Job Description

Job Title: Program Associate Odisha State Team

About TCF and TCF Network:

The Convergence Foundation (TCF) is an Indian philanthropic foundation dedicated to catalysing rapid and sustained economic growth to enhance the lives of all Indians. Established by Ashish and Manisha Dhawan in April 2021, TCF builds on their legacy of impactful philanthropy, including the founding of transformative institutions like Ashoka University and the Central Square Foundation.

Our mission is clear: to transform the lives of all Indians through rapid, sustained, and inclusive economic growth. To achieve this, we focus on seven key program areas that influence job creation, human capital development through education and skilling, women empowerment, and strengthening state capacity to deliver outcomes.

In each area, TCF works on:

• Building pioneering institutions to address India's most complex socio-economic challenges
• Shaping the larger ecosystem and sharing knowledge, insights and learning with other philanthropists, governments, and key stakeholders

The TCF Network includes 16+ organisations, each committed to addressing specific areas of India's socio-economic development, from school education and governance to women's economic empowerment and export competitiveness.

TCF State Teams - Shaping Agenda and Anchoring Multi-Partner Collaborations in Indian States:

Governments are critical and often the primary partner and driver of change to achieve at scale outcomes across human capital development and economic growth. While the Central Government is a key stakeholder and exercises a significant influence, a state is an ideal unit of change, especially in Indias context, given the regional diversity and federal government structure. Across health, education, agriculture, nutrition and other sectors, Indian state governments have the mandate, sphere of influence, resources, and personnel to deliver public services and create the conditions for economic growth and development.

TCF aims to work closely with the state leadership to shape the states goals and support with implementation to ensure required outcomes are met.

TCFs State teams will be on ground and work closely with the offices of states leadership team to provide high-quality, pro-bono strategic support across multiple areas.

• Support in shaping the states agenda by engaging with key decision makers and leveraging TCFs excellent research, analysis, knowledge, and network
• Provide strategic advice to the state in developing a comprehensive reform roadmap across multiple sectors, in partnership with leading agencies and partners
• Bring in Indias best organizations, within and beyond TCF network, for various domains and enable their success in the state
• Work closely with state leadership and partners to track implementation and ensure desired outcomes are met

By 2030, TCF plans to have deep relationships with at least 6 large Indian states.

Position Summary

This role offers an exciting opportunity to shape the future of a large state and provides exposure to a diverse range of areas such as economic growth, education, skilling, women empowerment, and health. You will work closely with senior leaders across political, bureaucratic, private sectors, and not-for-profit sectors to drive priority outcomes for the state and TCF.

This is a dynamic role that requires agility to learn about a wide range of topics, work with multiple stakeholders, and a deep passion for impact.

You will be part of the state team and report to the Program Head, Odisha State Team. The Odisha State team will further report to TCFs Central Policy and Government partnership team, which will be based out of Delhi.

Key responsibilities include:

• Research and Strategy Support: Assist senior team members in conducting thorough research, data analysis, expert consultations, and field visits. Contribute to shaping the state's agenda by supporting the development of key insights and strategic recommendations on critical areas of change.
• Operational and Analytical Excellence: Work closely with senior team members to ensure the timely delivery of high-quality outputs such as presentations, data analysis (Excel), policy briefs, and proposals. Play a hands-on role in day-to-day operations, ensuring effective project execution.
• Stakeholder Management: Collaborate effectively with various internal and external stakeholders, including government officials and partner organisations. Maintain strong working relationships with TCF's partners by providing operational and analytical support as needed to drive project success.
• Relationship Building: Actively engage with key departments such as the Chief Secretary and Chief Minister offices, developing rapport and credibility within the state ecosystem. Foster ongoing relationships to facilitate smooth coordination and implementation of initiatives.
• Support for Strategic Projects: Provide operational and analytical assistance for high-priority projects led by the CS office. Contribute to tasks beyond the core scope of TCF and its partner organisations as required, ensuring alignment with strategic state initiatives.

Required Qualifications, Skills, and Attributes:

Qualifications -

• Experience: Minimum 3 years of relevant experience, with prior stints in top-tier consulting firms or strategy roles in fast-paced environments (start-ups, VCs, etc.); exposure of working with the government desirable
• Education: Bachelors from a top-tier institution

Skills -

• Problem Solving: Demonstrated innovative problem-solving skills in complex environments
• Analytical and Technical skills: Able to work with data and tools to generate insights
• Curiosity: Enjoys learning new areas of work through research, experts consultations, etc.
• Ownership: Capable of owning and delivering high-impact deliverables independently. High attention to detail in terms of quality, accuracy, and timelines
• Strategic Thinking: Comfortable with working with and solving complex, ambiguous problems. Able to create long-term strategy plans and implementation roadmaps
• Communication Skills: Superior communication skills with the ability to negotiate and persuade high-level stakeholders. High quality knowledge outputs, especially presentations and policy briefs
• Collaboration and Stakeholder Management: Proficient with engaging and building meaningful relationships. Role requires collaborating with senior and junior govt officials, partner organisations, industries, advisors, and TCF senior leadership
• Adaptability: Exceptionally adaptable, with the ability to adjust strategies in response to changing conditions.

Attributes -

• Passionate about TCFs mission and driven to make a measurable impact on India's growth trajectory through policy reform and government engagement
• Perseverance and patience to work through challenging problem statements, a variety of stakeholders, and dynamic situations
• Focused on outcomes by being proactive in identifying opportunities/challenges, reaching out to the right set of people, taking required actions, and measuring outcomes
• Integrity and discretion in handling sensitive situations and confidential information
• Credible and trustworthy demeanour that fosters respect, confidence, and lasting relationships with diverse stakeholders

Location: Bhubaneswar; Travel within Odisha on need basis

How to Apply: Please send an email to the following address: vishal@theconvergencefoundation.org or click on "APPLY HERE!" to submit your application.