Assistant Manager - Public Policy (Job Vacancy)

Overview:

The Central PMU Strategic Lead will spearhead and manage LAHI’s Central Project Management Unit (CPMU) teams collaborating with 25 State Governments. This role involves direct engagement with key State Governments, the Central Government, and major National Skilling & Education bodies, providing strategic direction on pivotal policy areas. The incumbent will serve as the central link between LAHI Headquarters and State Programs, ensuring strategic alignment and effective communication.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership & Guidance:
• Lead and guide State PMU teams across multiple states, overseeing the planning, execution, and monitoring of vocational education initiatives.
• Provide strategic direction on innovation policies of the Ministry of Education, MSDE, World Bank, ADB, and other prominent entities in the skill education domain.
• Research & Documentation:
• Conduct research on relevant skill ecosystem topics to produce policy drafts, SOPs, strategy papers, proposals, and concept notes for sharing with senior government officials.
• Engage in writing, research, and high-quality documentation to communicate ideas and strategies effectively to various stakeholders.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Advocacy:
• Liaise with senior government officials at both State and Central levels to build advocacy and strengthen partnerships, ensuring supportive policies for vocational education components.
• Team Collaboration & Support:
• Collaborate with LAHI’s dedicated program teams to provide central strategic guidance as needed.
• Organize and lead meetings and events with multiple senior stakeholders.

What you Bring:

Experience & Qualifications:

• 4 to 8+ years of experience in implementing government schemes, private sector projects, or social enterprise initiatives.
• Experience working with senior bureaucrats and government agencies at State or Central levels (preferred).
• Proven track record in the areas of skill development and education/skill education/livelihood (preferred).
• Experience as a Technical & Managerial Consultant in the social sector domain, associated with Think Tanks, Public Policy Organizations, or Social Consultancy firms (preferred).
• Participation in relevant social sector fellowships like Gandhi Fellowship, Teach For India, Mahatma Gandhi National Fellow, Indian Administrative Fellow, Prime Minister Rural Development Fund and other similar fellowships (preferred).
• Graduation in any stream (technical field preferred); a Postgraduate degree in the Social or Education Sector is desirable.

Skills Required:

• Public policy, research, and government partnership-building experience.
• Leadership experience in roles like Public Policy Manager, State Government Projects Manager, or Research Manager.
• Strong research, writing, and communication skills with proficiency in drafting proposals, strategy papers, SOPs, and presentations.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft and Google tools for documentation and analytics, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Forms, etc.
• Excellent negotiation and persuasion skills, especially with senior bureaucrats, partners, and management.