Job Description:
Job Description – State Executive Officer – Maharashtra
Organization Background
RightWalk Foundation (RWF) is a leading organization dedicated to addressing poverty and inequality by activating transformative social policies end to end. Our approach focuses on Policy Advocacy, System Design, Capacity Building and Efficient Delivery by engaging with System Leadership, Lawmakers and Communities. We have played instrumental role in unlocking several policies including RTE 12.1.(c) in the state of Uttar Pradesh directly impacting over 950,000 children from economically weaker section and disadvantaged group across 75 districts and 28,000 schools in UP. We have also played crucial role in activating Aprenticeship policy in several states in India, thereby enabling over 1, 20,000 youths find skilling and employment opportunities.
The Founder & CEO of RightWalk Foundation, is a distinguished Alumni Award recipient from IIM Bengaluru, Mulago - Rainer Fellow, UK Chevening Fellow, Ashoka Fellow, Acumen Fellow, and winner of WTI Award by NITI Aayog & United Nations
Programs Overview:
This high-impact Programss initiative is being implemented in close partnership with the State Government, aimed at enhancing youth employability through structured, market-linked, "earn while you learn" opportunities. The Programs aspires to impact 20,000 to 50,000 youth from vulnerable communities and is recognized among the top three priority schemes of the Chief Minister’s Office. As such, the Programs is under close government and public scrutiny—offering a unique opportunity to co-lead a public policy implementation strategy that shapes the future of the State’s youth workforce.
Role Purpose
The State Executive Officer will be a strategic anchor in leading the end-to-end implementation of the Programs at the state level. Reporting to the Director – Programs & Operations, the role entails Programs design, policy advocacy, cross-sector stakeholder engagement, and institutional strengthening, ensuring seamless delivery, scalable impact, and systemic reform. This is a pivotal leadership role designed for professionals who thrive in mission-driven work and are skilled at influencing change within government systems.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Strategic Leadership & Programs Design
- Formulate and execute a state-wide strategic roadmap aligned with broader public policy priorities and Programs objectives.
- Lead the co-creation of multi-year implementation and scale-up plans in coordination with State Government, donors, and internal leadership.
- Develop a robust M&E framework to measure outcomes, identify gaps, and inform adaptive strategy.
- Embed a strong governance structure that fosters institutional accountability and government ownership.
2. Government & Policy Engagement
- Serve as the primary liaison with senior bureaucratic leadership including Principal Secretaries, Directors, and the Chief Minister’s Office.
- Shape and support state-level policy reforms on Programs and workforce development.
- Provide technical inputs, data-driven insights, and policy briefs to inform strategic decisions.
- Represent the programs in high-level government reviews, interdepartmental meetings, and public forums.
3. Operations & Programs Delivery
- Ensure seamless operational execution across field units, training providers, and employer networks.
- Lead development of SOPs, operational dashboards, and quality assurance protocols to enhance implementation rigor.
- Manage risk, troubleshoot field-level challenges, and ensure adaptive responses.
- Oversee budget planning, financial tracking, and compliance across Programs units.
4. Stakeholder Management & Donor Engagement
- Build strategic partnerships with industry bodies, employers, donors, community organizations, and implementation partners.
- Drive sustained employer engagement to ensure job placements and industry integration.
- Lead donor reporting, proposal development, and impact communication strategies to enhance Programs visibility and funding.
5. Talent Development & Capacity Building
- Recruit, mentor, and lead a high-performing, multi-disciplinary team across geographies.
- Drive a culture of learning, ownership, and excellence, with strong systems for performance management.
- Design and implement capacity-building initiatives for internal teams and government functionaries.
6. Growth, Innovation & Systems Thinking
- Identify and pursue opportunities for Programs scale-up across other states or ministries, aligned with central government priorities.
- Pilot innovative approaches in training, technology integration, and employment linkage.
- Conduct policy research and generate learnings to contribute to thought leadership and sector knowledge.
Qualifications & Experience:
- Postgraduate in Public Policy, Management, Social Sciences, or Development Studies.
- 10–15 years of experience in Programs strategy, government engagement, and public sector Programs delivery.
- Minimum 3–5 years in a strategic leadership role driving outcomes at scale.
- Experience working with or within State/Central Government systems is highly preferred.
- Proven expertise in stakeholder management, policy advocacy, operational execution, and people leadership.
- Strong analytical, communication, and decision-making skills with experience in data-driven governance.
Desired Attributes:
- Strategic Mindset: Ability to envision long-term impact pathways and translate vision into action.
- Government Savvy: Deep understanding of public administration and political economy of reforms.
- Collaborative Leadership: Capacity to lead diverse teams and build trust-based relationships with stakeholders.
- Results-Oriented: High accountability to goals, timelines, and systemic transformation.
- Adaptability & Resilience: Operates effectively in dynamic, complex, and high-stakes environments.
- Mission Alignment: Deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and youth empowerment.
Why This Role Matters:
This is not just a job—it’s a chance to catalyze structural change, drive policy implementation from the front lines, and influence the life outcomes of thousands of young people. You will be working at the intersection of government systems, grassroots realities, and employment ecosystems, leading a Programs that is both challenging and profoundly rewarding.
Job Mode:
Onsite
I agree to the Terms and Conditions
(Click Here to read Terms and Conditions)
Please read the Data Retention Policy and Terms and Conditions. It is mandatory to accept Terms and Conditions, and Data Retention Policy, in order to apply for this position
