About Pahlé India Foundation
Pahlé India Foundation (PIF) is a public policy think-and-action tank working at the intersection of research, policy implementation, and partnerships to advance India's inclusive development agenda. PIF collaborates with government, industry, philanthropy, and knowledge partners to design evidence-based solutions aligned with the vision of a Viksit Bharat. For more information, click the link
Role Overview
The Associate Fellow will play a critical role in leading and executing policy research, stakeholder consultations, liaising with Government departments, and project implementation in the Employment and Livelihoods (ELS) vertical, with a specific focus on women's economic empowerment, self-help groups (SHGs), State Rural Livelihoods Missions (SRLMs), and micro, small & medium enterprises (MSMEs). This role requires a deep understanding of gender and livelihoods policy, grassroots programme design, and the ability to work closely with government institutions, women's collectives, and development sector partners.
The ideal candidate should have a strong background in women's economic empowerment, gender and development, social protection, or livelihoods, with proven experience in working with SHGs, SRLMs, MSMEs, or gender-focused policy and programmes.
Key Responsibilities
Policy Research & Analysis
- Lead and contribute to policy research on women's economic empowerment, gender and livelihoods, social protection, and financial inclusion.
- Analyse the ecosystem of SHGs, SRLMs, and women-led MSMEs to generate actionable policy insights.
- Prepare policy briefs, research reports, and knowledge products for government and development stakeholders.
Stakeholder Engagement & Government Liaison
- Engage with government agencies, SRLMs, SHG federations, MSME bodies, civil society organisations, and women's groups.
- Coordinate stakeholder consultations and roundtables to inform policy design and implementation.
- Liaise with government departments on schemes and programmes such as DAY-NRLM, Mahila Shakti Kendra, PMEGP, Udyam, and related state-level initiatives.
Programme Design & Implementation
- Design and support grassroots programme interventions focused on women's economic empowerment.
- Support project implementation and monitoring in the Employment and Livelihoods vertical.
- Apply understanding of gender and development frameworks to programme design and evaluation.
Knowledge Management & Communication
- Document learnings, case studies, and research findings for internal and external dissemination.
- Present research outputs to policymakers, government departments, and development partners.
- Contribute to PIF's public narrative on gender, women's employment, and livelihoods.
Qualifications & Experience
- Master's Degree or PhD in gender studies, development economics, social work, public policy, rural management, or a related discipline.
- 3 to 5 years of experience working with SHGs, SRLMs, MSMEs, or women's economic empowerment programmes.
- Strong academic training in policy-oriented research on gender, women's employment, social protection, and financial inclusion.
Skills & Competencies
- In-depth understanding of women's economic empowerment frameworks, gender and livelihoods linkages, and the ecosystem of SHGs, SRLMs, and women-led MSMEs in India.
- Strong research, analytical, and strategic planning skills with attention to detail.
- Familiarity with government schemes and programmes related to women's empowerment and MSMEs, such as DAY-NRLM, Mahila Shakti Kendra, PMEGP, Udyam, and related state-level initiatives.
- Proficiency in stakeholder engagement, with experience working alongside government agencies, SRLMs, SHG federations, MSME bodies, civil society organisations, and women's groups.
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, for effective documentation and presentation.
- Ability to think independently and work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
- Highly motivated team player, particular about observing deadlines and prepared for outcome-based performance evaluation.
What We Offer
- Opportunity to work on high-impact public policy research projects.
- Exposure to real-world governance and development policy challenges.
- A collaborative and mission-driven work environment.
- Competitive compensation commensurate with experience and industry norms.
Application Procedure
Interested candidates are invited to send the following to: [Confidential Information].
- A detailed CV.
- A cover letter highlighting your interest and relevant experience for this role.
Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further evaluation. Pahle India Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds.
