based partnerships with other TCF (Convergence Foundation ) organisations that amplify the message of state capacity enhancement
• Own editorial relationships with mainline and specialist publications as well as key institutions and organisations for ecosystem events and convenings

Design process excellence and visual storytelling

• Select,maintain and continually evaluate the work of external vendors and agencies to deliver content for CEGIS
• Supervise (along with the team), deliver QC and look at better visual ways of telling our story
• Evolve and adapt brand guidelines basis ecosystem trends , ensure broadbased adoption of these guidelines across all touchpoints

Team development

• Recruit , train and manage a team of communications resources basis evolving requirements
• Allocate projects, evaluate and manage career development for the team

Key Working Relationships

Internal

• Chief Executive Officer (CEO): Collaborate closely for strategic direction, key decision-making, and alignment of communications priorities with the organizations overall mission and vision.
• Co-founder and Scientific Director: Partner to ensure that the organizations communication outputs reflect research accuracy, integrity, and scientific rigor.
• Senior Management Team: Work in coordination with the Chief of Solutions, Head of State Engagements, and other senior leaders to develop and disseminate impactful narratives around institutional initiatives and outcomes.
• State and Vertical Leads: Liaise regularly to capture on-ground insights, success stories, and implementation progress for amplification across platforms.
• Knowledge Creation and Management (KCM) Team: Collaborate to translate technical and analytical outputs into accessible knowledge products for diverse audiences.
• Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Team: Engage to communicate evidence-based outcomes and demonstrate the organizations impact through data-driven storytelling.

External

• TCF Communications Teams (and partner organizations): Coordinate messaging, branding, and outreach to ensure alignment and coherence across all communication channels.
• Vendors and Agencies: Manage relationships with creative, media, and PR partners for the design, production, and dissemination of high-quality communication materials.
• Key Publications and Media Outlets: Build and sustain relationships with sectoral and mainstream media to drive visibility and coverage of CEGISs work.
• Sectoral and Policy Organisations: Engage with organizations and platforms that influence public discourse and policy to enhance CEGISs salience and thought leadership.
• Partners and Collaborators: Work with institutional partners, funders, and other stakeholders to ensure consistent representation of CEGISs vision, impact, and strategic priorities.

What We're Looking For

• At least 10 years of experience in the social impact space in a comms / partnerships role out of which at least 4 years in a think tank / org working with the government
• Must have handled some degree of donor comms and communications related partnerships
• Being a designer is an advantage but not a mandate, however an eye for design and ability to deliver top quality content is a must
• Proven ability to work on narrative development and contextualised story telling , recognising the importance of carefully curated and tailored stories.
• Dynamic self starter who can juggle multiple responsibilities and often shifting priorities.
• Excellent communicator and team player

Location and Compensation

Location: The role can be based out of Delhi/ Hyderabad/ Bangalore/ Chennai. Travel to other states may be required.

Remuneration will be competitive with Indian philanthropy and social sector pay scales and will depend on the candidates experience levels.

Interested candidates are requested to submit their applications by clicking the apply button below

Note: CEGIS has zero tolerance for sexual harassment. We therefore expect each applicant to self-declare related to the same. CEGIS could, if required, initiate a prevention of sexual harassment-based background verification. If an applicant is reported for misconduct, appropriate action that may include employment termination would be taken. Please complete the details for self-declaration on the application form.

Pre-reads for the application process

Please go through the following materials before sending in your application:

• Concept note on CEGIS
• A glimpse into life at CEGIS - CEGIS Retreat 2024
• CEGIS Snapshot
• Podcast episodes with Prof. Karthik Muralidharan one each on education and healthcare in India.
• You are also encouraged to read more of Prof. Karthik Muralidharans work here and through his book Accelerating Indias Development: A State-Led Roadmap for Indias Development.