Pahle India Foundation (PIF), headed by Chairperson, Dr Rajiv Kumar, former Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, is inviting applications as per following vacancies.
Call for Applications at Pahle India Foundation
Lead - Public Policy & Government Engagement, Mumbai
About the Role
Pahle India Foundation (PIF) is looking for a senior professional to lead its public policy and government engagement work from our Mumbai office. This is a senior, stakeholder-facing role responsible for building PIF’s relationships with the Government of Maharashtra, urban local bodies and Mumbai’s wider policy ecosystem, and for translating PIF’s research into policy outcomes and government mandates in the state.
Pahle India Foundation (PIF) is looking for a senior professional to lead its public policy and government engagement work from our Mumbai office. This is a senior, stakeholder-facing role responsible for building PIF’s relationships with the Government of Maharashtra, urban local bodies and Mumbai’s wider policy ecosystem, and for translating PIF’s research into policy outcomes and government mandates in the state.
The ideal candidate brings deep experience of Maharashtra’s governance and policy processes, a strong network at senior levels of government, and fluency in Marathi.
Key Responsibilities
Government Engagement & Stakeholder Management
- Build and maintain working relationships with Ministers, senior bureaucrats and departmental secretaries in the Government of Maharashtra, BMC and other urban local bodies.
- Represent PIF in government meetings, consultations, committees and task forces.
- Track the state’s policy, budget and legislative developments and brief PIF leadership on opportunities and risks.
Policy Research & Advisory
- Identify state-level policy priorities where PIF’s research can add value, and shape them into research and advisory proposals.
- Lead policy papers, briefs, submissions and implementation roadmaps for state departments.
- Translate research findings into concise, actionable recommendations for decision-makers.
Partnerships & Mandate Development
- Develop a pipeline of government mandates, MoUs and knowledge partnerships in Maharashtra and western India.
- Prepare proposals, concept notes and budgets in coordination with PIF verticals and Finance.
- Build partnerships with industry bodies, academic institutions, multilaterals and civil society organisations based in Mumbai.
Thought Leadership & Outreach
- Convene roundtables, policy dialogues and conferences in Mumbai, in collaboration with the Communications & Partnerships team.
- Represent PIF at external forums and engage with media on state policy issues.
Senior Lead / Lead - Public Policy & Corporate Outreach, New Delhi
Pahle India Foundation (PIF) is looking for two experienced professionals to join us as a Public Policy and Corporate Engagement Lead. This is a senior, field-facing role responsible for managing existing partners with attention and growing PIF’s network of corporate and institutional partners. In addition to this you will be responsible for translating partnerships into funded projects. You will have the chance to build
deep sectoral expertise on the policy and regulatory issues that shape partnership opportunities. The ideal candidate combines a strong public policy grounding with an instinct for business development, partnerships, and outreach, and is comfortable spending time out in the field engaging with corporate and government stakeholders.
deep sectoral expertise on the policy and regulatory issues that shape partnership opportunities. The ideal candidate combines a strong public policy grounding with an instinct for business development, partnerships, and outreach, and is comfortable spending time out in the field engaging with corporate and government stakeholders.
Location: New Delhi
Key Responsibilities:
Partnership & Relationship Management
- Manage and deepen relationships with PIF’s existing corporate donors, funders, and institutional partners.
- Serve as the primary relationship owner for assigned accounts, ensuring consistent engagement and satisfaction.
Aligned Partnership Acquisition
- Identify and pursue new partnership opportunities aligned with PIF’s mission and sectoral priorities.
- Proactively reach out to and build relationships with prospective corporate and institutional
partners.
Policy & Regulatory Acumen
- Maintain a strong, current understanding of policy and regulatory developments relevant to
assigned sectors. - Apply policy insight to identify partnership angles, risks, and opportunities for PIF and its partners.
Partnership-to-Project Translation
- Convert partnership relationships into concrete, funded projects — shaping proposals, negotiating scope and terms, and closing agreements.
- Work closely with internal teams to ensure funded projects are well-designed and deliverable.
Sectoral Knowledge Leadership
- Develop deep, sustained expertise in the policy and regulatory landscape of the assigned sector(s).
- Track emerging policy challenges and regulatory shifts, and position PIF as an informed, credible partner.
- Represent PIF at external forums, meetings, and events relevant to the sector.
Communications & Public Relations (PR) Manager , New Delhi
About Pahlé India Foundation
Pahlé India Foundation (PIF) is a public policy think-and-action tank working at the intersection of research, policy implementation, and partnerships to advance India’s inclusive development agenda. PIF collaborates with government, industry, philanthropy, and knowledge partners to design evidence-based solutions aligned with the vision of a Viksit Bharat. For more information, visit pahleindia.org.
Role Overview
PIF is seeking a Communications & PR Manager with 6–8 years of experience to lead the planning and execution of the Foundation’s events, conferences, launches, and roundtables, and to build strong, lasting relationships with the media. The role will also involve raising PIF’s visibility, communicating new research, and standardising posting schedules. It will focus on English-language business, economy, trade, and commerce media, both national and international, to expand the reach and visibility of PIF’s research and policy work.
This is a field-facing role. The candidate will spend a few days every week out in the field across Delhi, meeting journalists, visiting press clubs and media houses, and representing PIF within the media community, while also managing PIF’s events from concept to completion. The role also involves periodic travel to Mumbai to build relationships with business and financial media.
Key Responsibilities
Media Relations & Outreach
- Build and maintain a strong network of journalists, editors, and columnists across English-language business, economy, trade, and commerce media, both national and international.
- Spend a few days every week in the field meeting journalists, visiting press clubs and media houses, and cultivating relationships with foreign correspondents based in Delhi.
- Pitch PIF’s research, reports, and experts for news coverage, interviews, op-eds, and expert commentary.
- Draft and distribute press releases, media advisories, and briefing notes.
- Maintain an up-to-date media database and a record of all media interactions.
Event Planning & Management
- Conceptualise, plan, and execute PIF events, including conferences, roundtables, report launches, panel discussions, and press conferences.
- Manage end-to-end event logistics, including venues, vendors, budgets, timelines, invitations, guest lists, and on-ground coordination.
- Coordinate with senior government officials, industry leaders, speakers, and partners, ensuring appropriate protocol is followed.
- Secure media presence and coverage for PIF events.
Media Monitoring & Reporting
- Track and compile media coverage of PIF, its leadership, and its work.
- Prepare regular media monitoring reports and post-event reports with outcomes and learnings.
- Monitor news in PIF’s areas of work to identify timely opportunities for comment and engagement.
Communications
- Draft concept notes, one-pagers, presentations, and correspondence for partners and funders.
- Support the development of clear, polished written and visual communication material for external audiences.
- Coordinate with the communications team to ensure consistent messaging and branding across media and events.
- Manage PIF’s social media presence, including maintaining a standardised posting schedule and promoting new research across platforms.
- Support leadership’s media engagements through interview preparation and briefing material.
- Work closely with research teams to identify newsworthy insights and translate them into media-friendly messaging.
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Mass Communication, Public Relations, Communications, Economics, or a related discipline; a Master’s degree is preferred.
- 6–8 years of relevant experience in media relations and events management, preferably with a think tank, policy organisation, PR agency, business media outlet, or corporate communications function.
- An established network of contacts in English-language business and economic media, both national and international.
- Proven track record of managing high-profile events with senior stakeholders.