Senior AI Product & Strategy Consultant

Position Title: Senior AI Product & Strategy Consultant

Engagement Type: Consultancy (Fixed-Term, Part-Time)

Number of Openings: 3

Start Date: 01st February 2026

Duration: 6 Months, extendable up to 8 months

Geography Of Work

• Candidate 1: Gujarat & Maharashtra
• Candidate 2: NCR (India), Uttar Pradesh & Himachal Pradesh
• Candidate 3: Karnataka & Tamil Nadu
  
  

Language Requirements

• Hindi: Mandatory
• Gujarati: Preferred
• Tamil: Preferred
  
  

About Us Athena Infonomics

Celebrating over fifteen years of innovative and collaborative work, Athena Infonomics is an established best-in-class global solutions group offering integrated social science research, data, and technology services for social impact to provide user-centric, context-specific advisory and implementation support to decision makers. Our multidisciplinary and multi-cultural team of 75+ professionals across Asia, Africa, USA and UK bring extensive experience in designing and applying research methods to co-design and co-produce useful research that is inclusive and relevant. At Athena, we've always believed that real impact comes from building solutions that last. We go beyond traditional project-based engagements, immersing in sectors, understanding real challenges, and driving innovations that truly make a difference.

• Background & Context
  
  

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) form the backbone of the Indian economy, with approximately 6.3 million enterprises contributing nearly 30% of India's GDP. Despite this significant contribution, the adoption of Artificial Intelligence among MSMEs, particularly Small and Medium Enterprises remains limited and uneven. AI usage is largely concentrated among large enterprises, while most MSMEs continue to face barriers in understanding, adopting, and deriving value from AI-driven solutions.

Although many MSMEs recognise the potential benefits of AI in improving productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness, they often lack clarity on where to begin. Only a small subset of enterprises have identified high-value, sector-relevant AI use cases, and even fewer have assessed implementation pathways, technology partners, or financing options. Furthermore, uncertainty around the value proposition and return on investment of AI solutions continues to impede adoption.

In this context, Athena Infonomics seeks to support evidence-based AI adoption among MSMEs by generating rigorous insights on high-impact and solvable AI use cases, developing practical implementation and financing strategies, and strengthening institutional support mechanisms to enable scale and sustainability.

• Project Objectives
  
  

The overarching objective of this engagement is to support increased and effective adoption of AI among MSMEs by generating actionable, sector-specific evidence and translating it into practical operational guidance.

• The specific objectives of the project are to:
• Identify high-impact, feasible, and solvable AI use cases across selected manufacturing sectors, including textiles, electronics, and pharmaceuticals (including MedTech).
• Develop a clear understanding of data, instrumentation, cost-benefit profiles, and deployment strategies for priority AI use cases.
• Enable cross-learning and matchmaking between MSMEs and AI service providers through evidence generation and synthesis.
• Support the design of operational roadmaps and governance frameworks to guide ethical, responsible, and scalable AI adoption.
• Scope of Work
  
  

The Senior AI Product & Strategy Consultant will provide strategic leadership in identifying, assessing, and detailing high-impact AI use cases for MSMEs. The role focuses on use-case strategy, feasibility assessment, value articulation, and implementation design, drawing on extensive, first-hand field immersion undertaken alongside Design Researchers and Sector Specialists throughout the engagement period.

The Consultant Will Work Closely With Athena Infonomics Leadership And Research Teams To Translate Field Evidence And Sectoral Insights Into Actionable AI Adoption Pathways, Policy-relevant Insights, And Implementation-ready Roadmaps. The Scope Of Work Will Include, But Not Be Limited To, The Following

Phase 1: Discovery Identifying Solvable, High-Impact AI Use Cases

• Conduct extensive field based research to understand sectoral challenges, workflows, and AI readiness among MSMEs.
• Lead stakeholder consultations with MSMEs, industry associations, technology providers, and relevant institutions.
• Assess feasibility, scalability, and sectoral relevance of potential AI use cases.
• Assist in prioritising a shortlist of high-impact, solvable AI use cases that address pressing operational and strategic challenges.
• Evaluate scalability and relevance of AI use cases across enterprise sizes and geographies, and lead prioritisation based on impact, feasibility, and adoption potential.
  
  

Phase 2: Design Developing Operational Roadmaps and High-Potential Use Cases

• Translate prioritised use cases into detailed implementation concepts and operational roadmaps.
• Develop costbenefit and value propositions for priority AI use cases, including adoption costs, productivity gains, and potential ROI.
• Lead the articulation of data and instrumentation requirements, deployment pathways, and success metrics.
• Identify suitable adoption and delivery models for MSMEs (e.g., shared services, platform-based solutions, phased adoption).
• Align implementation strategies with existing schemes, incentives, and institutional mechanisms where relevant.
• Develop governance frameworks to enable ethical, responsible, and sustainable AI adoption.
• Roles & Responsibilities
  
  

Consultant (Senior AI Product & Strategy Consultant)

Responsibilities

The Senior AI Product & Strategy Consultant will be responsible for conducting immersive field research with MSMEs, translating sectoral insights into high-impact AI use cases, prioritization frameworks, and actionable adoption strategies. Key responsibilities include:

• Lead the development of research frameworks, tools, and methodologies aligned with project objectives.
• Lead inception-stage planning, including refinement of research questions, stakeholder mapping, and fieldwork plans.
• Engage in extensive field immersion to develop first-hand understanding of MSME operations, constraints, and decision-making contexts.
• Engage directly with enterprise owners, managers, workers, technology providers, and ecosystem actors.
• Conduct interviews, focus group discussions, and contextual inquiries to capture operational challenges, pain points, and AI adoption readiness.This role involves extensive field immersion throughout the engagement period. The consultant is expected to spend at least 80% of the consultancy duration in the field, visiting assigned geographies and sectoral stakeholders.
• Map MSME stakeholders, business processes, and operational touchpoints to visualize workflows, decision pathways, and opportunities for AI adoption.
• Interpret and build upon qualitative insights to inform AI product and use-case strategy.
• Identify operational bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and decision points where AI solutions can create measurable value.
• Frame AI problem statements that are grounded in MSME realities and sectoral contexts.
• Lead the strategic identification, framing, and refinement of AI use cases across textiles, electronics, and pharmaceuticals (including MedTech).
• Evaluate use cases against criteria such as impact potential, feasibility, scalability, and adoption readiness.
• Prioritise use cases across enterprise sizes and geographies, accounting for differences in digital maturity and resource constraints. Ensure use cases remain solvable, implementable, and relevant to MSMEs rather than aspirational or overly complex.
• Assess data availability, data quality, and instrumentation requirements for priority AI use cases.
• Define high-level AI / ML approaches and solution concepts without engaging in model development or coding.
• Identify dependencies, constraints, and risks that could affect implementation and scale.
• Engage with technology providers and ecosystem actors to validate feasibility assumptions where required.
• Develop clear costbenefit and value propositions for shortlisted AI use cases.
• Assess adoption costs, operational efficiencies, productivity gains, and potential ROI for MSMEs.
• Articulate value in language that resonates with MSME decision-makers, policymakers, and institutional stakeholders.
• Design operational roadmaps outlining phases, timelines, resource needs, and success metrics for AI adoption.
• Identify appropriate deployment and adoption models suited to MSME contexts (e.g., shared infrastructure, platform-based delivery, phased implementation).
• Align AI adoption pathways with existing policy instruments, schemes, incentives, and institutional support mechanisms.
• Anticipate adoption challenges and propose practical mitigation strategies.
• Development of governance frameworks that support ethical, responsible, and sustainable AI adoption.
• Identify risks related to data privacy, bias, transparency, workforce impact, and vendor dependence.
• Propose safeguards and governance mechanisms aligned with responsible AI principles and regulatory expectations.
• Work closely with Athena Infonomics leadership, sector specialists, Design Researchers, and other consultants.
• Provide critical thinking and strategic guidance on AI-related outputs emerging from the project.
• Prepare high-quality research reports, briefs, presentations, and materials for internal and external stakeholders.
• Participate in milestone reviews, leadership discussions, and internal quality assurance processes.
• Support cross-learning and knowledge exchange across field teams.
• Engage with senior stakeholders including industry representatives, institutional partners, and line ministries.
• Contribute to and participate in workshops, consultations, and roundtables.
• Translate complex AI and product concepts into clear, accessible outputs for non-technical audiences.
• Support dissemination of findings through presentations, briefs, and reports.
• Provide regular progress updates and flag risks, constraints, or dependencies proactively.
• Ensure timely delivery of assigned responsibilities and contributions.
• Adhere to Athena Infonomics ethical standards, data protection protocols, and confidentiality requirements.
• Maintain high standards of professionalism and integrity throughout the engagement.
  
  

Athena Infonomics

Athena Infonomics Will Be Responsible For

• Providing overall project governance, strategic direction, and technical oversight.
• Appointing a designated point of contact to coordinate and manage the consultancy.
• Facilitating access to relevant stakeholders, including MSMEs and sector bodies.
• Providing relevant background materials, data, and contextual inputs required for effective execution.
• Booking travel and accommodation for approved field visits and reimbursing incidental expenses on an actuals basis, in line with organisational policies.
• Reviewing deliverables and providing timely, consolidated feedback and approvals.
• Ensuring timely payments and compliance with contractual and statutory obligations.
• Providing access to any hardware and software requirements as outlined and agreed during the inception stage of the project.
• Supporting risk management and issue resolution throughout the engagement.
• Qualifications
• Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, AI/ML, Management, Economics, or a related field.
• Additional certification or training in AI applications, digital transformation, product strategy, or design thinking is a plus.
• 1015 years of experience in AI, product strategy, digital transformation, or related consulting roles.
• Demonstrated experience leading AI or digital adoption initiatives, including feasibility assessments, prioritization, and implementation planning.
• Proven track record of translating research or field insights into actionable business or operational strategies.
• Experience working with MSMEs, small businesses, or development/economic projects is highly desirable.
• Engagement with policy, institutional stakeholders, or industry associations is a plus.
• Field Immersion Target
  
  

Candidate 1

• 30 Pharma MSMEs spread across Gujarat
• 30 Textile MSMEs spread across Gujarat
• 10 Electronics MSMEs in Maharashtra
  
  

Candidate 2

• 20 Electronics MSMEs in NCR, India
• 20 MedTech MSMEs in NCR, India
• 10 Textile MSMEs in NCR, India
• 10 Pharma MSMEs spread across Himachal Pradesh
  
  

Candidate 3

• 25 Electronics MSMEs spread across Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
• 15 MedTech MSMEs spread across Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
• 20 Textile MSMEs spread across Tamil Nadu
• Duration & Level of Effort
• Total Duration: 6 months, extendable up to 8 months
• Start Date: 01 February 2026
• Engagement Type: Full-time consultancy
• Field Commitment: This role involves extensive field immersion, with the consultant expected to spend at least 80% of the engagement period in the field. Flexibility to extend field stays is preferred to maximize the efficiency of research activities and complete a larger portion of work per trip.
• Work Mode: Primarily field-based, with coordination and reporting to Athena Infonomics project team.
• Reporting & Communication
• The consultant will report to the Director Products and Innovation, Athena Infonomics.
• Provide regular updates on progress, challenges, and field activities as requested by the reporting manager.
• Payment Terms
  
  

The consultancy offers a competitive and market-aligned package, designed to attract and reward experienced professionals. The package includes full coverage of approved field-related expenses, ensuring you can focus on immersive research without operational concerns. Payment will be made monthly, based on submission of deliverables and timesheets, and in accordance with Athena Infonomics standard payment procedures.

• Confidentiality & Intellectual Property
  
  

Confidentiality

The consultant shall maintain strict confidentiality of all information, documents, data, and insights obtained during the engagement with Athena Infonomics or its stakeholders. The consultant shall not disclose any confidential information to third parties, use it for personal gain, or share it outside the scope of the engagement, without prior written consent from Athena Infonomics. Confidentiality obligations shall remain in force during and after the consultancy period.

Intellectual Property (IP)

All outputs, deliverables, research data, reports, analyses, and other materials produced during the consultancy shall be the exclusive property of Athena Infonomics. The consultant is expected to submit all original copies of work delivered as part of this engagement and comply with Athena Infonomics data destruction policy. The consultant is not permitted to use, reproduce, or publish any materials derived from the engagement without Athena Infonomics prior written approval.

Data Protection & Security

The consultant is expected to handle data (either collected during field research or provided by Athena Infonomics) securely, with appropriate safeguards to prevent unauthorized access, loss, or misuse. Upon completion of the consultancy, the consultant shall return or securely delete all confidential and project-related materials as directed by Athena Infonomics.

If you love solving problems, designing thoughtfully, and seeing your work come to life, we'd love to hear from you.

Athena Infonomics is an Equal Opportunities Employer

Athena Infonomics is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.