Senior Manager, Community Engagement Strategy (EAII Advisors)

This position is with EAII Advisors, Evidence Action's technical partner in India.

About EAII 

EAII Advisors, Evidence Action’s technical partner in India, supports state governments in delivering evidence-based public health programs, including safe drinking water initiatives and school and Anganwadi-based National Deworming Day and iron and folic acid supplementation. Operating across 10 states, EAII Advisors provides technical assistance to ministries of health, education, water, and women and child development, reducing health burdens in impoverished communities and improving the long-term wellbeing of children and families.  For more information, read about our work here: About Evidence Action and EAII

About Evidence Action

At Evidence Action, we deliver data-driven interventions that transform lives at an unprecedented scale. We identify neglected global health issues and deploy proven solutions, forging healthier futures for generations.

Our model operationalizes leading academic research (including from Nobel-winning economists). We measure progress and outcomes at every stage to ensure we’re making a real impact for people living in poverty and suffering from preventable or treatable health issues. Operating across 9 countries, our team of 800+ has reached over 500 million people, working closely with governments to scale these interventions.

• Our Deworm the World program has delivered over 2 billion treatments, significantly reducing worm prevalence and generating more than $23 billion in lifetime productivity gains. 
• Through Safe Water Now, we’ve saved the lives of over 15,000 children. 
• Our Accelerator explores untapped opportunities in global health, testing low-cost interventions with the greatest potential to save and improve lives. 

At Evidence Action, your colleagues are your greatest asset. You'll partner with high-caliber colleagues in an environment blending innovation, autonomy, and teamwork. Our team excels in disruptive thinking and believes in rolling up our sleeves to get things done. If you're looking to work flexibly and with purpose, join a team that delivers measurable change for millions.

The Role

We are looking for a Senior Manager, Community Engagement Strategy to join our India Safe Water team. In this role, you will bring your expertise in community initiatives, strategy design, and project leadership to help shape how communities engage with and benefit from our safe water efforts across India.

As our community engagement specialist, you will lead the development and implementation of the program’s community engagement and behavior change communication strategy. You will work closely with our National, State, and Field teams to ensure strong alignment with program goals, monitor progress on the ground, troubleshoot challenges, and continuously refine our approach based on real-time insights.

You will also manage key external partners, including agencies and consultants supporting community engagement activities. This will involve overseeing contracts, guiding deliverables, and ensuring high-quality execution throughout.

How you will make an impact

Community Engagement Strategy Development & Implementation (50%)

• Lead the design and implementation of the India Safe Water community engagement strategy for the existing implementing states and new state expansion, ensuring strong team alignment and continuous refinement based on field insights. 
• Co-develop and execute behavior change campaigns with the Behavior Change Specialist, including messaging frameworks, communication materials, and mass-media strategies tailored to rural and semi-urban contexts. 
• Lead strategic advocacy efforts with NJJM leadership to integrate SBCC frameworks into Ministry initiatives, ensuring long-term community adoption of safe water practices
• Collaborate with our Communications team and external SBCC partners to adapt and innovate approaches using community feedback and program data. 
• Strengthen community-level adoption of the program by engaging with Gram Panchayats, frontline workers, Village Water and Sanitation Committees, valve operators, and other local governance structures. 
• Improve systems and processes that support community engagement through data-driven monitoring and iteration. 
• Oversee development of key implementation materials, including SOPs, training materials, communication tools, guidelines, and talking points.
  

Contract Management and Enforcement (25%)

• Ensure Implementation Support Agencies meet contractual obligations, oversee joint operations, and revise statements of work as program needs evolve. 
• Maintain monitoring systems to assess vendor performance and implement corrective actions when necessary. 
• Manage external consultants supporting the community engagement strategy, including regular check-ins, work allocation, ideation, and performance reviews. 
• Identify and engage additional vendors/partners who bring expertise in external communications, behavior change campaigns, or other relevant areas.

Team Coordination and Training (25%)

• Coordinate with the Principal Manager, Safe Water Operations and State teams to plan manpower needs for community engagement, contract management, and content development. 
• Build internal capacity by developing systems, tools, and training to strengthen community engagement skills across teams. 
• Support both national and state governments requests through materials development, participation in discussions, and incorporation of government feedback. 
• Partner with the National Project Management Unit Lead to engage government stakeholders and ensure effective rollout of the community engagement and behavior change strategy.

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, humanities, social work or a related fiel
• Prior experience in program management at the national level, with exposure to field operations
• Minimum 8 years of progressively responsible experience in management, project handling, or consulting roles
• Minimum 5 years of experience in community engagement in rural/village contexts in India, including both field experience and leading teams across multiple geographies
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple complex projects involving diverse stakeholders
• Analyze complex data sets to identify key trends and translate findings into visually compelling, professional presentations that drive informed decision-making
• Willingness to travel to rural areas up to 25% of the time
• Proactive, self-directed, and able to take initiative in a dynamic environment

Note: Additional experience in areas such as managing Implementation Support Agencies, WASH or public health programs, procurement and contract management, or supporting community-owned program models is beneficial

Disclaimer: The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list and that additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time.

Position Location

This position is based in New Delhi, India. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an India  employment visa at this time. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in India for roles based in India.

EAII provides a comprehensive benefits package for employees which include:

• Comprehensive health insurance with IPD and OPD provisions,
• Life and Accidental insurance,
• PF, ESIC and Gratuity as per statutory requirements
• Generous leave,
• Avenues for engagement and recognition.

Compensation

Competitive and commensurate with the individual's credentials, experience, and previous pay scale

All contracting arrangements will be made through EAII Advisors Private Limited. EAII is an equal opportunity employer. Employment at EAII is based solely on an individual's merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. EAII does not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, caste, creed, colour, religion, gender, origin, disability, marital status, or any other basis protected by law.

We welcome applications for the position until January 30th, 2026. Note: We may end this search process earlier than the specified close date in case of exceptional candidates. Due to resource constraints, we will only be able to contact shortlisted candidates.