Job Description - Associate Director - Policy Research & Advocacy - Delhi/NCR
Organization Background
RightWalk Foundation’s core mission involves driving Equity, Inclusion & Social Justice by co-shaping public policies and translating them into action. We practice Systems Thinking approach for institutional reform by partnering with system leadership, lawmakers, and communities. We have several key policy reforms related to RTE 12.1.(c) and Apprenticeship and enabled over 7 lakh EWS and disadvantaged children access quality education and 90,000 vulnerable youth find apprenticeship opportunities in the last 8 years.
Purpose of the Role
As the Associate Director of Policy Research & Advocacy, you will be responsible for researching, formulating, and advocacy of research based, impactful public policies. Reporting to the Founders office, you will be instrumental in developing policy recommendations, creating advocacy strategies, and engaging with the Program Director and Executive Team to ensure alignment with organizational goals.
Areas of Responsibility - The list, not limited to, as below provides more detailed descriptions of the role.
Policy Research and Analysis:
- Collaborate closely with Senior Management to curate a comprehensive list of potential public policies aligned with the organization's vision and mission.
- Research and analyse new and existing policies along a framework
- Stay abreast of legislative changes and policy developments in the field.
- Support secondary research for various projects and assist in project implementation.
- Assist the team in data analysis for projects and reports, ensuring accuracy and relevance.
Policy Recommendations:
- Develop well-informed policy recommendations based on thorough research and analysis.
- Deliver high-quality research on inbound and curated research requests for strategy teams.
- Identify opportunities to provide additional dimensions to research projects, coordinating with senior team members.
Advocacy and Implementation Strategies:
- Formulate effective advocacy and implementation strategies to ensure the successful adoption and execution of recommended policies.
- Work closely with stakeholders to gather information and insights for proposed policy changes.
Communication and Reporting:
- Develop policy-wise dynamic information frameworks to keep the Executive Team informed about policy developments & advocacy initiatives.
- Provide regular updates on progress, challenges, and opportunities.
- Develop in-house policy research and action tools
- Develop reports to ensure clear and concise communication of complex policy issues to diverse stakeholders.
Data-Driven Insights:
- Utilize data-driven insights to inform the development and reform of policies.
- Collaborate with data and research teams to integrate relevant information into advocacy efforts.
- Provide data-driven insights to inform policy development, reforms, and decision-making processes.
- Utilize analytical tools & methodologies to enhance the evidence base for policy recommendations.
Policy Evaluation:
- Design research metrics for evaluating policies and create detailed comparative evaluation documents.
- Collaborate with internal teams to align policy recommendations with organizational goals.
- Identify potential strategy areas and collaborate with operations and communication teams for the expansion of policies, to enhance the visibility & impact of research findings.
- Contribute to the development of proposals through meaningful research & strategic insights.
- Present policies to government entities, and other stakeholders, fostering engagement support.
Qualifications
- Master’s degree or above in Public Policy, Political Science, Law, Development Studies, or relevant field.
- 10+ years of experience in policy research, development, and advocacy. Experience working with the government will be preferred. Experience in the development sector is a must.
- Strong analytical and research skills. Data-driven decision-making skills.
- Demonstrated success in building public support and leading advocacy campaigns.
- Ability to work independently and proactively, without support staff.
- Strong strategizing, planning, and organizational skills, and an ability to be able to set priorities, plan timelines, and meet deadlines.
Desired Qualities
- Entrepreneurial spirit and ‘get-it-done’ attitude.
- Operating style suited to working in a lean setting, where teamwork and resourcefulness are highly valued.
- Excellent leadership skills, including the ability to multi-task at a time.
Personal Attributes
- Alignment: Strong alignment with RWF’s mission of driving Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice in building stronger education ecosystems in India
- Enjoys working under pressure: flexible, highly organized, and able to prioritize work to meet deadlines.
