Project Manager [Digital Public Good & Infrastructure Initiative]

Location: New Delhi

About CivicDataLab

We work at the intersection of data, technology, design and social science to strengthen data for public good ecosystem and citizen participation in governance. CivicDataLab (CDL) harnesses the potential of open knowledge movements to strengthen the data-for-public-good ecosystem and enable citizens to engage in matters of public reform. We work closely with governments, non-profits, think-tanks, media houses and universities to enhance their data and technology capacity to better data-driven decision-making at scale.

Our current areas of expertise include digital public goods & infrastructure (DPGs & DPI), climate action, public finance, urban development, open contracting and law & justice. We have co-created digital public goods like open data platforms, data exchanges, AI models and citizen-led apps for improving participatory data-driven governance in India and other countries.

What are we looking for

We seek a dynamic professional with 4-5 years of experience to lead our data and AI-driven projects for the public good. This role involves working closely with our government partners (senior bureaucrats, ministries and various departments), industry experts and multilateral institutions as well as managing a multidisciplinary internal team of technologists, data strategists, domain experts, designers and researchers, to ensure high-quality execution of impact-driven projects.

The ideal candidate will have experience navigating public sector environments, a strong understanding of data and technology systems, and a keen ability to translate strategic goals into executable project plans.

In this role, you will be giving 25% of your time towards exploring new project opportunities and supporting scaling or expansion of initiatives, 65% towards managing and implementing ongoing projects, and the remaining 10% on broader organizational responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership & Planning

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  Lead end-to-end planning and execution of projects, from kick-off to closure.

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  Scope out the project requirements with partners and build synergies internally with the team.

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  Build project boards (e.g ClickUp), track milestones, and update stakeholders on delivery plans

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  Set up and facilitate project onboarding for the team: conduct knowledge transfer (KT) sessions, define scope along with Initiative leads.

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  Anticipate possible challenges and plan mitigation strategies.

Stakeholder Engagement & Representation

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  Serve as the primary point of contact for government and other partners, coordinating onboarding, regular updates, and field consultations.

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  Collaborate with internal domain leads and external partners to ensure alignment on expectations, timelines, and deliverables.

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  Manage stakeholders at national and state levels, enabling open data and AI adoption and digital public infrastructure scale-ups.

Project Execution & Quality Management

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  Oversee the day-to-day operations and activities of the project, ensuring timely and effective execution.

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  Track progress across multiple streams using agile tools, organising stand-ups, retros, and mid-project reviews

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  Facilitate periodic project reviews with Initiative leads, Finance team and other team members in collaboration with product PoCs and support version management

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  Ensure documentation, reporting, budgeting, and partner coordination are robust and on schedule

Field Engagement & Travel

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  Travel for project-related activities and other opportunities related to project within Delhi and other states [if needed]

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  Keep a regular touch base with the partners

Requirements

Required Skills & Qualifications:

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  4-5 years of experience in managing civic-tech, data, or AI projects/ programs, preferably with government clients.

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  Strong understanding of digital products and data platforms, including familiarity with relevant vocabulary, key features, product development cycles, APIs, data visualisation trends, and commonly used tools.

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  Strong skills in planning, execution, financial reporting, budgeting, and documentation

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  Understanding of data governance, open data, data privacy, civic technology, and public policy

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  Understanding of digital products and software building processes in the domain of Data and AI is a value addition.

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  Hands-on familiarity with tools like ClickUp, GSuite, Slack, and collaborative documentation practices

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  Demonstrated experience in managing multi-stakeholder initiatives with a focus on impact and delivery

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  Excellent communication and problem-solving abilities, with experience handling on-ground complexities and government interactions

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  Prior experience in writing grant applications, managing contracts, or contributing to government tenders is a plus

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  Willingness to travel and coordinate with field teams and local stakeholders

How we work

CivicDataLab is based out of Delhi and has the presence of project teams located in Assam and Himachal Pradesh. We follow a hybrid model where our bandhus work out of the office for a minimum of 12 days per month (i.e) 3 days a week. We use open-source tools and agile methodologies in organising our work.

Benefits

Perks of Working with Us

Wellness Allowance

At CivicDataLab, we always emphasise the wellness of our bandhus. This includes any Expenditure done for the purpose of Wellness Setup, except any financial instrument, any expense that can be claimed as a deductible expense under Income Tax rules, any goods and services that attract a combined tax, cess or duty of more than 28%. If you're interested in taking classes that enhance your overall physical or mental well-being, you have an INR 60,000 annual stipend to do so. For some people, that might mean a monthly massage. Some take photography lessons or learn a musical instrument or buy a gym membership. It's up to you; the point is to learn something that you feel enriches you as a person.

Professional growth and development Allowance

At CivicDataLab, we encourage everyone to take up things that help one grow professionally, and you get an annual kitty of INR 60,000 to do so. This includes attending or speaking at conferences and workshops, taking courses, acquiring hardware or software licenses or even joining summer schools. We feel that learning a skill should never be a hurdle to solve important problems for the community.

Cost to Organisation(CTO) range

₹19,00,000 to ₹21,00,000 per annum.

Please note: This figure includes both fixed remuneration, perks and Incidental components such as salary, statutory benefits, professional development, wellness, travel infrastructure,and other operational support costs incurred by the organisation.

Our Commitment to Diversity

We are committed to inclusive hiring and strongly encourage applicants from diverse and under-represented gender and caste identities and/or sociocultural backgrounds to apply for this role. Our organisational policies are gender-neutral, including POSH policy and leave policy. We provide 6 months of paid time off as parental leave for the primary caregiver and 6 weeks of paid time off for the secondary caregiver, including adoption.

Our Hiring Process

The entire hiring process averages between 3-4 weeks and comprises the following simple steps:

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  You can submit your application with your detailed portfolio through our website career page Link to page is here https://jobs.civicdatalab.in/jobs/Careers

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  If you are shortlisted We will have an Introductory discussion to know better and check your fitment and interest

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  Based on how our discussion goes, you will be asked to demonstrate a presentation for 15 minutes with not more than 8 slides highlighting any one impactful program led/conceptualised by you in the domain of climate change or data-driven decision making, highlighting your contribution to it.

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  If all goes well, we’ll have a final ‘Culture Discussion’ round, and you get to meet the rest of the team

Note: We appreciate your interest in joining CivicDataLab. Applications for this position will be reviewed on a rolling basis,. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to apply at the earliest opportunity.Due to the volume of applications we receive, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stage of the selection process.

If you are shortlisted, you can expect to hear from us within 5 to 7 working days from the date of your application.