Senior Manager: Organisation Development, People & Culture

Climate and Sustainability Initiative (CSI) · Organization Builder Program · Delhi, India (Hybrid/virtual coordination across Singapore and India)

Position Overview Position Title: Senior Manager: Organisation Development, People & Culture Classification: Strategic Leadership / Senior Operations Management Location: Delhi, India (Hybrid/virtual coordination across Singapore and India) Reporting Structure: Reports to the Executive Director Direct Reports: Operational, HR, and Administrative staff (scaling with organisational growth from ~17 to 25-30 headcount) Expected start date: October 2026 Duration: This is a one-year contract, extendable based on performance Salary range: INR 18 to 24 lakh per annum/ Commensurate with experience About Climate and Sustainability Initiative (CSI) The Climate and Sustainability Initiative (CSI) is a research and advisory organisation dedicated to supporting the Global South on climate change. CSI focuses on a whole-of-government approach to climate finance. CSI operates at the intersection of climate, policy, and finance to design, develop, and implement solutions that accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. As we aspire to expand our core team from 17 to 25-30 members across Singapore and India, we continue to produce rigorous analytical research on climate finance while fostering a collaborative and joyful workplace culture. The organisation values autonomy, flexibility, and "space to think" that are essential for encouraging creative, self-directed research and making a meaningful impact with climate solutions. Purpose of the Role The Senior Manager of Organisation Development, People & Culture will oversee the operational, administrative, and compliance structures necessary to support CSI's rapid growth. In the first 3-6 months, the post holder will stabilise the setup of the new Delhi office and lead recruitment and onboarding to expand the team to 25- 30 staff members. This role builds, standardises, and manages internal systems, policies, and risk governance while protecting the organisation's open, flexible, and research-friendly culture. This role is part of the Organisation Builder Program, designed to help climate civil society organisations (CSOs) scale their impact by building essential operational capacity. The program directly solves operational bottlenecks faced by many climate CSO leaders by recruiting experienced, strategic operations experts into CSOs to build the systems, processes, and governance necessary for sustainable growth. To support your transition into the climate sector, and in addition to the role, the program provides structured climate education, mentorship and coaching, and a strong peer network. Ultimately, this role serves as your launchpad for a long-term career in the climate sector. Key Accountabilities 1. Financial Strategy and Stewardship
  • Oversee operational budgeting, resource allocation, and financial workflows to ensure sustainable expansion across the Delhi and Singapore hubs.
  • Support fund accounting mechanisms and internal financial controls, ensuring transparent financial operations and readiness for financial reviews.
  • Coordinate local banking, cash-flow management, and administrative approvals for physical and virtual teams.
2. Domestic and Regional Operations
  • Lead the setup, operationalisation, and daily administrative systems for the New Delhi office.
  • Formalise and standardise organisational policies, internal workflows, and operational checks & balances, incorporating findings from recent Organisational Development (OD) assessments.
  • Manage daily administrative systems and operational logistics across both physical and virtual/remote working environments.
3. People Management and Cross-Cultural Leadership
  • Lead recruitment, hiring, and onboarding strategies in Delhi as headcount grows from ~17 to 25-30 team members.
  • Foster a flat, open-door, and collaborative workplace culture that balances operational structure with autonomy, joy, and flexible working styles.
  • Facilitate seamless cross-border collaboration and integration between team members in Singapore and India.
4. Grant, Donor, and Programme Fund Administration
  • Supervise restricted funds management and ensure rigorous compliance with diverse donor requirements, grant contracts, and reporting timelines.
  • Maintain comprehensive grant documentation, tracking systems, and audit-ready records for donor-funded initiatives.
  • Collaborate with research teams to align project deliverables and budget execution with donor policies.
5. Regulatory Compliance, Risk, and Data Protection
  • Proactively monitor and manage operational and legal challenges arising within India's evolving regulatory and legal environment.
  • Ensure organisational adherence to statutory regulations, operational filings, labour laws, and contractual obligations in India.
  • Mitigate organisational risk while safeguarding internal systems, data management protocols, and digital collaboration platforms.
Required Qualifications and Experience 1.Education Qualification : Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Public Administration, HR, or a related field; an advanced degree is preferred. 2.Operations Leadership : A minimum of 10 years of experience in senior operations, HR, or organisational management roles. He/she must have a proven ability to set up offices and build operational infrastructure from the ground up. 3.Compliance & Governance : A strong working knowledge of India's legal, regulatory, and compliance landscape for non-profits/research institutions. He/she needs experience translating Organisational Development (OD) assessment findings into functional systems. 4.Grant & Donor Administration : A proven track record in managing restricted funds and ensuring compliance with multi-donor contract policies and reporting frameworks. 5.Regional & Cross-Border Capacity : Experience in managing remote/virtual teams across different jurisdictions. International work experience or global exposure is strongly preferred. 6.Digital & Systems Experience : A high level of proficiency with digital collaboration tools, cloud-based project management, and virtual team operations platforms. Personal Characteristics and Competencies
  • Adaptability & Growth Mindset: Thrives in a fast-growing environment, balancing high-level strategic process building with practical, hands-on execution.
  • Collaborative & Empathetic Leadership: Embodies an open-door, flat organisational ethos; capable of supporting staff autonomy while maintaining accountability.
  • Culture-Protector: Values joy, creativity, and mental space within the workplace, fostering an environment where researchers can focus and thrive.
  • Navigational Problem-Solving: Proactive and resilient when navigating complex, evolving legal, regulatory, and operational environments in India.
  • Cross-Cultural Communication: Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to bridge team dynamics across Singapore and India seamlessly.
  • Precision & Reliability: Strong attention to detail regarding donor compliance, internal controls, and operational systems.

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