Job Description:
Position: Program Associate, Technical Support Unit (TSU)
Location: Bhubaneswar
About The Udaiti Foundation
The Udaiti Foundation (TUF) is a not-for-profit organisation working on advancing Womens Economic Empowerment (WEE) in India. Our focus is on improving the availability and accessibility of quality work for women, engaging the private sector to address demand side barriers to womens work and entrepreneurship, and creating enablers that can allow for the WEE ecosystem to engage in proven models for creating impact.
The Udaiti Foundation is a portfolio organisation under The Convergence Foundation (TCF) and is backed by Ashish Dhawan, a private equity investor turned philanthropist and founder of TCF. Udaiti is supported by an eminent panel of advisors that comprises Sri Ranjan (Former Chairperson - Bain & Co.), Dr. Sekhar Bono (Former Director, NITI Aayog & ADB), Manisha Dhawan (Trustee, The Convergence Foundation), Prof. Ashwini Deshpande (Founding Director, CEDA, Ashoka University), Shaveta Sharma-Kukreja (MD, Central Square Foundation) and Megha Chawla (Partner, Bain & Co).
About the Project and Technical Support Unit
Odisha, one of Indias fastest-growing states, is ambitiously striving to achieve a $500 billion economy by 2036, leveraging its rich mineral resources, strategic geographic location, and dynamic policy initiatives. The state has been focusing on industrialization, with substantial investments in steel, aluminum, and downstream manufacturing sectors. It is also advancing in renewable energy, IT, and tourism to diversify its economic base. The governments proactive measures, such as single-window clearances for businesses, infrastructure development, and skill training programs, are designed to attract global investors and enhance local employment. Additionally, Odisha's focus on inclusive growth through welfare schemes and self-help group empowerment ensures that economic benefits percolate to all sections of society, setting a benchmark for sustainable and equitable growth.
With such enabling circumstances being in place, it is pertinent to unlock the States womens economic potential to contribute optimally to the State's $500 billion economy goal.
To realise this potential, The Udaiti Foundation is setting up a WEE Technical Support Unit under the Department of Women & Child, Odisha. This unit shall provide strategic support to advance the WEE agenda in the State and accelerate meaningful participation of women in the workforce, and also ensure alignment with the $500 billion economy vision.
The work of this unit encompasses:
Articulation of the States WEE strategy and goals based on a mapping of WEE landscape using data analytics and expert consultations
Alignment of WEEs interventions with the States ambitious economic agenda
Enabling policy and regulatory frameworks for womens empowerment
Developing and deploying monitoring systems for tracking progress at the State and district level
Creating a district model in a few lighthouse districts to deliver accelerated WEE outcomes and encourage adoption of interventions
Position Summary
We are looking to hire an exceptional Program Associate (PA) for this Technical Support Unit. The role would be based out of Bhubaneswar and will entail frequent travel within Odisha.
This unit, anchored at the Department of WCD, will work closely with multiple state government departments that have a bearing on the WEE agenda. The PA would support the team in creation of collaterals and data analysis that will facilitate liaising between the Departments (such D/o Women & Child Welfare, D/o Mission Shakti, D/o Industries & Enterprise Promotion, D/o Labour & Employment, D/o Urban Development, etc.).
The key responsibility of the PA would include (but not be limited to):
Manage the work related to project documentation, including creation of project reports, outreach documents as well as support the team in convening of stakeholder meetings
Coordinate with the nodal officials from the Department on a regular basis on the TSU related tasks
Conduct research and analysis work for various work streams undertaken by the TSU
Support the team in creation of knowledge products and project collaterals
This role is highly entrepreneurial and a great opportunity to work closely in a leadership role within the government in a high-paced environment.
Required Qualification, Skills & Abilities:
Bachelor or Masters degree in relevant fields, including development sector management, economics, public administration, public policy, social work or gender studies
1-3 years of work experience in a challenging/high growth environment; prior experience of working with government is preferable
Knowledge of Google workspace/G-suite
Demonstrated ability to prepare structured documents and project collaterals such as reports, concept notes, project briefings, meeting/field notes, progress reports, etc.
Strong communication, writing, interpersonal, and stakeholder-management skills
Proficiency required in Odia language (spoken, written and reading skills)
Remuneration
Remuneration will be competitive with Indian philanthropy pay scales and with organisations working with a similar mandate.
For any queries, please contact: hiring@theconvergencefoundation.org