Project Manager - The India Climate and Health Data Capacity Accelerator (IDCA) - J-PAL South Asia

The Project Manager for the India Climate and Health Data Capacity Accelerator (IDCA) at J-PAL South Asia will oversee fellow selection, partnership outreach, and project management for a 12-month commitment starting February 2025. Responsibilities include managing fellow operations, facilitating matchmaking with social impact organizations, and contributing to communications and reporting. The position is based in India and aims to strengthen data capacity in the social sector.
Project Manager - The India Climate and Health Data Capacity Accelerator (IDCA) - J-PAL South Asia

Organization:

Location:
• India

Start Date (Earliest): 17 February 2025

Length of Commitment: 12 months

Project Name: The India Climate and Health Data Capacity Accelerator (IDCA)

About the Organization

The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) is a global research center working to reduce poverty by ensuring that policy is informed by scientific evidence. Anchored by a network of over 750 affiliated researchers at universities around the world, J-PAL conducts randomized impact evaluations to answer critical questions in the fight against poverty.

J-PAL was launched at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2003 and has 7 regional offices around the world. J-PAL South Asia, hosted by the Institute for Financial Management and Research (IFMR), Chennai, has built partnerships for the generation of new research and advancement of evidence-informed policymaking with 20 Indian state and central government ministries, as well as training partnerships with the governments of Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.

The India Climate and Health Data Capacity Accelerator (IDCA) is a collaboration between J-PAL South Asia and data.org. The Accelerator aims to create a sustainable and scalable model to strengthen the data capacity of the social sector in India by providing social impact professionals and organizations with the tools they need to catalyze the application of data to address systemic challenges.

Position Overview

The Project Manager will strategize and execute the IDCA Fellowship alongside the Director of the initiative. The main responsibilities include facilitating fellow selection and intake, partnership outreach, and stakeholder management for curating projects with host organizations, managing fellow operations, knowledge management, and drafting timely project reports.

Key Responsibilities:
• Supporting selection of fellows: Adhere to the defined selection process and criteria, including preliminary screening of candidate profiles, coordinating with candidates and evaluators for technical assessment, organizing panel interviews, and providing inputs for decision-making during final selection.
• Identifying Social Impact Organisations (SIOs): Identify projects that align with the IDCA goals of unlocking data for use and demonstration projects, while providing experiential learning opportunities through the Fellowship.
• Facilitating matchmaking: Ensure optimal outcomes for both the fellow and the host organization by evaluating fellow profiles/skills and project requirements.
• Reviewing program progress: Periodically assess progress against indicators for tracking inputs, outputs, and outcomes of the IDCA project.
• Enable partnerships: Conduct desk research for partner identification, outreach to desired partners, and assist in the preparation of materials for IDCA initiative outreach work.
• Contribute to communications: Manage periodic check-ins with J-PAL vertical leads, contribute to publishing blogs and articles, and assist in donor and partner reporting.
• Manage fellow operations: Ensure smooth experiences for fellows, including facilitating communication, addressing inquiries, and supporting learning journeys.
• Organize knowledge resources: Collate assessments, manage channels for fellow interactions, and update the fellowship webpage.

Qualifications:
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant field (e.g., management, social science, data science, research, or related disciplines).
• Minimum 5 years of relevant work experience (social sector, consulting, government projects, etc.).
• Prior experience managing a social sector fellowship is highly preferred.
• Exposure to Data for Social Impact, Climate Change, and Health sectors is a plus.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively.
• Passion for data and creating a new generation of data talent for the social impact sector.
How to Apply
• If you are interested in this position, please click on the apply button on the JD here; first-time users will be asked to sign up and upload the CV, cover letter, and academic transcripts (optional).
• For any queries, please write to recruitment.jpalsa@ifmr.ac.in.
• Please submit your resume and a cover letter highlighting your relevant experience and interest in being a part of the IDCA program team at data_accelerator@povertyactionlab.org.