Policy Engagement Manager - Social Protection & Financial Inclusion

Role Overview

We at Arthan are partnering with an impact-focused organization working at the intersection of policy research and poverty alleviation. We are looking for a Policy Engagement Manager to anchor their policy engagement efforts with the Government of Maharashtra.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives at the intersection of public policy research and project implementation, with a strong curiosity to explore cash transfers as a tool for poverty alleviation. The position involves undertaking research to inform and implement key policy offerings aligned with the organizations mission, driving projects with the government, identifying future collaboration opportunities, and building strong relationships with key stakeholders.

The aim is to design innovative, evidence-backed policy pathways through both primary and secondary research, and translate insights into actionable recommendations that drive systems-level shifts. The role requires a solid grounding in social policy, strong research capabilities, and excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.

Key Responsibilities

Policy Research and Analysis

• Undertake primary and secondary research on social policies to build detailed policy offerings aligned with the organization's mission and state priorities

• Analyse data from official sources including policy guidelines, budgets, and reports to derive meaningful insights

• Draft and present policy briefs, concept notes, and presentations tailored to state contexts, supported by relevant evidence

• Build and execute innovative research ideas to analyse, improve, and innovate cash-based policies

Project Management

• Develop an efficient engagement plan for projects with relevant state government entities

• Lead and manage the internal team to execute the project end-to-end

Stakeholder Engagement

• Liaise with bureaucrats and experts in the policy space, jointly with the organizations leadership

• Build and maintain relationships with key academics, researchers, and global experts working on cash transfer mechanisms

• Build internal capacity in public policy research, evaluation, and communication

Qualifications and Experience

• 6-10 years of experience in the development sector working on public policy research, governance projects, or social issues

• Strong policy research skills and prior experience working with government entities in India preferred

• Ability to conduct effective secondary research and data analysis using policy guidelines, budgets, and official documentation

• Familiarity with evaluation frameworks, and experience in primary data collection and analysis is desirable

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex insights to technical and non-technical audiences

• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for developing reports and presentations

• Proven track record of managing diverse teams and multi-stakeholder partnerships, especially with bureaucrats or political leadership

• Ability to navigate complex government systems while upholding values such as dignity, equity, and evidence-based decision-making

• Sound knowledge of Indian social policy and governance issues; experience in cash transfer programs, poverty dynamics, social protection, and field implementation is a strong plus

• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving environment with the ability to adapt to emerging organizational needs

• Willingness to travel for field visits and stakeholder meetings as required