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Senior Project Manager

  • Company

    Central Square Foundation (CSF)

  • Location

    Delhi, India

  • Employment Type

    Full-Time

  • Functional Category

    Policy & Advocacy

  • Experience

    5 - 8 years

  • Date Posted

    12-Feb-2026

About Central Square Foundation (CSF)

Central Square Foundation is a non-profit organisation working with the vision of ensuring quality school education for all children in India. Since 2012, we have been partnering with the government and ecosystem stakeholders to improve the learning outcomes of children, especially from low-income communities. We are driven by our mission to enable the school education system to adopt solutions that are scalable, sustainable and effective, so that all children get equal access to opportunities needed for leading a better life.

Overview of the Role

This role drives high-impact policy research and strategic engagement to advance education reform priorities. It involves translating research and data into evidence-based briefs and thought leadership, shaping policy narratives, and preparing strategic inputs for senior leadership engagement with government stakeholders. The position also strengthens partnerships across the education ecosystem, manages key external relationships, and leads strategic communications to build salience and position the organisation as a trusted voice in school education reform.

Job Description

Policy Research and Documentation
• Lead high-impact policy research on critical school education issues, translating global research and trends into actionable insights for CSF leadership and government partners
• Analyse data and research reports to develop compelling research briefs, policy memos, and position papers that shape conversations around CSF’s priority areas
• Prepare strategic briefing materials for CSF leadership ahead of meetings with Ministers, Secretaries, and senior government officials, ensuring CSF’s positions are evidence-based
• Monitor and analyse the evolving policy and political landscape at national and state levels, identifying strategic opportunities and key stakeholders to build salience for CSF’s key thematic areas

Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management
• Support in targeted outreach to key decision-makers in the education ecosystem for building coalition around CSF’s thematic areas
• Build and sustain relationships with elected representatives, bureaucrats, and research institutions to position CSF as a trusted partner in education reform
• Serve as a relationship manager for external partners and consultants, coming up with strategies, monitoring their work, and working with them for end-to-end execution of projects
• Manage stakeholders across CSF’s teams by supporting them in creating collaterals, problem solving through salience activities, and building surround sound around their initiatives
• Collaborate with national and international ecosystem partners, leading policy organisations, and think tanks to build salience around CSF’s workstreams

Strategic Communications and Thought Leadership
• Craft persuasive messaging and communications materials that elevate CSF’s profile among policymakers, researchers, and educational leaders
• Write thought leadership articles, op-eds, and policy commentaries around education reform in English and Hindi
• Work closely with Senior Project Manager - PAC to ensure surround sound around CSF’s policy priorities and work streams
• Support the planning and execution of salience-building events, ensuring they deliver strategic value and strengthen CSF’s positioning
• Support in creation of high quality Knowledge Products, which demonstrate the research and knowledge heft of CSF across all its project areas.

Required & Preferred Qualifications

Skill

"• Demonstrated track record of building sustainable relationships with key/ influential stakeholders and end-to-end management of projects/ deliverables;
• Strong analytical and research capabilities with experience producing high-quality policy briefs, research reports, or strategic memos for senior leadership or government audiences
• Experience working closely with elected representatives, government officials, policymakers, heads of CSOs, or thought-leaders/ eminent intellectuals;
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in both English and Hindi, with the ability to translate complex ideas into clear, compelling narratives for diverse audiences
• Keen interest in the development sector, policy and politics and current affairs;
• Ability to work both independently, or as part of a team, and a go-getter/ enterprising attitude towards assigned tasks"

Education

Master’s Degree, preferably in Public Policy, Political Science, Economics, Development Studies or similar degrees

Experience

5-8 years of work experience, preferably in the policy research/ governance sector, with at least 3 years working directly on public policy issues