Job Opportunity for (Senior) Associate – Policy at Foundation for Advancing Science and Technology (FAST India) in New Delhi, India

## Job Description – (Senior) Associate – Policy

**About The Convergence Foundation (TCF)**

The Convergence Foundation (TCF) is a grant-making incubator, run by philanthropist Ashish Dhawan, which builds and scales new foundations in key areas of India’s development sector. TCF is dedicated to catalyzing India’s journey to becoming a top 3 Science and Technology (S&T) nation. We work with government, research institutions, and industry to identify systemic challenges and develop policy solutions and best practices to address them. 

**Position Name:** (Senior) Associate – Policy

**Location:** New Delhi, India

**Organization Name:** Foundation for Advancing Science and Technology (FAST India)

**Experience Required:** 1 to 4 years of work experience in a challenging/high growth environment.

**Job Description:**

We are seeking an exceptional Program Associate (PA) / Sr. Program Associate (SPA) to join our team at an exciting time of organizational growth and development. This role will require working closely with the organization leaders, across all verticals of FAST India, to place India at the forefront of global innovation through the creation of science and technology research and its translation into social and commercial applications. 

**Key Responsibilities:**

* Assist with the framing of policies, structures, and processes that help bring efficiency in scientific R&D financing and dismantling regulatory barriers to innovation and science entrepreneurship in India.

* Support the leadership team with research and insight, recommending an appropriate approach for diverse policy questions.

* Engage in primary and secondary research, speak with experts and synthesize data from multiple data points.

* Develop and help implement programs and projects with institutions in the ecosystem, private sector, and consolidate best practice for change.

* Take on diverse operational tasks to ensure organizational success.

* Assist the leadership team with creating and maintaining deep engagement with top leaders, funders and experts.

* Aid the development and implementation of capacity building programs by primarily engaging with institutions, companies and quasi-governmental bodies.

* Work closely with the India Science Festival team to make it the leading science event in India and the world.

**Required Qualifications, Skills and Abilities:**

* Postgraduate or Undergraduate degree in a relevant subject from a top tier institution. While there is no preference for a particular major, we expect to see high degree of intellectual curiosity, sophistication and execution rigor.

* 1 to 4 years years of work experience in a challenging/high growth environment.

* Entrepreneurial self-starter, passion for science and technology, and desire to develop and strengthen the science ecosystem in India.

* High intellectual vitality, the desire to continuously learn, read, and engage on a variety of topics. While the person may only have a basic understanding of science and technology, we highly value the willingness to learn.

* Excellent analytical, critical thinking, planning and organizational skills with high attention to detail, accuracy, professionalism, and deadlines.

* Strong communication, writing, interpersonal, and stakeholder-facing skills including great presentation and facilitation skills.

**Desired Qualities:**

* Drive to excel in every aspect of work with high level of innovation and strong perseverance.

* Ability to take initiative and develop solutions quickly and effectively.

* Ability to understand and consider organizational culture and change.

* Ability to function and interact in a professional level capacity to sustain the mission, culture and best interests of the organization.

* Ability to adapt and exhibit confidence in a highly evolving, agile, and fast paced work environment.

* High level of discretion in maintaining confidentiality of sensitive materials and issues.

* Operating style suited to working in a small-organization setting, where teamwork and resourcefulness are highly valued.

**Remuneration:**

Remuneration will be competitive with Indian philanthropy pay scales and with organizations working with a similar mandate.