Job Description

Job Title: Head- Close the Gender Gap Initiative

Location: Delhi

About Close the Gender Gap (CGG):

Close the Gender Gap, is a joint initiative of The Convergence Foundation And The Udaiti Foundation, with an ambitious mission to transform the landscape of female employment in India's private sector. We are seeking an influential leader to fill the role of Head of Close the Gender Gap, driving forward our ambitious "30x2030" strategy. This strategy is focused on increasing women’s participation in the listed private sector organizations to 30% by the year 2030 from the current average across 25 sectors of 19%, a crucial step towards achieving gender equality and enhancing the economic strength of the nation.

Our initiative draws upon detailed, comprehensive data analysis of over 2100 major firms across 25 sectors. This data reveals not only the current status of women’s participation but also pinpoints the sectors where the potential for impact is most significant. By identifying these gaps and opportunities for increasing female employment, CGG aims to implement targeted, data-driven interventions that will catalyze change across the employment spectrum and our initiatives will initially focus around 8 sectors like; Information Technology, Banking, Other Financial Services and Insurance and Services, FMCG, Pharma, Textiles and Consumer Services.

Role Summary:

As the Head of CGG, you will develop a strategy for increasing women's participation in key industries, execute a data-driven advocacy agenda, build proof points of success, and create a diverse coalition of champions. You will be responsible for building and leading a high-impact program that addresses demand-side barriers for women in the workplace and drives significant policy reforms. Collaborating closely with senior leadership in private sector organizations, you will champion scalable and impactful partnerships that promote gender equality across corporate India.

Your role will also involve engaging and building strategic partnerships at the C-suite level, fostering relationships with industry bodies, and working with sector experts. This position requires a leader with a strong track record in managing data-driven gender parity initiatives, a capability for forging partnerships, and a strategic mindset adept at navigating industry complexities to ensure meaningful advancement in gender equality.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive strategy for the Close the Gender Gap Initiative, aligning with the Foundation's overall mission and strategic goals, focusing on achieving 30% women's participation in the workforce by 2030.

• Foster and deepen partnerships with C-suite executives in private sector organizations, industry leaders, and key stakeholders to support the implementation of gender-inclusive policies and programs.

• Conduct extensive research and utilize data analytics to identify existing gender gaps within the Indian workforce, and develop innovative, data-driven solutions to bridge these gaps.

• Lead the design and implementation of pilots and strategic interventions, including workshops and other capacity-building initiatives, in collaboration with partner organizations across eight key sectors.

• Oversee the initiative’s program budget, financial management, and grant administration, ensuring accountability and optimal use of resources.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, sector consultants, and industry bodies to ensure effective coordination and alignment of efforts across different teams and sectors.

• Represent the initiative at national and international conferences, events, and meetings, serving as a key spokesperson and advocate for gender parity in the workforce.

• Monitor and evaluate the impact of the initiative through robust metrics and feedback mechanisms, ensuring continuous improvement and strategic adjustments as needed.

• Provide visionary leadership and mentorship to a dedicated team of professionals working on the initiative, fostering a culture of innovation, inclusion, and high performance.

• Engage in advocacy efforts and contribute to the development of policy reforms that incentivize and increase accountability for gender parity initiatives within the private sector.

Ideal Candidate Profile for the Head of Close the Gender Gap Initiative:

1. Strategic Leadership:

• Experience: Proven track record in strategic planning within corporate or impact sectors.

• Skills: Capable of leading initiatives to change workforce demographics and increase women’s participation in the labor market.

• Career Focus: Suited for seasoned corporate leaders seeking impactful roles in social impact.

2. Analytical Acumen:

• Skills: Strong in data analysis, using industry data to shape actionable strategies.

• Experience: Experienced in data-driven decision making to close gender gaps.

3. Communication & Influence:

• Skills: Excellent at engaging with C-suite executives and stakeholders, with strong advocacy abilities.

• Role: Represent the initiative effectively at various levels, including national and international forums.

4. Leadership & Education:

• Education: Holds advanced degrees from reputable institutions.

• Experience: Demonstrated success in leading diverse teams and managing significant projects.

• Mentorship: Effective in guiding a team towards strategic objectives.

5. Partnership Development:

• Experience: Skilled in establishing and maintaining partnerships across private and industry sectors.

• Skills: Expertise in collaborative efforts that advance gender equality initiatives.

6. Commitment to Gender Parity:

• Experience: Background in policy-making or advocacy for gender parity in the workforce.

• Skills: Competent in creating programs that enhance female employment opportunities.

Ideal Candidate Qualities:

• 20 + years of experience in the corporate sector with education from top tier institutions..

• Passionate advocate for gender equality.

• Strategic thinker with a robust analytical approach.

• Experienced leader with a strong educational foundation.

• Effective communicator with a knack for building strategic partnerships.

• Ready to leverage corporate experience for significant social impact in a second career phase.