Head of innovation and leverage, PACS, India

Poverty is an outrage against humanity. It robs people of dignity, freedom and hope, of power over their own lives. Christian Aid has a vision – an end to poverty -and we believe that vision can become a reality. Our overarching aim is both very practical and very ambitious: to change the lives of some of the poorest people in the world. We want to see change happen and we want to know that it is tangible. We campaign against the inequalities that keep people poor and we work with local organisations to give people strength to find their own solutions to the problems they face, irrespective of religion or any other consideration.

The Poorest Areas Civil Society Programme (PACS) is an initiative of the UK Government’s Department for International Development (DFID), to work with civil society in India, to help socially excluded groups claim their rights and entitlements more effectively. PACS covers 90 districts in seven states- Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

The seven year programme (2009-2016) supports civil society organisations (CSOs) promoting inclusive policies, programmes and institutions at local, district and state levels. PACS targets socially excluded groups: scheduled castes (SCs), scheduled tribes (STs), Muslim minorities, women, girls and people with disability (PwD). For more details please visit www.pacsindia.org

We are looking for a Head of Innovation and Leverage to champion innovation and opportunities to extend the impact of the PACS programme. This role will identify and promote innovation that improves access to entitlements and services by socially excluded people. You will supervise and evaluate pilots of new techniques and approaches, ensuring that lessons learnt and replicable models are shared widely. You will make recommendations of opportunities to take successful pilot projects to scale and actively engage with government and the private sector to make these plans a reality. The role will oversee support for partners to design and implement innovative projects, providing strategic input and appropriate support.

Specific responsibilities of the role include:
· Developing and managing the strategic approach and implementation of the Social Innovation Fund including a timeline and budget
· Identifying new and innovative social enterprise and technology projects and approaches aligned to PACS programme objectives
· Ensuring that all projects and scalable models are evaluated with appropriate recommendations on the next steps including the resources and investment required
· Building partnerships with government and private sector, identifying opportunities to leverage resources to take PACS supported interventions to scale
· Sharing analysis of results and ensuring that outcomes feed in the advocacy work of PACS
· Ensuring the highest quality of all deliverables

As Head of Innovation and Leverage, you will be responsible for establishing strong linkages through networking with relevant private sectors, government and other stake holders. It is expected that you have demonstrated experience of a similar kind and have strong ability in the field of innovation and creativity.

You will be a post-graduate or equivalent and have knowledge ofdevelopment issues and current affairs in the region - social exclusion and poverty, with minimum ten years relevant experience. Experience of conceptualizing and designing innovative programmes/projects/models, policy and strategy development, engagment with private sector and sound knowledge and experience on technology will be added advantage.

Strong language skills in English and Hindi, both written and verbal, is essential

Please show your suitability for this post by giving answers to the following questions: Using the guidance notes may help you formulate your answers.

Communicate effectively

Tell us about a time when you had to apply advanced negotiating and influencing skills to secure agreement with a diverse group of people or stakeholders where there was little common ground.

Deliver results

Please tell us about a time when you adapted or amended your original decision because it did not produce the expected or desired result.

Strive for improvement

Please give us an example of when you encouraged other people to identify more creative and innovative solutions to problems.

We value the contribution each person makes to the success of our organisation, so you can expect a range of rewards and benefits that will ensure you enjoy a good work/life balance.

Download the role profile (47 KB pdf)

To apply for this post, please download an application form and email your completed International application form to: delhirecruitment@christian-aid.org (quoting the reference number). Alternatively, your completed application form can be printed out and posted to us at:

Christian Aid
D-25-D, South Extension Part II
New Delhi
India 110 049

Please note that CVs will not be accepted and that only short-listed candidates will be contacted. If you have not been contacted by 22 June 2012, please assume your application was unsuccessful. Preference will be given to applicants who are Indian nationals or who are eligible to work in India.

Job reference: India/2012/0502

Closing date: Tuesday 19 June 2012

Interview date: Week commencing 25 June 2012

Christian Aid values diversity and aspires to reflect this in our workforce. We welcome applications from people from all sections of the community, irrespective of caste, race, colour, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief. We encourage applications from socially excluded communities, ie Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, religious minorities, people living with disabilities and especially encourage women candidates to apply.