Overview

About ASPIRE Fellows

The ASPIRE Fellows programme offers young professionals with 2-5 years of experience the opportunity to work with J-PAL South Asia’s network of researchers, government partners and civil society organizations, embedding evidence-based approaches at scale within government systems.

This 24-month engagement will provide young professionals in, or looking to transition to the development sector, with an opportunity to work with J-PAL South Asia’s government and implementation partners on integrating evidence-based approaches at scale.

For the first 6-8 weeks, the Fellow will be placed in J-PAL South Asia’s Delhi office and experience a meticulous onboarding process. The Fellow will then be placed in a field location (likely a state capital), to work closely with the relevant government department.

Goals

Convergence between J-PAL South Asia, policymakers and government systems, and technical partners involved in ongoing scale-ups.

Locally grounded knowledge development around the 'science of scale' by documenting best practices across scale-ups and geographies within India.

Meet Our Fellows

Meet our ASPIRE Fellows—dedicated young professionals working with J-PAL South Asia’s network to embed evidence-based approaches within government systems and drive impactful change in the development sector.

Program:

Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM)

Sanjana Chettri

Sanjana Chettri is an ASPIRE Fellow at J-PAL South Asia, where she coordinates learning and knowledge-building efforts on behalf of J-PAL South Asia for Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), a flagship programme under the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India.

In this role, she will be deployed at the MoRD to coordinate learning and knowledge initiatives and establish a Gender Impact Lab to drive evidence-based solutions addressing key challenges faced by rural women in India. Prior to joining J-PAL, she worked with the Government of Delhi on 'The School Mental Health Initiative,' a preventive mental health program for adolescents in government schools. Additionally, she has also worked in organizations like Oxfam, Belongg, and 60 Decibels across verticals of research, project management, and coalition-building efforts.

Sanjana was drawn to the ASPIRE Fellowship for its ‘evidence to action’ focus, aligning with her passion for translating research into system-led outcomes. Through mentorship and training in the fellowship, she aims to deepen her expertise in large-scale program management and public sector impact.

She holds a Master’s degree in Development Studies from SOAS University of London under the Chevening Scholarship and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi.

Who can apply?

This opportunity is ideal for individuals with knowledge of the government landscape, strong communication and stakeholder management skills, a passion for translating research into action, creativity, and a keen interest in development.

Education and Experience

Master's degree (preferably in public policy, or international development) with minimum 2 years of work experience
Bachelor's degree with a minimum 4 years of relevant work experience
Demonstrated experience of working with government partners and other stakeholders will be strongly favored.

Understanding of Monitoring & Evaluation

Demonstrate a keen understanding of the value of randomized evaluations, monitoring techniques, and their usefulness for policy decisions.

Skills and Competencies

Communication: Attention to detail and excellent writing and presentation skills for communicating insights from academic papers in ways that policymakers understand. This requires clear, precise, non-technical writing, and creativity in presentation.
Time Management & Prioritization: Proven ability to handle several different projects/tasks at one time, successfully complete tasks assigned, and meet deadlines.
Language: Language: Fluency in English (written and oral) and fluency in Hindi (written and oral) will be considered favorably. Each role will have regional language requirements based on the location please indicate proficiency in regional languages in the application form.

Desirable

Strong interest in the thematic area of the project you have applied for, as demonstrated by coursework and/or professional experience.

What does it take to be an ASPIRE Fellow?

Stakeholder Management

Communicate with state officials and partner organizations to support the dissemination and scale-up of evidence-based policies.

Program Management

Collaborate with government line departments and partner organizations to support scale-up goals. Summarize monitoring efforts and program evidence, and assist with dissemination.

Technical Assistance

Write reports, optimize processes, create policy memos, manage project data, and coordinate between line departments.

Support Organizational Learning

Promote locally contextual evidence and develop pathways for scaling evidence-based interventions at J-PAL South Asia.

Meeting Preparation

Assist in preparing for government meetings by creating slide decks, writing notes, and coordinating with government officials and implementing organizations.

How to apply?

If you are interested in this position, please click on the apply button here; upload your CV, cover letter, and a short video introducing yourself and your interest in being an ASPIRE Fellow. Applications will be screened on a rolling basis.

1. Application Submission

Candidates submit the online application, including a CV, cover letter, and video submission.

2. Case Study Stage

Those shortlisted candidates would then complete a designated assignment or case study.

3. Interview Rounds

The shortlisted candidates will undergo two rounds of interviews with the J-PAL South Asia team.

Relevant People/Point of Contact

For questions regarding the opportunity or the application process, contact: [email protected].

What projects can the Fellows be a part of?

Education Fellow - Government of Karnataka

The ASPIRE Education Fellow will work on the following interventions in Karnataka.

Every Child Counts

J-PAL South Asia, Key Education Foundation, and Department of School Education, Karnataka, are jointly piloting and scaling an early years play-based Math curriculum in Grade 1 classrooms across Karnataka. This curriculum, originally developed by Professor Elizabeth Spelke at the Harvard Laboratory of Developmental Studies has been adapted to India through a series of 3 randomized evaluations in Delhi between 2013-2019 by Professor Spelke, Nobel Laureate Esther Duflo, and Dr. Harini Kannan.

Ganitha Ganaka

J-PAL South Asia will work with the Government of Karnataka on the “Ganitha-Ganaka” program. As a research and knowledge partner, we will support the government’s push to make children “like and learn mathematics.” The program was announced as part of the state budget 2024 – 25 and will be introduced for children studying in grades 3, 4, and 5 in all government schools across 93 aspirational blocks in academic year 2024 - 25.

Ganitha Ganaka is informed by evidence on 'ConnectED,' a one-on-one phone tutoring program that randomized evaluations led by J-PAL affiliated and Youth Impact researchers found to be effective and cost-effective in improving math learning and parental engagement. The program delivers math problems to children studying in grades 3, 4, and 5 through text messages every week, accompanied by a 25-minute phone tutorial session. These lessons cover basic math operations and are tailored to each student's previous knowledge and performance.

Fellow requirements: Will be based in Bangalore (Karnataka), and requires written and oral fluency in Kannada and English

Every Child Counts - Andhra Pradesh

J-PAL South Asia, Pratham Education Foundation, and Department of School Education, Andhra Pradesh are jointly piloting and scaling an early years play-based Math curriculum in Grade 1 classrooms across Andhra Pradesh. This curriculum, originally developed by Professor Elizabeth Spelke at the Harvard Laboratory of Developmental Studies, was adapted to India through 3 randomized evaluations in Delhi between 2013 and 2019 by Professor Spelke, Nobel Laureate Esther Duflo, and Dr. Harini Kannan.

Fellow requirements: Will be based in Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh), and requires written and oral fluency in Telugu and English.

Satat Jeevikoparjan Yojana - Bihar

The Government of Bihar launched the Satat Jeevikoparjan Yojana (SJY) in 2018, to combat extreme poverty in Bihar. SJY is based on the Graduation Approach, a multi-faceted and holistic livelihoods program specifically designed for the poorest of the poor.

The program is implemented and led by JEEViKA. It is run in close collaboration with Bandhan-Konnagar as the technical advisor and J-PAL South Asia as the knowledge and learning partner. J-PAL South Asia supports the program through process evaluation and knowledge management, conducting evaluation studies, impact assessments, and documenting process learning to strengthen program operations.

Fellow requirements: Will be based in Patna (Bihar), and requires written and oral fluency in Hindi and English.