Associate Director - Policy & Research - NGO

Key Responsibilities :

- Conceptualize and lead policy reform agenda in line with overall strategy

- Understand existing research, domestic and international, on the landscape and evidence around policy innovations/ structural reforms in agricultural sector

- Develop a point of view on effectiveness of policy innovations that are transformational, and backed by strong evidence and supported by ease of implementation

- Develop and test hypothesis on key policy reforms by closely liaising with governments and other research partners

- Lead technical conversations with partners, researchers and policy experts and identify opportunities to partner with the government to bring about reforms in the agricultural policy

- Represent the organization in key policy discussions at the state and central level

- Ensuring timely and high-quality outputs linked to strategic organizational goals and priorities

- Manage and lead a team of high-performing individuals

- Support the CEO in key organization-wide initiatives such as overall strategy and planning and talent management

Required Qualifications, Skills and Abilities :

- Master's degree or equivalent in relevant fields including agriculture, economics, social sciences or public policy

- 12+ years of work experience with managerial responsibilities, demonstrating superb project delivery, team leadership and understanding of policy space

- Should have produced high-quality research for publication in monographs or recognized high-quality journals on issues related agriculture and allied activities

- Understanding of key policy issues in Indian Agricultural Sector and interest in reforming it. Exceptional candidates who have worked in non-agricultural sector are also encouraged to apply

- Excellent research skills and the ability to analyse complex qualitative and quantitative data, craft possible solutions, and recommend actions

- Extensive experience of working on policy change with the government and public-sector stakeholders at the Centre and State levels

- Ability to effectively communicate research and evaluation findings to different stakeholders in the ecosystem

- Excellent leadership and administrative skills, including ability to manage multiple projects at a time, and work without supervision

- Ability to work closely with fellow leadership team members, and brainstorm with them

Desired Qualities :

- Entrepreneurial mindset and comfort in navigating ambiguity through structured analysis

- Operational style suited to working in a small organization where teamwork, resourcefulness and entrepreneurial spirit is highly valued

- Intent and drive to make large-scale impact

- Clarity of purpose and intent of working in the agriculture space

- Attention to detail and diligence