Chief Operating Officer

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

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 : www.pria.org

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

Operational Management and Governance

Resource Mobilisation and Partnerships

People and Culture

Competencies Sought :

Core Attributes

Experience and Qualifications

On Offer :

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

Application Process :

Shortlist (www.shortlist.net) 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 / 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