Job title: Programme Manager – Design & Advisory at Centre for Social and Behaviour Change (CSBC)

Reports to: – Senior Advisor, Head of Design & Advisory at CSBC

Location: New Delhi (With frequent travel to U.P. and other project states)

Experience: 6-7 years of relevant full-time experience

Nature of Work: Full-Time

About Ashoka University

10 years ago, we embarked on a journey to establish a world-class, multi-disciplinary, liberal arts and sciences university in India. Built on the finest global best practices of institution and university governance, Ashoka has truly transformed Indian higher education in India with its unique pedagogy, governance and best practices.

Ashoka is today India’s #1 liberal arts and sciences university that is home to the most diverse student body, a hub for impactful research and a magnet for best-in-class faculty and staff. Ashoka has been ranked in the top five among private Universities in India by QS Asia and has also secured top rank among all Indian Universities in the ‘International Faculty’ indicator. For further information, visit www.ashoka.edu.in.

We aim to co-create a nurturing space for our students, faculty, staff, donors and community positively through universal values:

●  Be Mission-Driven

●  Think Strategically

●  Act Authentically

●  Take Accountability

●  Build Collaboration

●  Deliver Excellence

The Centre for Social and Behaviour Change (CSBC), Ashoka University

CSBC was founded by and is part of Ashoka University and is supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Since our inception, we have been dedicated to expanding and sharing knowledge and underscoring behavioural science’s role in building public programmes that directly impact society. CSBC is building a globally reputed Indian institution, driving behavioural change measures for people and communities. We advance the science and practice of behaviour changes, harnessing cross-disciplinary expertise to improve outcomes in nutrition, sanitation, maternal health, family planning, and financial services through a mix of behavioural change programmes, foundational research and capacity building.

Overview of the role:

CSBC’s Design & Advisory team’s main responsibilities are:

●     Behavioural Diagnostics: Using creative research methods, we uncover behavioural barriers, motivators and social norms around specific challenges related to marginalization and/or poverty. Sometimes we study individuals within households, other times we study individuals with government structures that provide services to citizens.

●     Behavioural Design: We use our knowledge of behavioural insights, behaviour change, and design thinking to create solutions for challenges across multiple policy areas. Sometimes our design process follows a full diagnostic study and other times we jump right into the Design phase.

●     Behavioural Advisory: We leverage existing literature and behaviour science knowledge to advise our partners for rapid solutioning of problem statements

The Programme Manager – Design & Advisory would be responsible for leading diagnostic and design projects, across health, nutrition, education, sanitation, financial inclusion, etc.

The role would provide an opportunity to interact with real-world challenges, using behavioural science and rigorous research and design processes to design solutions whose efficacy will be tested in the lab or in the field. Our team works closely with people who are changing their behaviour, senior academics, high-level bureaucrats and various other developmental partners. We work in close partnership with CSBC’s Behavioural Insights Units in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and at the NITI Aayog.

We are seeking a highly entrepreneurial person, who has strong strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities, as well as an understanding of the realities of implementing change on the ground. S/he must be able to function independently and flexibly, solving problems as they arise and should be comfortable juggling multiple competing objectives

Responsibilities:

The Programme Manager would be responsible for leading the planning and the day-to-day execution of all steps of the behavioural design process. They will be expected to work closely with CSBC’s state teams, particularly in UP, on multiple projects, and their specific responsibilities will include:

Define & Diagnose:

• Scoping out and defining problem statements through collaborative discussions with key stakeholders from state governments and private sectors
• Applying Behavioural Science theories, models and literature to develop a deep understanding of
• a challenge, in areas such as maternal health, nutrition, sanitation etc.
• Leading formative research studies, both field-based and desk-based, through a mix of qualitative & survey-based methodologies
• Disseminating diagnostics in person through meetings, presentations and in writing through diagnostic briefs, reports and social media

Design Solutions:

• Leading design research, including developing protocols, instruments, and measures to prototype interventions to create high-fidelity intervention models to solve real world problems.
• Implementing systematic behavioural design processes, bringing together multidisciplinary approaches
• Planning and leading design workshops to rapidly problem solve behavioural challenges with partners
• Managing work with designers, creative agencies and other consultants to develop high-fidelity interventions

Project-level and Organizational Responsibilities

• Planning and managing the end-to-end of multiple projects, and ensuring timely delivery of high-quality project outputs as per project requirements
• Building relationships with partners and other stakeholders involved in the project, and understanding their requirements
• Oversee project budget, financial management, grant reporting and contracting requirements
• Bringing innovation and creativity to project approach and processes
• Providing Organizational Support:

1. Ideating and innovating on the application of behavioural insights for addressing policy challenges and for contributing to larger behavioural literature
2. Support and mentor associates for their capacity-building and professional growth
3. Supporting with other organizational growth and needs as required.

Skills and qualifications required:

• A minimum of 6-7 yrs of relevant full-time experience in research in the social impact/development sector or a social design role.
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in behaviour science, economics, social sciences, public
• policy, sociology, or related fields.
• Domain skills

1. Well-versed with behavioural science and design thinking, including prominent behavioural design theories, models and frameworks
2. Experience with designing and conducting qualitative, primary research
3. in peri-urban/rural India, and carrying out literature reviews
4. Previous experience in overseeing or leading end-to-end project delivery and managing 2-3 associates or analysts.
5. Appreciative of the practicalities of developing solutions for large-scale change
6. Experience working in Uttar Pradesh and/or in the area of health systems change is appreciated, but not mandatory.

●     Personal

1. Ability to manage and respond to varied tasks in a quick and efficient manner.
2. Strong interpersonal and communications skills, including interacting with partners from government, foundations, and presenting behavioural work
3. Strong critical and analytical thinking skills.
4. Quick to learn, motivated to self-teach and capable of independently translating new knowledge into practice.
5. Ability to give and receive constructive feedback.
6. Fluency in English and Hindi (Required)

Duration: One year with the possibility of extension.

Location and days of work:

The role is based in Delhi. Office attendance is required at least three days in a week with the other days being remote.

This role requires travel to U.P. and other project states when required. This is a full-time role (Monday-Friday) with a contract for a duration of one year, extendable upon mutual agreement. Applicants should be authorised to work in India.

Compensation: Remuneration is competitive with the sector and will vary depending on the candidate's qualifications and work experience.

Send your application to careersatcsbc@ashoka.edu.in, keeping pooja.haldea@ashoka.edu.in in cc Your application must include,

●  Position title (Programme Manager - Design & Advisory) in the subject line of the email

●  A one-page cover letter highlighting relevant experience and a one-page CV. Please combine both documents into one PDF attachment.

●  Please include :

1. The names of two references and their contact info in the cover letter. They will be contacted during the final stage of the recruitment process, after informing the candidate.
2. The last compensation received, expected salary, and notice period.
3. A mention of where you came across this job opening.
4. If you were referred by or have already spoken to someone at CSBC/Ashoka, kindly mention their name.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Last Date for Application: July 5, 2025

We recommend that you apply early, as applications will be processed as they are received, and the position may be filled before the closing date.

We are an equal opportunity organisation and promote diversity. Women, differently-abled persons, and SC/ST/OBC candidates are especially encouraged to apply.

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