Manager – Policy Engagement

• Facilitate and nurture quality relationships with opinion leaders across government, media, business and civil society including ministers, MPs, MLAs and heads of constitutional bodies
• Working closely with Policy and Insights team internally, and programmatic strands of Municipal Finance, Civic Participation and State programs
• Set high standards of operational excellence across talent onboarding and management, program strategy and annual planning, project management and reporting, budgeting and cost management and other aspects of day to day operations.
• Curate and execute high quality stakeholder engagement and communication across events and convenings, policy briefs, print/TV/web and social media and high touch, closed-door meetings
• Lead the policy engagement strand by leveraging Janaagraha’s track record and expertise, undertaking targeted policy research and analyses as needed, and identifying and executing opportunities for stakeholder engagement on reforms to strengthen city‑systems (urban governance), particularly around decentralised, participatory governance in cities and identified geographical area.
• Put in place robust systems and processes in the organisation for stakeholder relationship management and communications

We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced policy professional to strengthen our efforts in advocating city-systems (urban governance) reforms, with a focus on the areas of 74th Constitutional Amendment, devolution of powers to municipalities, and formal platforms for citizen participation. The incumbent must have hands‑on work experience in policy research, analysis, reform design and engagement with range of stakeholders including senior government functionaries, elected representatives, political and social leaders, think-tanks, influencers, CSOs and media, at national and state levels. The ideal candidate would have a track record of championing constitutional, legal and governance reforms in at least 1-2 sectors, preferably allied to urban development. This position would play the key role of facilitating the engagement with policy makers and other senior stakeholders directly to pursue the much needed reforms to strengthen the city systems.

• Demonstrated track record in policy engagement, stakeholder relationship management, communications, policy research and analyses, and policy reforms at the highest levels including Members of Parliament/Assemblies (MPs/MLAs), Ministers and Think Tanks.
• Hands-on experience in organising one-to-one meetings, high-level consultations, meetings, roundtables and conferences with senior elected leaders, government functionaries and experts is highly desirable
• Situational intelligence with respect to reading context and calibrating communication basis the same
• Towards the above, fully internalise past track record and prevalent knowledge and relationships in Janaagraha, e.g. ASICS and other action research and put in place work plans for targeted policy research, and detailed work plans for stakeholder engagement and communications
• Internship and/or working experience with law makers (MPs, MLAs/MLCs, Ministers, Mayors) and/or think tanks engaged in policy advocacy, research and implementation is highly desirable
• Ability and willingness to think long-term and work backwards to evolve long-term plans with short-term milestones, with quick turn-around of policy briefs, draft bills, etc.
• Ability to read political economy factors and trends and to make real-time adjustments to work plans basis the same
• Close alignment with Janaagraha’s Culture Codes
• 5-10 years of experience in policy advocacy, reform design, research, analysis, governance, preferably in areas related to urban development
• Ability and willingness to evolve clarity from ambiguity
• Working knowledge and skills with data and technology including MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Tenacity and resilience to pursue and accomplish reform agendas to solve “wicked problems”
• Master’s degree or equivalent in Public Policy, Urban Governance, Development Studies, Public Administration, Political Science, Law, Media, Communications or other equivalent streams from institutes of repute
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills

At Janaagraha, you will be part of a multi-disciplinary team of professionals and passionate citizens who apply cutting-edge technologies and practices aimed at social change in India’s cities. We offer a dynamic, driven and vibrant work environment for professionals who are passionate about investing their time, skill sets and energy to transform quality of life in India’s cities. At work, you will be exposed to a unique combination of policy, practice and platforms and will have abundant opportunities to learn and apply professional skills to social challenges.

Janaagraha is an equal opportunity employer and offers a highly dynamic and enabling work environment. We provide competitive remuneration commensurate with relevant experience skill-sets and background. This position is based out of Bengaluru/Delhi and will report to the Director – Policy Engagement.

• Gain working knowledge and expertise over decentralised, participatory governance and community mobilisation in India, political economy factors impacting the same, and emerging trends globally