Director of Operations

About Pria :

Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA) is a global centre for participatory research and training, headquartered in New Delhi with partners across India. Founded in 1982 by Dr Rajesh Tandon, PRIA has focused on empowering citizens through information and mobilisation, while bridging the interface with government agencies to ensure that rights, voice, and participation reach the excluded. They work on deepening democratic governance, civil society capacity, gender equality, urban inclusion, and sustainable development.

Today, PRIA continues to serve as a global knowledge and advocacy platform championing citizen participation, democratic governance, and social inclusion in India and beyond. Their work is anchored around five interlinked thematic areas that collectively advance inclusive, rights-based development :

Democratic Governance and Decentralisation : building accountable local institutions and participatory governance systems.

Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment : enabling women’s leadership and equal participation in public life.

Urban Poverty and Livelihoods : advocating for the rights and visibility of informal workers, migrants, and the urban poor.

Climate Justice and Resilient Communities : promoting citizen-led climate adaptation, water governance, and sustainable urbanisation.

Youth, Education, and Citizenship : cultivating civic agency and leadership among young people through experiential learning.

PRIA’s Approach and Global Reach

Participatory research as practice : PRIA redefined research as a democratic act, co-creating knowledge with communities to inform and transform policy and practice.

Learning and capacity building : Through the PRIA International Academy , the organisation has trained tens of thousands of practitioners, government officials, and activists in India and globally.

From local to global : With partnerships across Asia, Africa, and Europe, PRIA connects grassroots experience to international policy influence.

Legacy and credibility : PRIA’s participatory methodologies have informed major public programs and movements, including We the Invisible , India’s first participatory census of pavement dwellers, and national frameworks on decentralisation and gender equality.

They are now entering a strategic phase to strengthen institutional systems, scale their impact, and ensure the long-term sustainability of their mission. The appointment of a COO is central to this next chapter of PRIA’s growth.

Website : About The Role :

After four decades of visionary leadership, PRIA’s Founder and Board are guiding a structured leadership transition to ensure the organisation’s vitality and impact well into the future. Central to this next chapter is the appointment of a Chief Operating Officer (COO) - a leader who can strengthen PRIA’s systems, drive institutional resilience, and steward a thoughtful generational transition.

While the role is currently framed as Chief Operating Officer, it is envisioned as a transitional leadership position for an entrepreneurial and strategic professional who can, over time, potentially evolve into the organisation’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) . The selected leader will have the unique opportunity to work closely with and be coached under Rajesh’s mentorship as he transitions, ensuring a thoughtful and seamless leadership handover. An exceptional senior leader who demonstrates alignment, strategic vision, and measurable institutional impact will be strongly considered for this transition.

Reporting to the Founder and the Board, the COO will be responsible for ensuring operational excellence, strong governance, and organisational sustainability. This includes overseeing finance, HR, compliance, administration, and partnerships, while nurturing a culture rooted in PRIA’s values-driven, participatory ethos.

This is a rare opportunity to work alongside a globally respected founder and Board to shape the next era of one of India’s most influential social-purpose institutions.

Responsibilities :

Strategic and Institutional Leadership

Support the Founder and Board in executing PRIA’s multi-year strategy for institutional sustainability and growth.

Translate strategic vision into actionable operational plans, budgets, and performance metrics.

Strengthen internal systems and structures to ensure accountability, adaptability, and long-term resilience.

Drive innovation and digital transformation to enhance organisational learning and efficiency.

Operational Management and Governance

Oversee day-to-day management across finance, HR, administration, IT, and compliance functions.

Ensure rigorous financial management, statutory compliance (including FCRA and CSR), and risk mitigation.

Work closely with the Board and its committees, ensuring effective governance and transparent reporting.

Institutionalise policies, processes, and systems that reinforce operational excellence.

Resource Mobilisation and Partnerships

Lead institutional fundraising efforts to diversify PRIA’s resource base across philanthropy, CSR, and multilateral partnerships.

Cultivate relationships with donors, research institutions, and networks aligned with PRIA’s mission.

Represent PRIA externally, articulating its vision and impact with credibility and influence.

Identify strategic collaborations to expand PRIA’s national and international reach.

People and Culture

Foster a values-driven, inclusive, and learning-oriented organisational culture.

Mentor and empower senior leaders to exercise distributed and accountable leadership.

Strengthen talent management, performance systems, and professional development pathways.

Model humility, integrity, and empathy in all leadership interactions.

Competencies Sought :

Core Attributes

Strategic systems thinker who can balance mission, people, and performance.

Empathetic and collaborative leader who values participation and inclusion.

Skilled communicator, able to represent PRIA with credibility across diverse audiences.

Adaptable and resilient, with comfort leading through complexity and change.

Deep alignment with PRIA’s vision of citizen-centred governance and social justice.

Experience and Qualifications

Ideally 20+ years of progressive leadership experience, including at least 5 years in senior management overseeing cross-functional teams.

Proven track record in organisational management, governance, and financial stewardship.

Demonstrated experience in resource mobilisation and managing donor partnerships.

Experience in one or more of PRIA’s thematic domains democratic governance, gender equality, urban inclusion, climate resilience, or youth leadership is essential.

Experience supporting institutional change or founder transitions is desirable.

Advanced degree in management, public policy, development studies, or the social sciences.

On Offer :

Shape a Legacy : Play a central role in stewarding one of India’s most enduring social-purpose institutions into its next phase.

Bridge Generations : Work directly with Dr. Rajesh Tandon and the Board to ensure a thoughtful, values-led founder transition.

Advance Impact : Contribute to programs at the intersection of governance, gender, climate, and youth empowerment.

Lead Systems Strengthening : Build the frameworks and culture for PRIA’s next generation of leaders.

Values-Driven Environment : Join a diverse, humble, and mission-driven team grounded in participation and respect.

Compensation : Competitive within India’s non-profit leadership market and commensurate with experience.

Application Process :

Shortlist ( is our exclusive recruitment exclusive partner for this role.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is closed, though early applications are strongly encouraged.

To apply, click the "Easy Apply" button or share your cover letter and resume / LinkedIn profile using the contact details below. If you would like to refer someone from your network or have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us.

Apoorva Kanotra

Talent Consultant

apoorva@shortlist.net