About the Centre
The Centre for Civil Society is an independent, non-profit, research and educational organisation devoted to improving the quality of life for all citizens of India by reviving and reinvigorating civil society.
But we don’t run primary schools, or health clinics, or garbage collection programs. We do it differently: we try to change people’s ideas, opinions, mode of thinking by research, seminars, and publications. We champion limited government, rule of law, free trade, and individual rights.
We are an ideas organisation, a think tank that develops ideas to better the world. We want to usher in an intellectual revolution that encourages people to look beyond the obvious, think beyond good intentions, and act beyond activism.
We believe in the individuality and dignity of all persons, and their right to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. We trust their judgement when they cast their vote in a ballot box and when they spend their money in a marketplace. We are driven by the dream of a free society, where political, social, and economic freedom reigns. We are soldiers for a Second Freedom Movement.
What is Civil Society
Civil society is an evolving network of associations and institutions of family and community, of production and trade, and of piety and compassion. Individuals enter into these relationships as much by consent as by obligation but never under coercion. Civil society is premised on individual freedom and responsibility, and on limited and accountable government. It protects the individual from the intrusive state, and connects the individual to the larger social and economic order. Civil society is what keeps individualism from becoming atomistic and communitarianism from becoming collectivist. Political society, on the other hand, is distinguished by its legalised power of coercion. Its primary purpose should be to protect, and not to undermine, civil society by upholding individual rights and the rule of law.
The “principle of subsidiarity” demarcates the proper arenas for civil and political society, and for local, state, and central government within the political society. The principle suggests that the state should undertake those tasks that people cannot undertake for themselves through voluntary associations of civil society.
The focus on civil society enables one to work from both directions; it provides a “mortar” program of building or rebuilding the institutions of civil society and a “hammer” program of readjusting the size and scope of the political society. Both programs are equally critical and must be pursued simultaneously. Weeds of the political society must be uprooted and seeds of a civil society must be sown.
Relationship Between Civil & Political Society
The “principle of subsidiarity” demarcates the proper arenas for civil and political society, and for local, state, and central government within the political society. The principle suggests that the state should undertake those tasks that people cannot undertake for themselves through voluntary associations of civil society. The functions thus assigned to the state must be entrusted first to local governments. The functions that local governments cannot perform should be given to state governments and only those that state governments are unable to undertake should be delegated to the central government. The rampant growth of the political society—the institutions of government—since independence has hindered the flourishing of civil society in India. It is only by rethinking and reconfiguring the political society that India will be able to achieve economic prosperity, social peace and cohesion, and genuine political democracy. The focus on civil society enables one to work from both directions; it provides a ‘mortar’ program of building or rebuilding the institutions of civil society and a ‘hammer’ program of readjusting the size and scope of the political society. Both programs are equally critical and must be pursued simultaneously. Weeds of the political society must be uprooted and seeds of a civil society must be sown.
Support
In accordance with its purpose, the Centre accepts support only from individuals and institutions of civil society. Unless we can make the philosophic foundations of a free society once more a living intellectual issue, and its implementation a task which challenges the ingenuity and imagination of our liveliest minds, the prospects of freedom are dark. But if we can regain that belief in the power of ideas which was the mark of liberalism at its best, the battle is not lost. The intellectual revival of liberalism is already under way in many parts of the world.”
Youth Programs
CCS seminars and internships make you look deeper, find out the root causes of India’s problems and their relation to government policies. They challenge conventional wisdom and encourage you to come up with sustainable solutions!
The overall objective of all CCS programs to engage the youth with social and economic issues through an understanding of public policy.
Why the focus on public policy?
• All policies of the government that come to bear upon the lives of the general public in some way can be broadly called as public policy. It comprises of policy decisions in different areas like education, health, governance, livelihood and environment. History is replete with examples of how a small change in policy has resulted in both glorious and disastrous results. If the state makes an ill-informed policy decision, more than a billion Indians are affected by it!
• Instead of strikes and dharnas, youth can connect with social issues in an engaging, productive, and participatory way. This form of social activism encourages youth to focus on the importance of institutions and policies and channelise their energies to create knowledge that is useful in creating a better society.
At CCS programs, you will learn, you will share, you will meet new friends. You will grow to be the person others seek out for insights and explanations. And you’ll be a better advocate of the principles of a just, free, peaceful society.
Conferences
- Ward Power: Reforms in Urban Governance (June 2005)
- Terracotta Summit – Beyond National Environment Policy 2004: Institutions, Incentives and Communities (March 2005)
- Keepers of Forests: Judiciary, Ministry, or Community? ( March 2003 )
- Water under Community Management (March 2003)
- The Mont Pelerin Society Meeting, Freedom and Development: Making Democracy Work (January 2002)
- National Conference on Primary Education (December 2001)
Dialogues
The Centre holds regular dialogues in Delhi to provide a forum for discussion of topical issues. Our aim is to involve the primary stakeholders and provide them with effective but practical ideas for improvements in the quality of services. Individuals with different perspectives make brief presentations and then engage actively with the audience.
Public Eye on Public Services (PEPS)
The Centre of Civil Society in collaboration with India international Center organised a series named “Public Eye on Public Services” from October-November 2005. The aim of the series was to analyse the current status, possible improvements, and viable alternatives to public services in Delhi or around the country.
• Delhi Water: Concerns, Challenges & Reforms, November 30
• Right To Education Bill 2005, November 16
• Informal Sector Workers: Problems and Prospects , November 2
• Delhi Power: From Privatisation to Competition , October 15
About Jeevika Documentary Competition
Jeevika is a search for documentaries that focus on legal and regulatory restrictions as well as socio-cultural norms and religious practices that prevent or constrain people from earning an honest livelihood in the vocation of their choice. Jeevika is part of an attempt to bring to focus our policies which have liberalised the sectors from which the
middle classes earn their livelihood, but still keep the entry-level professions under licence raj, thus keeping a nation under imposed poverty.
Livelihood is a common cause that touches all other issues including poverty, human rights, governance, labour welfare, tribal rights, minority rights, women’s empowerment, health, globalization, privatisation, environment, rural livelihoods, agriculture, hunger…
The Centre for Civil Society organizes Jeevika with multiple objectives in mind.
• To take stock of films already made on livelihood issues
• To encourage established filmmakers and particularly the youth to find interest in livelihood issues and make documentaries on them
• To provide them a platform to maximise the impact of their documentaries
Evaluation Process
CCS adopts an independent, transparent and rigorous screening process for selection of the entries. There is a two-tier evaluation process for the competition. The Screening Committee short-lists the top 15-20 films. The Jury selects the top three winners and the Best Student Film from these shortlisted films. The identity of the evaluation committee is disclosed only after the evaluation process is completed. The Screening Committee comprises five members of whom three are alumni of film institutes nominated by their faculty. Five professionals from diverse fields such as academics, film, development sector, and media create a Jury with distinct perspectives.
Beyond Jeevika
Given the need of funding, Jeevika provides financial support to one or more of the directors of the short-listed entries for a future film project on a related issue of livelihood.
• To maximize the impact of the Jeevika documentaries, CCS disseminates copies of the winning films to educational institutes and development organisations all across South Asia.
• Jeevika films have been traveling to various cities of Mumbai, Chennai, Ahmedabad and Los Angeles apart from Delhi.
Research Fellowship Program
This program is in the process of being redesigned. If you are a M Phil/ Ph D candidate, professional researcher or academician interested in taking up research assignments to produce papers, studies or monographs in the areas of education, governance or livelihood, please do send us your resume to careers@ccs.in and we will get back to you.
Masters or Bachelors’ students are encouraged to apply for our Research Internship Program.
Advocacy
School Choice Campaign
A campaign to bring about the much-needed reforms in the system of school education in India today using the three pronged approach of Education Vouchers, Regulatory Reforms, Encouraging Edupreneurs.
More
Livelihood Freedom Campaign
A Campaign that calls to review, revise and remove restrictive regulations that condemn street entrepreneurs and other entry level professionals to lifelong illegality and poverty.
More
Publications
The Centre for Civil Society seeks to disseminate its views, findings and suggestions on public policy through its publications. Every year, CCS brings out a number of books, and studies, on a wide range of policy issues including governance, education, livelihoods, regulation, individual rights, the rule of law, globalization and the environment.
Latest Publications
Handbook on New Public Governance
Parth J Shah and Makarand Bakore
The handbook offers a spectrum of choicest of articles that capture the essence of good governance. The rich menu has insightful contributions on New Public Management, decentralisation, participation, accountability and e-governance. Illustrative case studies on public-private partnerships exemplify sustainable service delivery models worldwide. This digest is a swift route to grasping the fundamentals of governance for politicians, administrators, civil society members and students.
Join the Adventure: Work with CCS
CCS offers challenging opportunities in a unique and vibrant work environment. Salary will be commensurate with experience. All positions are available immediately.
If qualified based on descriptions below and you can commit atleast one year to CCS, please send a cover letter and resume to: HR Associate careers@ccs.in
1. Senior Research Coordinator
An opportunity to head the CCS Research Centre, design research projects in accordance with the objectives of the Centre and undertake them, supervise research associates and interns, develop literature for the Campaigns of the Centre, write and publish regular articles, research papers, commentaries, legislative analysis of bills to be tabled in the Parliament, plan and design dialogues, workshops, conferences on the research outputs, prepare and deliver lectures at CCS seminars for students, policy makers, professors and general public, represent CCS at academic and policy fora identify and plan for research needs, lead the research team, coordinate the fellowship program.
Qualifications:
• Ph D in economics or public policy with specialisation in one of the following: education, governance, livelihood, environment.
• Relevant experience in research and leading teams of atleast 5 years.
• Excellent writing skills for research papers as well as mass publications (please attach writing samples with the application).
• Keen interest in public policy related research.
• Proven communication and networking skills.
• Time commitment: Minimum 3 years.
2. Program Coordinator, Centre for Civil Society
Will lead the delivery of CCSs innovative seminars, dialogues, workshops, film festivals, internships, and other programs on public policy ideas, leadership, communication, and economics. Responsibilities include design, publicity and organisation of CCS programs, follow-up and tracking of the participants of the programs, monitoring and evaluation of impact, content development for resource material, presentations, program webpages on CCS website, develop growth strategies, contribute to reports to current and potential donors, personally direct select programs.
Qualifications:
• Graduate with work experience in corporate or NGO environment of atleast 2-3 years
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong capacity for multi-tasking, operating under pressure, and meeting deadlines
• Analytical, creative, and problem-solving skills
• An entrepreneurial spirit, and a strong personal commitment to excellence and continuous learning
• Proficiency in MS Office, Internet, etc.
• Willingness to travel across India
3. Manager/ Associate Director/ Director Public Relations & Communications, Centre for Civil Society
An opportunity to lead CCS’s communication and PR initiative to build CCS identity and brand image. Responsibilities include: develop and improve communication strategies to generate greater media attention for events, publications & CCS, develop and implement marketing strategies for maximizing response to programs, ideate and lead content development for communication materials.
Qualifications:
• Graduate/post graduate with atleast 5-7 years of relevant experience
• Degree in marketing not required, but experience in marketing, communication, and/or public relations required
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proven capacity for multi-tasking, operating under pressure, and meeting deadlines
• Strong creativity and attention to detail
• Proficiency in MS Office, etc.
Senior Publications/Editorial & Marketing Associate
An opportunity to lead quality production and effective distribution of all CCS publications. Responsibilities include: plan publications for the year (books, policy reviews, monographs, research papers, internship papers, annual report), coordination of making of the publication from manuscript, editing, to production (print and online), design and execution of marketing plan for all publications, provide editorial and design support to team members.
Qualifications:
• College degree in social sciences, with diploma or degree in the editing or publishing field
• Excellent written command of English and one other Indian language
• Excellent knowledge of publication software like PageMaker, Photoshop
• 3-6 years of relevant experience
• Time commitment: Minimum 2 years
Project Manager, School Voucher Program
The objective of this program is to demonstrate the use of vouchers as an administratively viable option for funding education in India. CCS is committed to establishing or helping establish school voucher programmes across the country in urban and rural settings. The program also envisages the establishment of atleast one randomised trial of the voucher concept in semi-urban India.
Work Profile
The program manager will be wholly responsible for the management and successful implementation of these projects and must have an understanding of and agreement with the idea of school choice/vouchers as a viable education policy reform. A successful program manager will have excellent communication, presentation, decision-making, creativity, teamwork, leadership and problem-solving skills, as well as a good grasp of education policies across India.
• This is a senior position that requires considerable experience in management, advocacy and research. The job involves (but is not limited to):
• Recruiting and coordinating staff across multiple locations in India;
• Interacting with senior state and district level government officials, and;
• Managing relations with a number of different partners and consultants.
Qualities & Qualifications:
• Advanced university degree in social work, education or other related technical field is preferred.
• A minimum of five years of professional work experience at the state and national levels in program planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation, preferably in education or in a related field.
• Experience in working on large non-profit projects is a strong advantage.
• Leadership, managerial and organizational experience working with multi-location field teams is neccessary for this position. Strong leadership and teamwork abilities.
• Analytical, negotiating, communication and advocacy skills.
• Supervisory, personnel management and financial control skills.
• Computer skills, including internet navigation and various office applications.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the organization.
• Fluency in English and Hindi required.
Program Manager, Centre for Civil Society
As a member of the CCS senior leadership team, the Program Manager will assume full ownership of our Youth Outreach Programs (including residential seminars, research internships, follow up activities with program participants), Jeevika: South Asia Livelihood Film Festival and other CCS events including national and international conferences, dialogues, book launches.
Responsibilities
• Reviewing and developing appropriate and contextual strategies towards better conceptualization, definition, execution and evaluation of all CCS programs which will lead to an active network of new leaders with new ideas.
• Building, organizing and managing a team of 4-5 program associates and program assistants.
• Be responsible for regular financial and programmatic monitoring and evaluation of all programs including producing final financial and narrative reports to donors and supporters.
• Constantly developing networks of support and exploring synergies and partnerships with other local, national, international organisations for current and future programs.
• Continuously improvise current program quality in terms of outreach, content and outcomes as well develop newer programs for exploration and testing.
Qualities & Qualifications:
• Understanding of CCS approaches to public policy issues
• 4-5 years experience in leadership roles in program management in non-profit environment, with increasing levels of responsibility and history of team supervision
• Successful track-record of EFFECTING CHANGE.
• Ability to relate to young people / students.
• Knowledge of customer relations, outreach, strategic communication, fundraising, and/or marketing will be an advantage.
• Background or experience in the field of education is desirable, but not mandatory.
• Self-driven, creative, and action-oriented.
Senior Campaign Associate: Political Advocacy
As a member of the Campaign’s senior leadership team, the Sr. Campaign Associate – Political Advocacy will assume full ownership of the Campaign’s Political Advocacy goals to reach out to elected representatives at various levels of government regarding school choice reforms.
Responsibilities
Developing strategies for political advocacy in campaign states and executing them with the help of campaign associates.
In some of these states, align the political advocacy with the ongoing mass mobilization done by partners NGOs.
Convince bureaucrats, politicians, community leaders and other decision makers through direct meetings, small seminars, and press conferences about school vouchers and get approval for government funded voucher pilot projects.
Influencing state governments to approve pilot projects for private management of state run schools.
Qualities & Qualifications:
• MBA/ MSW/ MA with about 5 years in advocacy or government liaison work, preferably in education sector.
• Interest, ability and experience in identifying, contacting high government officials and ministers and making presentations independently.
• Understanding and passion about education reforms and school choice ideas.
• Knowledge of advocacy, customer relations, outreach, strategic communication and contacts in state governments will be an advantage.
• Background or experience in the fields of governance or legislative change is desirable, but not mandatory.
State Campaign Associate: Political Advocacy
Reporting to the Sr. Campaign Associate – Political Advocacy, the State Campaign Associate will take ownership of the Campaign’s Political Advocacy goals in three states in India to reach out to elected representatives at various levels of government regarding school choice reforms. The position will require simultaneous work across three states and will require frequent traveling and maybe short term stay at each of the three states depending on volume of work.
Responsibilities
• Execute the strategies that have been developed for political advocacy in campaign states under guidance of Senior Campaign Associate in three states in India.
• In some of these states, align the political advocacy with the ongoing mass mobilization done by partners NGOs.
• Convince bureaucrats, politicians, community leaders and other decision makers through direct meetings, small seminars, and press conferences about school vouchers and get approval for government funded voucher pilot projects.
• Influencing state governments to approve pilot projects for private management of state run schools.
Qualities & Qualifications:
• MA/MSW with 2-3 years in educational advocacy, working with state governments.
• Interest, ability and experience in identifying, contacting high government officials and ministers and making presentations independently.
• Understanding and passion about education reforms and school choice ideas.
• Flexibility in managing extensive travel across campaign states.
• Knowledge of advocacy, customer relations, outreach, strategic communication and contacts in state governments will be an advantage.
• Background or experience in the fields of governance or legislative change is desirable, but not mandatory.
Senior Research Associate: Education
This senior research person will anchor the overall research and data for the CCS work in education, with a particular focus on voucher pilot projects in 4-6 locations across India.
Responsibilities
• Management and analysis of data received regularly from the voucher pilot sites
• Prepare customised research based reports
• Initiate and conduct research activities for other states where there is potential for a voucher pilot.
Qualities & Qualifications:
• M Tech/ Advanced course in data management with 2-3 years’ experience in data management and research in the field of education with experience in SPSS like software.
• Interest in public policy related research activities.
• Ability to guide junior research staff and interns.
• Excellent writing skills for research papers as well as mass publications (please attach writing samples with the application).
Support CCS
Invest in Freedom & Opportunity
CCS is increasingly being asked for innovative market and community-based ideas for the critical public policy issues facing India today, particularly in areas of education, livelihood, and public governance. We also continue to bring these ideas to India’s young people – the leaders of tomorrow, through our pioneering student outreach programs.
Support the Centre
We invite you to help us in our efforts to advance opportunity and prosperity for all Indians.
We welcome support from individuals and institutions of civil society. There are 2 levels of annual membership:
* Individual Membership (Click here to open membership form);
* Corporate Membership (Click here to open membership form)
Expand our Library
Gift us books, monographs and documentaries on public policies and ideas.
Learn Liberty
* Buy our publications [click here for list]
* Attend our programs [programs@ccs.in]
Spread Liberty
* Gift our books, coffee mugs, T-shirts and shoulder bags [CCS Shop]
* Start or find a Friends of Freedom group in your city [swati@ccs.in]
Work for Liberty
Join us as a full time team member or a volunteer [list of current openings]
Contact Us
Centre for Civil Society
K-36 Hauz Khas Enclave,
New Delhi 110 016
Ph: 011-2653 7456/ 26521882
Fax: 011-2651 2347
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