About JanaagrahaJanaagraha is a non-profit trust, established in 2001, working towards the mission of transforming quality of life in India’s cities and towns. It works with citizens to catalyse active citizenship in city neighbourhoods and with governments to institute reforms to city governance (what we call “City-Systems”). Janaagraha is part of the JANA Group - one of India’s best-known groups of not-for-profit institutions working towards the mission of fixing India’s cities. Swati Ramanathan and Ramesh Ramanathan co-founded Jana Group in 2001 and it presently works across citizen participation and city governance reforms (through Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy), city planning and design (through Jana Urban Space Foundation), municipal consulting services (through Jana Urban Services for Transformation Pvt. Ltd.), banking and financial services for the urban poor (through Jana Small Finance Bank) and affordable housing for the urban poor (through Janaadhar). Municipal finance reforms have been a core focus area for Janaagraha since its inception and the Municipal Finance Program is working towards solving one the most important problems being faced by Indian Cities: making them financially sustainable and accountable. We directly work with the union, state and urban local governments for engendering on-ground change through systemic reforms and further work towards translating these on-ground reform successes into usable “products” on Cityfinance to bring about “change-at-scale”. Over the years, we have worked with and supported government stakeholders at both central and state level on financial management reforms ranging from own revenue augmentation, urban infrastructure financing, municipal accounting, budget and expenditure management.We are looking for a mid-career professional to be a part of the Municipal Finance Program in a role that involves designing national and state-level financial management reforms to augment cities’ own revenues and catalyse commercial financing for urban infrastructure projects. What will the Manager – Municipal Finance really do?Managing State Engagements for Own Revenue Enhancement:Conceptualise and deliver systemic governance reforms for augmenting local governments’ own revenues through engagement and persuasion of state and local government functionariesManage Government stakeholders and work in collaboration with Janaagraha’s state teams and other teams to ensure robust design of interventions, provide project implementation support, and ensure timely delivery on commitments Create blueprints of the revenue reforms implemented at the State/city level and build templates for national advocacy engagementCollaborate with the Public Financial Management (PFM) team and State teams at Janaagraha to achieve large-scale reforms in strengthening own revenues of local governments, including property tax, user charges and other underutilised sources of own revenue specifically on strengthening the property tax policies, laws and operationsAdvocating for Municipal Revenue enhancement at national levelWork with the Municipal Finance team to deliver on own-revenue enhancement commitments made as part of the MoU with Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and other engagementsDeepen knowledge and analytical firepower on municipal revenues and identify contemporary trends and advocacy agendasDraft thought leadership pieces by analysing trends in own revenue sources and fiscal sustainability of urban local governmentDraft policy collaterals like toolkits, case studies, ready reckoner documents, etc. as per requirementIdentify and work with small cohorts of knowledge partners/consultants on joint advocacy agendasMunicipal Borrowing and Urban Infrastructure Financing:Create thought leadership on commercial financing of urban infrastructure projectsIdentify key stakeholders at central and state government level & engage with them, explore synergies with an aim to amplify & strengthen non-budgetary financing of urban infrastructure projects in IndiaWork with Janaagraha’s Product team to conceptualise new products and features for for facilitating commercial financing for urban infrastructure projectsQualifications and Experience Post Graduate or equivalent in business administration, economics, finance, public policy or a Chartered Accountant6+ years of experience in government advisory, business consulting, public policy research or in a non-profitCandidates from alternative academic backgrounds with outstanding academic and career accomplishments and relevant work experience would also be consideredCandidates with prior experience in public finance, municipal finance, infrastructure financing or urban governance would be preferredWhat competencies does it take to be Manager – Municipal Finance?Existing knowledge or ability and willingness to quickly grasp concepts of Public Finance, Infrastructure Financing and Urban GovernancePast experience or ability to manage high-stake projects in partnership with external stakeholders, especially senior government officialsExcellent interpersonal and oral and written communication skills – including strong presentation skillsWillingness to extend oneself to accomplish work objectives with tight deadlines, simultaneously pursuing excellenceDemonstrated ability to take ownership of individual projectsPositive attitude, flexibility and ability to adapt to a dynamic work environmentWhat Janaagraha offersAt Janaagraha, you will be part of a multi-disciplinary team of professionals and passionate citizens who apply cutting-edge technologies and practices aimed at social change in India’s cities. We offer a dynamic, driven and vibrant work environment for professionals who are passionate about investing their time, skill sets and energy to transform quality of life in India’s cities. At work, you will be exposed to a unique combination of policy, practice and platforms and will have abundant opportunities to learn and apply professional skills to social challenges.RemunerationJanaagraha is an equal opportunity employer and offers a highly dynamic and enabling work environment. We provide competitive remuneration commensurate with relevant experience, skill-sets and background. This position will be based out of Delhi.
Job Title
Manager - Municipal Finance