Job Description:
Job Title: Director - Policy and Government Partnership
About The Convergence Foundation 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, 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
We believe that the government is the key actor for system change, and the role of philanthropy is to strategically support the government.
The TCF Network includes 16+ organisations, each committed to addressing specific areas of India'ssocio-economic development, from school education and governance to women's economic empowerment and export competitiveness.
Position Summary
By 2030, we expect TCF to have a deep presence and partnership at national level and with at least 6 large Indian states. In addition we will have periodic knowledge-sharing relationships with additional 6-8 states. The person will lead the foundation's strategic initiatives to partner and support national government, state governments and other key stakeholders in the policy ecosystem. This role involves deep understanding of the government's priorities and agenda, driving awareness of TCF/TCF networks work, establishing credibility by high quality work, and ensuring that TCF/ TCF networks inputs are shared with the decision makers. The person will work closely with the portfolio organisation's CEOs, our internal council of mentors and experts, and other experts to suggest specific reform initiatives focused on rapid, sustained, and inclusive economic growth.
Key responsibilities include:
- Policy reform agenda: Build and implement a robust policy reform agenda that aligns with national priorities. This includes identifying key areas for reform, identifying strategic opportunities to collaborate with government bodies, and preparing background materials to effectively communicate breakthrough ideas to decision-makers.
- Government coordination and support: In special cases, establish and manage small coordination/policy support units to work with government bodies at the highest levels to streamline TCF's efforts and those of its network organisations. These units will facilitate effective support and coordination across various initiatives.
- Strategic relationship management: Develop and manage content-driven relationships with top decision-makers and influencers at both the national and state levels. This involves understanding their priorities and regularly sharing insights and research from TCF and the TCF network.
- Cultivation of TCF Champions: Cultivate a network of TCF champions, including leading industrialists, former administrators, academics, practitioners, and other experts. This informal advisory group will provide guidance on TCF's work in each state, helping to tailor support to the specific context and needs of the region.
Ideal Candidate Profile
Experience
- A proven track record in government, policy, public affairs, or roles with strong government partnerships, with over 20+ years of experience navigating and influencing policies and decisions.
- Demonstrated success in working closely with government bodies at the national and state levels, and a deep understanding of the policy-making process.
Skills
- Ability to master and effectively communicate complex reform ideas focused on economic growth, human capital development, and enhancing government effectiveness.
- Exceptional relationship-building skills, capable of establishing credibility and rapport with senior government officials, stakeholders, and influencers.
- Strong communication and strategic thinking abilities, with a talent for identifying opportunities and "connecting the dots" to drive impactful outcomes.
- Analytical acumen, with the ability to conduct deep dives into complex issues and synthesise actionable insights that inform strategic decisions.
Attributes
- Passionate about TCFs mission and driven to make a measurable impact on India's growth trajectory through policy reform and government engagement.
- Proactive in outreach and relationship management, with a deep understanding of the policy landscape and the dynamics of government partnerships.
- A credible and trustworthy demeanour that fosters respect, confidence, and lasting relationships with diverse stakeholders.