Centre for Civil Society (CCS) is recruiting a (Senior) Policy Analyst to work on research initiatives on structural reforms in education, regulatory barriers to livelihoods and entrepreneurship, and quality of governance. 

ABOUT CENTRE FOR CIVIL SOCIETY

CCS is an independent public policy think tank based in New Delhi. Our work in education, livelihood, and policy training promotes choice and accountability across private and public sectors. To translate policy into practice, we engage with policy and opinion leaders through research, pilot projects and advocacy.

Over the last many years, CCS’ research team has built a reputation for shining light on the dark recesses of governance: collecting and analysing data through primary surveys, ethnographic studies, public datasets and administrative data, and RTI applications, compiling legal and legislative analysis; testing the validity of innovative governance tools through pilot projects; and proposing a redesign of existing regulatory frameworks.

Examples of our research outputs

1. In 2019 we studied the regulatory interface between government and private schools by analysing administrative data on licensing, fee regulation and inspections to understand the challenges of starting and operating private schools in northern India.
2. In 2019, we developed a quality of regulation checklist and are assembling a dataset to measure the volume and complexity of regulation across India. 
3. In 2018 we examined the ground realities of the ease of doing business effort at the state level in Delhi producing 7 distinct papers using a combination of primary surveys, time and motion studies and investigative journalism.
4. To test if the government was living up to its promise of including street vendors in urban planning and governance, we conducted a deep study of the implementation of the Street Vendors Act in 2017 and 2019 using case law analysis, analysis of state-level data and stakeholder interviews.
5. We have conducted multiple pilot projects to test the design and application of vouchers for school and skill education, inclusive education using 25% RTE reserved seats, school quality improvement mechanisms etc. 
6. Over the years, we have produced over 150 research papers on the challenges facing micro, small and medium entrepreneurs and issues in education governance using observational studies and primary data collection. 

In education, we focus on increasing school choice and improving governance, particularly the uncoupling of service delivery, financing and regulatory functions of the government. Our work on livelihoods is directed towards fostering greater economic freedom and improving the ease of doing business for micro, small and medium enterprises. In addition, CCS runs projects on judicial reforms, and a pan-India assessment of regulatory quality.

ROLE PROFILE

Research Associates at CCS have sharp analytical and critical thinking abilities, and curiosity about the interplay between government, citizens, markets and civil society. An ideal team member is energetic, proactive, able to work independently and collaboratively as needed, and possesses both integrity and the humility to seek advice when needed. The Associate should be passionate about working on the three areas of interest to the Centre: structural reforms in education, barriers to earning livelihoods, and quality of governance. 

As (Senior) Policy Analyst, you will collaborate on and lead projects in our areas of interest working with big datasets, primarily undertaking the quantitative analysis- to be part of our policy research and outreach team to effectively disseminate outputs from our research to elected representatives, policy makers, media and other important stakeholders

Responsibilities

• Undertake primary and secondary research projects independently or collaboratively with other members of the research team
  • Collate and analyze data collected through primary research, case studies, literature reviews, pilot projects, and publicly available datasets
  • Ensure that data collected through research tools are complete, accurate and comprehensive
  • Create data visualizations
  • Conduct quick research across the lines of market scan for need-based work (e.g. MHRD, State education departments etc.)
• Produce high-quality succinct error-free research outputs of different lengths and for different audiences: academic papers, short policy briefs, blogs etc
• On projects where end-to-end ownership is assigned/opted: 
  • Assume responsibilities for project planning, data collection, analysis and documentation
  • Deliver projects within agreed timelines, keeping in mind the quality and impact indicators set for the team
  • help select external parties for projects and coordinate with them for implementation of timelines and ensuring proper direction of the work.
• Remain current on developments in CCS’ areas of work
  • Monitor, analyze, and report on emerging policy and research issues by regularly reviewing relevant sources
  • Maintain knowledge of government policy decisions 
• Partner with the communication and advocacy teams to 
  • disseminate research findings to stakeholders in the policy making ecosystem, including the media
  • support dialogues, workshops, and conferences on the research outputs.
  • Write opinion pieces and commentaries on research undertaken and contemporary issues for Newspapers, Journals and other relevant publications.