Consultant - Strategic Initiatives

Consultant – Strategic Initiatives Job Title: Consultant – Strategic Initiatives Reporting to: Principal Advisor, CBC Experience: 3–6 years Position Summary We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Consultant – Strategic Initiatives to anchor the design and guidance of high-priority, cross-cutting policy initiatives under Mission Karmayogi. This role will drive institutional reforms, support national-level consultations, and enable the transition from training-focused approaches to performance-linked capacity building across Ministries, Departments, and States/UTs, in close alignment with the mandates of the Capacity Building Commission (CBC). The ideal candidate will combine strong conceptual and structuring abilities with the execution discipline needed to move complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives from idea to implementation. With excellent writing and synthesis skills, the ability to manage senior stakeholders, and a capacity to think strategically while executing effectively, the candidate should be driven by a commitment to strengthening public service capacity and enabling systemic reform in government. Roles and Responsibilities Design and Guidance of Strategic, Cross-Cutting Initiatives Anchor the design, structuring, and guidance of high-priority, cross-cutting policy initiatives under Mission Karmayogi, translating broad reform goals into clear workplans and deliverables. Develop concept notes, frameworks, options papers, and implementation roadmaps that shape the direction of national capacity-building reforms. Drive institutional reforms by identifying bottlenecks, designing practical solutions, and supporting their adoption across partner institutions. Enable the transition from training-focused approaches to performance-linked capacity building, including the design of standards, guidelines, and supporting mechanisms. Coordinate closely with internal solution and delivery teams to ensure initiatives are technically sound and grounded in field realities. Track progress against milestones, anticipate risks and dependencies, and ensure timely, high-quality delivery of initiative outcomes. Research, Synthesis, and Knowledge Management Conduct secondary research and landscape reviews on capacity-building reforms, competency frameworks, and relevant national and global best practices. Engage with public officials, domain experts, and partners through interviews and consultations to gather inputs and test ideas. Translate research and field insights into structured knowledge products such as frameworks, policy briefs, presentations, and reports for internal and external dissemination. Maintain robust documentation to ensure institutional memory and shareable learnings across initiatives. National Consultations and Stakeholder Engagement Support and help facilitate national-level consultations, workshops, and structured discussions with Ministries, Departments, States/UTs, and institutional partners. Manage relationships with senior government and institutional stakeholders, preparing high-quality discussion notes, briefing materials, and follow‑up actions. Maintain a regular communication cadence with stakeholders and ensure timely sharing of updates, reports, and deliverables. Build alignment across diverse stakeholders, navigating differing priorities and perspectives to move initiatives forward. Represent the team in select forums and convenings, articulating the rationale and design of initiatives clearly and persuasively. Ensure cross‑functional collaboration with internal teams to gather inputs, avoid duplication, and maintain consistency across initiatives and artefacts. Institutional Reform and Project Management Maintain project trackers, documentation systems, and communication plans to ensure clarity, alignment, and accountability across initiatives. Identify risks, dependencies, and bottlenecks early, and proactively develop mitigation strategies to keep initiatives on track. Support the institutionalisation of reforms by helping design governance mechanisms, standards, and processes that partner institutions can sustain over time. Stay abreast of emerging trends in public administration, capacity building, and governance reform to inform the design of initiatives. Actively participate in internal review and capacity-building processes to enhance the quality and consistency of work aligned with organisational standards. Education and Experience Degree in Public Policy, Economics, Management, Law, Public Administration, Social Sciences, or a related field; a postgraduate qualification is preferred. 3 to 6 years of experience in public policy, management consulting, or government programs, preferably within the Indian public‑sector or development ecosystem. Prior experience managing complex, multi‑stakeholder initiatives, especially with governments, donors, and research organisations. Exposure to capacity building, Mission Karmayogi, or civil‑services reform will be an added advantage. The competencies required to perform the above‑mentioned roles and responsibilities are as follows: Public Administration Understanding: Understands India's governance and policy landscape to ensure solutions are contextually relevant and aligned with governmental priorities. Policy Design and Institutional Reform: Structures complex problems and designs policy and institutional solutions that are practical, contextually relevant, and aligned with governmental priorities. Organisational Capacity and Systems: Analyses organisational performance to drive sustainable improvements in capacity and efficiency. Project Management: Skilled in planning, structuring, resource allocation, risk management, and delivering complex, multi‑stakeholder initiatives aligned with organisational objectives. Analytical Acumen: Ability to assess patterns, synthesise insights to inform decisions. Communication and Knowledge Practices: Communicates ideas clearly and persuasively across formats, with strong writing and structuring skills, and captures knowledge for dissemination. Strategic Thinking and Execution: Thinks strategically about the bigger picture while executing effectively to translate ideas into concrete outcomes. 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. Role Logistics Location: The role will be based out of New Delhi. Languages: Proficiency in English; working knowledge of Hindi will be an advantage. Remuneration: Competitive with Indian philanthropy and social‑sector pay scales, depending on the candidate's experience level. CEGIS is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, colour, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin. #J-18808-Ljbffr CEGIS Foundation