Head - Urban Capacities

Years of Experience : 14-20 years
Reporting to : Chief Policy and Insights Officer
Location : Delhi or Bangalore (work from office)
Salary : Competitive
Organization : Non Profit (Systems Change, Civic and Govt)

About the Organization -

Founded in 2001, this non for profit organization operates with the mission to work with citizens and governments to transform the ‘quality of life’ in India’s cities and towns - the first being ‘quality of urban infrastructure and services,’ that is, roads, drains, transport, water supply and the second is the ‘quality of citizenship’ that is, the role that urban citizens can play by participating in civic matters.

It believes building robust city systems is the key to robust cities. The core main pillars of work constitute civic participation (enabling active citizen participation in city governance), municipal finance (improving financial sustainability and accountability) and policy and insights (reforming city systems and strengthening state capacities).

The organization has been awarded, and recognized for commendable work, for instance the IChangeMyCity received the Google Global Impact Award in 2013, the Swachhta app developed for Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs was judged as the ‘Best Sanitation App’ at India Today Safaigiri Awards 2017, and many more.

The organization is currently backed by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Ford Foundation, Brown University, Rainmatter Foundation, TPG, GIZ and UK Online Giving Foundation.

About the Role -

The Urban Capacities Program is focused on enhancing the staffing capability and capacity of city governments across India. Through strategic interventions in goal setting, competency management, process optimization and performance management - the Urban Capacities Program (also referred to Human Resource (HR) and Organization Development (OD) reforms for govt) aims to build institutional muscle and memory in municipal governance.

This is an exciting role for anyone who is passionate about the government machinery and state of affairs in the country. It comes with the avenue and platform to build a team, consult senior stakeholders, work on proposals and be a part of a highly collaborative and unique environment

What will you do -

Broadly, you’ll be focusing on the following 5 areas -

• Shape and execute a long-term strategy for municipal HR reforms including staffing solutions and OD reforms, integrating thought leadership with practical interventions
• Be a trusted advisor to government partners, on behalf of State Leads, supporting them in implementing people-centric reforms - 
  - Goal-setting: Define clear program goals, KPIs and impactful metrics, ensuring data driven decision making for the chosen frame as per State Govt and State teams
  - Competency assessment: Develop and maintain competency dictionary for urban development and utilize for gap assessments using
  Frameworks for Roles, Activities & Competencies

  - Capacity Building: Lead training and capacity-building efforts for municipal officials to equip them with the skills and tools needed 

  for effective governance 
  - Work with government training institutes and platforms to embed OD principles into their curriculum and capacity-building programs
  - Performance Management: Build performance management systems integrated with HR Management Systems and MIS to track municipal officials’ performance towards personal and departmental goals
  - Design structured change management strategies for smooth acceptance of reforms within government institutions, to ensure sustainability of efforts and systemic adoption
  - Ensure that all interventions align with programmatic pillars
  a) Reform Design (contextual research, and framing policy recommendations for structured HR reforms and institutional strengthening initiatives)
  b) Reform Implementation Support:
  1)Advisory support for State Govt through appointment of necessary PMUs (for the initiatives), vendors (for HRMS and MIS platforms), etc
  2) Creation of Tools & Job Aids (competency frameworks, HR estimation models, performance management systems)
  - Manage program budgets, timelines, and resource allocation
  
• Build and manage a high-performing team to develop thought leadership material and guide impactful programs and projects
  - Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence between domain / institutional team and State or implementation teams
  - Mentor and develop team members, ensuring they have the skills and knowledge needed to drive impact
  
• Lead and expand the OD portfolio in States
  - Develop and execute a sustainability strategy to ensure long term funding and institutional support for OD initiatives
  - Identify potential donors, multilateral agencies, and philanthropic foundations aligned with municipal capacity building efforts.
  - Lead the development of funding proposals and grant applications, articulating a compelling case for investment in municipal HR reforms.
  - Engage with donors and funding agencies to build strategic partnerships and secure financial support for the program.
  
• Foster strategic partnerships with national/state governments, philanthropic and multilateral agencies, eco-system partners and knowledge institutions to amplify impact 
  - Serve as a strategic advisor to senior government officials at municipal, state and union levels on municipal HR reforms and OD initiatives
  - Lead the development of policy briefs, white papers, and knowledge products, as thought leadership on Urban Capacities

What makes you a role fit -

• 12+ years of experience in program leadership, urban governance, HR reform, public sector consulting or institutional development
• Strong understanding of HR and OD systems, policies and structures
• Strong understanding of urban development governance
• Demonstrated ability to build and lead teams
• Expertise in driving strategy to goals, actionable and program management
• Strong stakeholder management skills - across donors, senior govt officials and internal leadership
• Ability to navigate complex government structures and cross team collaboration

What makes you a cultural fit -

• Ability to work in a mission driven organization - specifically towards systems change, civic matters
• Ability to adapt quickly to a dynamic work environment and manage multiple priorities
• Ability to be innovative, inclusive and collaborative
• Intrinsic drive to take initiative, execute and own results
• Demonstrate high emotional intelligence, agility and resilience