Associate Director, Safe Water
About the Trust
The University of Chicago Trust (the Trust) is a charitable trust in India, established in 2008 by an alumnus of The University of Chicago. The Trust’s objectives are to provide opportunities for grants to support educational programs, research programs, and activities for the betterment of India. The Development Innovation Lab – India (DIL-India)
DIL-India, based at the Trust in India, is dedicated to using the tools of economics to develop innovations with the potential to benefit millions of people. We have work in health, education, agriculture, climate change, road safety, and others. We do so by collaborating with government agencies, firms, and non-profits in India to identify, test, and scale evidence-based solutions.
DIL-India has a fast-growing portfolio of policy relevant research. DIL is partnering with the Jal Jeevan Mission, the Government of Odisha, and Evidence Action to develop and test scalable systems to integrate drinking water treatment into rural drinking water systems in India. We estimate that universal delivery of treated water in rural India would avert more than 1 lakh child deaths per year. DIL conducted pilots of in-line chlorination with the government of Odisha. We are now focused on contracting, management, and monitoring systems to allow delivery at scale
Position Description
The Associate Director (AD) would oversee DIL’s work on research, dissemination, and partnerships for water treatment in India. This role involves close collaboration with Nobel Laureate Michael Kremer and other Lead Researchers based at the Development Innovation Lab (DIL) at the University of Chicago. Candidates need familiarity with development economics, research, and evidence-based policy, and using findings to inform decision-making. Experience working in WASH is preferred, but not essential. The AD will be a self-motivated leader who can build relationships, engage with multicultural teams, execute on organizational goals, and collaborate with diverse stakeholders.Responsibilities
Support DIL India’s strategic vision, maintain, cultivate, and, when necessary, initiate relationships with key partners in governments, NGOs, firms, foundations, and multilateral aid agencies. Relationship building with collaborators and partners.Implement research, work closely with principal investigators of research projects relating to water treatment, to ensure quality research design, execution, and analysis, while being sensitive to local needs and context.Ensure research findings relating to the implementation and impacts of water treatment at scale are disseminated and targeted at relevant stakeholders. Facilitate better evidence-based decision-making through events, and interpersonal relationships, and close engagement with partners throughout the research process.Support the ED with programmatic recruiting in accordance with UChicago Trust policies and applicable law.Create and support informed, accurate, and compelling proposals and project plans for both resource mobilization (grants, awards, gifts, etc.) and implementation that align with organizational goals and objectives.Responsible for ensuring efficient allocation, monitoring and reporting of project resources, includes contributing to annual project related budget development and accountability for the disbursement and appropriate use of approved expenditures.Establish and enforce safeguards for monitoring, accountability, and compliance of operations, in accordance with research directives, policy guidance, IRB protocols, Trust policies (including and especially the code of conduct) and applicable law.Perform other related work as assigned by the Executive Director and in support of organizational missions and objectives.
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
Master’s degree in management, economics, public policy, international development, or related fields to the job description.
Experience:
Seven or more years of relevant work experience including implementation of development economics research and informing decision-making in India. PhD can count for up to 3 years of experience.Familiarity with microeconomics and econometrics; candidates from a policy background or related academic background who can demonstrate similar knowledge, and competencies will also be considered.
Preferred Competencies
Strong knowledge and understanding of the economic, political, social, and cultural context in India including deep familiarity with relevant academic research especially in the field of economics.Demonstrated ability to manage and maintain high-level relationships with governments, international development practitioners, and/or academic researchers.Experience with evidence-based public policy in South Asia low- or middle-income countries (LMICs)Productive collaboration skills for successfully coordinating multiple stakeholders in achieving shared goals.Collaboration, and a track record of successfully implementing change,Organizing policy events as well as producing policy resources and publications.Implementing large-scale programs in coordination with diverse stakeholders.Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills in English.Fluency in spoken Hindi and other Indian languages is preferred.Effective project management skills, including managing and successfully working across teams, budgeting, attention to operational and research details, and ability to manage multiple projects efficiently.Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.Expert problem-solving and analytical skills.Work in WASH health, education, and agriculture sectors in LMICs is desirable.
Working Conditions
Based in Delhi with regular travel throughout India to project locations, including rural India.Occasional travel to the United States Applicant must be legally authorized to work in India.
Application Documents
Resume/CV (required)Cover Letter (required)References’ Contact Information (3 required)Writing sample (required)