India is one of the most critical countries in the world as we seek human advancement. Shifting the needle on most global indicators can only happen if there is progress made in India. India is amongst the biggest countries in the world for CIFF. The entirety of the CIFF\u2019s portfolio is active in India, i.e., child health and development, ending violence against children, adolescence, child protection, women\u2019s economic empowerment, and climate change.
Built on in-country and global workstreams, CIFF\u2019s newly approved Ending Violence Against Children (EVAC) mission affirms and widens in scope the foundation\u2019s decades long commitment to ensure a bright future and aims to protect millions of children from VAC over the next decade. The EVAC mission pools together multiple programmes under it to end manifestations such as Child Marriage, Child Labour, Child Trafficking, Child Sexual Assault and others through a comprehensive approach entailing pillars such as access to secondary education, access to social protection, and access to child protection. In India, the EVAC Mission is now at the cusp of rapidly scaling Kawach, its signature Child Protection intervention through government Child Protection systems across multiple states. The EVAC Mission is also building its portfolio for helping households develop resilience, particularly to economic shocks through investments such as Migrants Resilience Collaborative and others.
This role will be responsible for strategic leadership, investment proposition, and portfolio management of Child Protection (CP) and Social Protection (SP) investments of the EVAC Mission in India to deliver our priorities. It will include developing strategy, innovating delivery models, refining execution strategy and cultivating partnerships with Government and ecosystem, that accelerates India\u2019s demographic dividends.
Strategy & planning
\u2022 Lead the Mission\u2019s strategic functions for India (and across CIFF as applicable) entailing strategy planning using evidence-informed prioritization, strategy review based on actionable insights, programme and grant structure design, strategic communication, and strategic partnerships
\u2022 Proactively assess the context and ecosystem to modulate the strategy of the relevant mission components for ensuring robust pathway to mission objectives through CIFF investment and ecosystem initiatives informed by CIFF
\u2022 Develop and execute an innovation track; especially on promising forward-looking ideas in CP and SP
\u2022 Identify synergies and actively strengthen integration of CP and SP programmes with other EVAC programmes as a paramount goal by working closely with the EVAC and Programme Excellent teams
\u2022 Identify and enable opportunities for improving processes, procedures and programme management approaches within (and beyond) the team for supporting increased organisational efficiency and effectiveness
Programme Delivery and Performance
\u2022 Lead and manage a portfolio of complex and multi-layered programmes (~$25M+), implemented across multiple states with significant national government engagement. involving 4+ key execution partners \u2014 including large inter-sectional investments under the EVAC India portfolio \u2014 with end-to-end accountability for planning, design, and delivery of short- to medium-term results.
\u2022 In close collaboration with Director EVAC and Programme Excellence team, build and lead CIFF-investable pipeline encompassing design of programmes, identification of appropriate grantees and commissioning of programmes for implementation.
\u2022 Lead the internal communication / socialization of pipeline with CIFF leadership for participatory decision making and successful conversion from ideation to approval
\u2022 Innovate and execute active portfolio management techniques in collaboration with the Programme Excellence team that are customised to the CP and SP portfolio contexts and built on multi-sectoral and multi-source insights for ensuring continuous improvement towards mission and programme goals; especially on opportunities, risks, and momentum
\u2022 Conduct regular evidence-informed reviews of the progress and performance of CP and SP programmes, for identifying challenges early and work with governments and partners to develop effective course correction measures and solutions and co-lead with Programme Excellence team the MEL systems and deliverable for programmes
\u2022 Apply agreed due diligence and risk management protocols appropriately throughout the development and delivery of CP and SP proposals and programmes, to ensure the interests and reputation of the Foundation are protected.
\u2022 Proactively engage senior leaders and peers to raise profile of CP and SP portfolios and impart an early sense of ongoing work and its impact, evolving contexts including challenges and opportunities, and exploratory course corrections
\u2022 Work closely with members of the Finance and Legal teams for developing grant agreements, forecasting and processing grant payments, and enabling effective grant management and reporting within the organisation.
\u2022 Lead the preparation of synthesised, high-quality deliverables \u2014 including insight reports, Board papers, portfolio investment updates, presentations, and briefs \u2014 ensuring they are produced to an exceptional standard and within rapid turnaround timelines
\u2022 Prepare and present high-quality analysis and research, as required, to support the sector in determining longer term future strategic priorities. Setting and implementing sustainable operational plans.
Sector knowledge and profile-building
\u2022 Keep abreast of national and international developments of CP and SP portfolios priority areas, establishing appropriate information gathering networks and channels for deepening professional knowledge and skills and applying towards programme excellence
\u2022 Contribute to, lead and shape the community of practice as a sector expert and act as a knowledgeable resource about CIFF\u2019s programmes and priority areas.
\u2022 As required, work with the communications team on the development of thought leadership, communication and advocacy materials, to support CIFF\u2019s ambitions to scale-up, mainstream and leverage additional support for its initiatives.
Stakeholder and partner management
\u2022 In collaboration with Programme Excellence and Partnerships teams, conduct rigorous appraisal of potential CP and SP partners using agreed corporate protocols and techniques for assess their suitability and credentials for collaborating on CIFF initiatives.
\u2022 Apply CIFF\u2019s agreed account management and CRM disciplines and approaches in all dealings with programme partners and stakeholders, to ensure productive and professional relationships are maintained in a coordinated and strategic manner.
\u2022 In collaboration with Portfolio Lead and India leadership, develop strategic partnerships with international and Indian donors and governments to support adoption, replication, co-funding or scaling-up of CIFF programmes.
\u2022 With a variety of external audiences, act as a knowledgeable resource about CIFF\u2019s programmes and priority areas.
\u2022 As required, collaborate with Finance Portfolio colleagues to contribute to the management and implementation of cost effective, robust and financially well-structured programmes.
\u2022 Engage with and maintain open and constructive dialogue with relevant Government ministries and agencies and central and state levels to ensure effective programme implementation and sustainability of outcomes.
Membership and leadership of the team
\u2022 Provide coaching and mentoring support to identified India and other colleagues, as required, to help build skills, confidence and capability in particular areas, processes or procedures.
\u2022 In collaboration with the team members, including HRBP; strengthen the culture of the EVAC team and the organisation towards avowed and shared values, attitudes, and behaviours
\u2022 Actively participate in cross organisational working groups related to philanthropy and partnerships
\u2022 Adopt a coaching approach with colleagues \u2013 particularly on partnership building - which instills a culture of openness and trust, embraces diverse thinking, and encourages continuous improvement and learning.
\u2022 We operate a matrix structure so reporting lines can vary between specific aspects of the role.
\u2022 Contribute to corporate initiatives, as required by the ED and Directors
Requirements
Skills & Experience
\u2022 Advanced understanding of and expertise in relevant disciplines
\u2022 Demonstrable experience in analysis and due diligence; policy, planning and programme delivery, including field experience, all within the development sector
\u2022 Demonstrated experience in government social development programme systems such as governance and data, planning and financing, and delivery and in behaviour change / mental models preferred
\u2022 Demonstrated experience in the private sector, particularly in informing decision making for CxO / CxO -1 decision making preferred
\u2022 Detailed understanding of using cost-benefit and ROI methodologies and metrics to inform strategy and business planning
\u2022 Knowledge of the evidence bases pertaining to programme design and implementation, and belief in the importance of evidence-based decision making
\u2022 Strong working knowledge of impact measurement and programme monitoring and evaluation
\u2022 An innovative thinker with a pragmatic and solution-oriented mindset
\u2022 Ability to analyse an organisation\u2019s strength of management, vision and adaptive capacity. Ability to recruit, guide, influence and/or advise management teams to effectively implement programmes
\u2022 Experience working within government systems and/or experience influencing the policies of government agencies, private sector organizations or donor organisations
\u2022 Effectively champions and promotes causes \u2013 credible and professional, they always present the Foundation\u2019s programmes in a compelling way to engage the audience
\u2022 Skilled in relationship building and strengthening; able to influence others and work collaboratively, uniting groups with a shared purpose
\u2022 English is CIFF\u2019s business language \u2013 we expect all of our people to display outstanding verbal and written communication skills across all aspects of their role
\u2022 Capacity to work in a range of cultural and socio-economic contexts, adapting style and approach appropriately and in a culturally sensitive manner to maximise effectiveness
\u2022 IT proficiency (most specifically in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
\u2022 A proven self-starter, who works with pace and resilience
Key working relationships
\u2022 CIFF Board members
\u2022 Other CIFF teams \u2013 particularly EME and functional teams (e.g. legal, HR, finance)
\u2022 Global partners and stakeholders \u2013 e.g. WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, DFID, World Bank, USAID et al
\u2022 International charities and NGOs \u2013 e.g. Gates Foundation, Save the Children et al
\u2022 National governments and local NGO partners in priority geographies
\u2022 Research and academic institutions active on child protection and related issues.
Benefits
The salary for this role starts from 51,61,809 INR. CIFF operates a hybrid work policy across all locations, which means employees work in the office and some of the time from home. We are happy to provide more information on this as part of the recruitment process.
Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a generous benefits package here at CIFF that includes, but is not limited to the following.
Annual leave - 25 days per annum. Increasing by 1 day after each year of service to a maximum of 30 days.Training allowanceWellbeing allowanceLife insuranceMedical insurancePlease submit your application on or before Friday, 13th February. CIFF reserves the right to close the job advert early if we receive a high number of suitable applications.