Application Guide

How to Apply for Fellow/Senior Policy Advisor: Public Report on Secondary Education

at Centre for Social and Economic Progress

🏢 About Centre for Social and Economic Progress

The Centre for Social and Economic Progress is a leading Indian think tank focused on evidence-based policy research with real-world impact. What makes CSEP unique is its deep engagement with government stakeholders and its commitment to translating rigorous research into actionable policy recommendations, particularly in education and social development. Working here offers the opportunity to influence national education policy directly through high-visibility projects.

About This Role

This Fellow/Senior Policy Advisor will lead the research design and fieldwork for a major 10-state study on secondary education, directly shaping India's education policy landscape. The role involves hands-on coordination with state governments and research teams, making it impactful by bridging academic research with practical policy implementation. You'll be responsible for securing government approvals and ensuring the study's findings are both rigorous and actionable.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve morning meetings with state-level team leaders to review fieldwork progress, followed by drafting sections of the research design or policy brief. Afternoons could include consultations with state government officials to discuss approval timelines or presenting preliminary findings to CSEP's internal review committee. The role balances desk-based analysis with active stakeholder engagement across multiple locations.

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🎯 Who Centre for Social and Economic Progress Is Looking For

  • A PhD holder with 10+ years of field-based education research experience in India, preferably with exposure to secondary education systems across multiple states.
  • Has at least one book or peer-reviewed publication demonstrating expertise in education policy or related social science fields.
  • Possesses international research exposure, indicating ability to contextualize India's education challenges within global frameworks.
  • Demonstrates proven experience managing complex stakeholder consultations with government officials and coordinating multi-state fieldwork teams.

📝 Tips for Applying to Centre for Social and Economic Progress

1

Quantify your 10+ years of field-based education research experience—specify states worked in, sample sizes managed, and government stakeholders engaged.

2

Highlight your international research exposure by mentioning specific collaborations, conferences, or comparative studies you've conducted.

3

Explicitly reference your publication(s) in your resume—include journal names, publication dates, and how they relate to secondary education policy.

4

Detail your experience securing government approvals for research—mention specific departments (e.g., state education ministries) and approval processes navigated.

5

Tailor your application to CSEP's mission by citing specific past projects or publications from the centre that align with your expertise.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your leadership experience in designing and implementing large-scale, multi-state education research studies.', 'Specific examples of engaging with state government officials to secure research approvals and facilitate fieldwork.', "How your international research exposure informs your approach to India's secondary education challenges.", 'Your publication record and its relevance to policy recommendations for secondary education reform.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review CSEP's recent publications on education policy, especially any related to secondary education or state-level analyses.
  • → Study the centre's key stakeholders and government partnerships—note which state governments they frequently collaborate with.
  • → Understand India's current secondary education policy landscape, including the National Education Policy 2020 and state-level variations.
  • → Look into CSEP's past large-scale studies to understand their research methodology and dissemination strategies.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through how you would design and implement a 10-state study on secondary education, including stakeholder mapping and risk mitigation.
2 Describe a challenging experience securing government approvals for fieldwork and how you navigated bureaucratic hurdles.
3 How would you ensure research quality and consistency when coordinating fieldwork across 2-3 states simultaneously?
4 Discuss how international best practices in secondary education could be adapted to the Indian context.
5 What policy recommendations from your previous research have been implemented, and what was your role in the advocacy process?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Failing to demonstrate specific experience with Indian state government engagement and approval processes for research.
  • Overemphasizing academic research without showing how it translates into actionable policy recommendations.
  • Not providing concrete examples of managing multi-state fieldwork or coordinating with diverse stakeholder groups.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

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Good luck with your application to Centre for Social and Economic Progress!

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