Job Description:
Aikyam works to strengthen Indias institutional response to youth mental health. Founded by Manisha Dhawan, Aikyam partners with governments and education institutions to design, implement, and embed structured, evidence-backed mental health systems that can be sustained over time.
Although psychological distress affects a significant share of college-going youth, most institutions lack the systems required to respond trained personnel, identification protocols, referral pathways, and implementation frameworks. Institutional action remains fragmented, and few models exist for coordinated reform.
Left unaddressed, student distress drives dropout, suicide, and long-term disengagement not only from education, but from employment, health, and civic life. As a response to this, Aikyam works in close partnership with public institutions, higher education bodies, state systems to:
- Diagnose institutional readiness and student mental health needs
- Support the design, scale-up of contextualised and evidence-based interventions
- Develop practical tools, frameworks, and implementation support to enable long-term integration
We are a founding partner of the India Mental Health Alliance (IMHA) and work closely with the Ashoka Centre for Well-being (ACWB) to connect research, policy, and practice. Aikyam is supported by leading institutions in the public and philanthropic sector, and signifies oneness, unity, and identity principles that guide how we work and who we partner with.
Role Overview
The Program Associate will support Aikyams New Initiatives and Partnerships work, focusing on identifying and executing Aikyams strategic priorities and partnerships. This is an early-career role ideal for individuals who are eager to learn, thrive in dynamic environments, and want to grow in the social impact space. You will contribute to research, documentation, analysis, stakeholder outreach, and operations, and gain exposure to how philanthropic initiatives are built from the ground up.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct desk research, compile insights, and support brief writing
- Support stakeholder mapping, communications, and preliminary outreach
- Help organise meetings, track deliverables, and maintain internal systems
- Provide logistical and operational support across the team
What Were Looking For
- 0-2 years of relevant experience
- Strong research, communication (verbal, written), and organisational skills
- High ownership, curiosity, and attention to detail
- A collaborative mindset and willingness to take initiative
- Genuine interest in mental health and institution building
What We Value
- Commitment to social change and equity
- A hands-on, can-do attitude and learning orientation
- Curiosity, humility, and the ability to work in an evolving setup
- Comfort with ambiguity and early-stage processes
- Alignment with Aikyams mission and values
Location & Compensation
Location: Full-time role based in Delhi NCR
Compensation: Competitive with Indian philanthropy sector benchmarks and commensurate with experience