Lead - Public Policy

BIG City Green Residency; New Delhi; On-site; INR 1,800,000 - 3,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible leave and vacation policy

Remote / hybrid work options

Insurance as per industry standards

Access to leaders in technology and社会

Job summary

Karya is seeking a Lead - Public Policy to advance engagement with Central and State Governments, policymakers, think tanks and other ecosystem stakeholders. The role blends research and hands-on execution in a fast-moving environment, requiring structured delivery across multiple priorities.

You will work with the Head of Public Policy & Government Engagement to shape engagement strategies, draft policy materials, coordinate multi-stakeholder projects and manage government partnerships.

Qualifications

• 2-4 years of relevant experience in public policy, government affairs, think tanks, policy consulting, research organisations, technology firms or related fields.
• Strong research and analytical abilities across policy, economics, technology and/or legal issues.
• Excellent written communication skills for concise, persuasive policy materials for senior audiences.
• Strong stakeholder-management and interpersonal skills for government officials and external partners.
• Ability to independently manage projects from concept to execution.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple priorities.
• Willingness to travel domestically as required.

Responsibilities

• Government & Stakeholder Engagement: build relationships with Central and State Governments, prepare stakeholder briefings and track engagements.
• Policy Research, Analysis & Writing: conduct high-quality policy research, translate complex issues into clear analysis, draft policy positions and briefing notes.
• Government Partnerships & Project Management: support partnerships from scoping to implementation, manage timelines and deliverables, coordinate across teams.
• Policy Operations & Administration: maintain databases, meeting records, proposals, and budgets; ensure smooth policy operations.
• What We Are Looking For: demonstrate independent project management, analytical ability, and strong communication across domains.

Education

Degree in Public Policy, Economics, Law, Political Science, Public Administration, International Relations, Technology Policy or related field

Job description

Karya s mission is to leverage the AI revolution to create dignified earning and learning opportunities for low-income communities across the world. In India, our smartphone-based digital work platform has enabled over 120,000 people to build language datasets and evaluate AI models while earning fair wages. With pilots in Kenya and Ethiopia and partnerships with leading AI labs, we are advancing language technologies for underrepresented communities. By combining dignified digital work with frontier AI innovation, Karya hopes to build a new AI economy that is equitable, inclusive, and community driven.

As Karyas engagement with governments and the broader policy ecosystem grows, we are looking for a Lead - Public Policy to support and drive our work across government engagement, policy research, strategic partnerships and programme execution.

About the Role

The Lead - Public Policy will work closely with the Head of Public Policy & Government Engagement to advance Karyas engagement with Central and State Governments, policymakers, public institutions, think tanks and other ecosystem stakeholders.

This is a hands‑on role for someone who enjoys moving between research and execution. The person should be comfortable working in a fast-moving environment, independently driving workstreams, and bringing structure and follow-through to multiple parallel priorities.

Key Responsibilities

Government & Stakeholder Engagement

• Manage and strengthen relationships with relevant stakeholders across Central and State Governments, government institutions and the broader policy ecosystem.
• Support the development and execution of stakeholder engagement strategies across Karyas priority areas.
• Prepare for government meetings, including stakeholder research, briefing notes, talking points, presentations and meeting agendas.
• Maintain systematic follow‑up on government engagements and identify opportunities to deepen existing relationships and build new ones.
• Track relevant government priorities, programmes, consultations and institutional developments that may create opportunities or implications for Karya.

Policy Research, Analysis & Writing

• Conduct high‑quality research across public policy, economics, technology and legal/regulatory issues, particularly at the intersections of these areas.
• Monitor and analyse developments in AI and emerging technology policy, digital public infrastructure, data, inclusion and other areas relevant to Karyas work.
• Translate complex policy and technical issues into clear, concise and decision-useful analysis.
• Draft policy positions, consultation responses, briefing notes, concept notes, proposals, presentations and other materials for government and external stakeholders.
• Develop evidence-backed recommendations on issues relevant to Karya and communicate them effectively to senior stakeholders.

Government Partnerships & Project Management

• Support government partnerships from initial engagement and scoping through proposal development, coordination and implementation.
• Manage defined government and policy workstreams, ensuring clear timelines, ownership, deliverables and follow‑ups.
• Coordinate across Karyas internal teams and external stakeholders to move projects forward and resolve bottlenecks.
• Support the development of meaningful partnerships with government institutions, think tanks, industry bodies, civil society organisations and other ecosystem actors.
• Track commitments, milestones and outcomes across active government engagements and flag risks or delays early.

Policy Operations & Administration

• Bring strong operational discipline to the Public Policy & Government Engagement function.
• Maintain stakeholder databases, government engagement trackers, opportunity pipelines, meeting records and other internal documentation.
• Coordinate meeting schedules, correspondence, follow‑ups and documentation associated with external engagements.
• Support preparation and submission of government proposals, EOIs/RFPs, consultation responses and other institutional requirements.
• Support logistics and coordination for government meetings, roundtables, conferences, stakeholder visits and other convenings.
• Assist with budgets, approvals, documentation and other administrative requirements of the function.
• Take ownership of the day‑to‑day operational requirements necessary to ensure the policy function runs smoothly and commitments are followed through.

What We Are Looking For

• 2-4 years of relevant professional experience in public policy, government affairs, a think tank, policy consulting, research organisation, technology company, government‑facing organisation or a related field.
• Strong research and analytical ability, with demonstrated comfort working across policy, economics, technology and/or legal issues.
• Excellent written communication skills and the ability to produce clear, concise and persuasive policy materials for senior audiences.
• Strong stakeholder‑management and interpersonal skills, including comfort engaging with government officials and external partners.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage projects and take work from an initial idea through execution.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage several priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to understand relatively technical subjects and translate them for non‑technical policy and government audiences.
• Sound judgement and discretion when dealing with sensitive external relationships and information.
• A proactive, ownership-oriented approach.
• Willingness to travel domestically as required.

Preferred Background

Candidates may come from a range of backgrounds. We would particularly value:

• Experience working with or engaging Central or State Government stakeholders.
• Exposure to technology/AI policy, digital governance, development policy, economics, law or public‑sector programmes.
• Experience drafting policy submissions, government proposals, research reports or senior‑level briefing materials.
• Experience coordinating multi‑stakeholder projects or partnerships.
• A degree in public policy, economics, law, political science, public administration, international relations, technology policy or a related field.

What we Offer

• Flexible leave and vacation policy
• Remote / hybrid work options
• Insurance as per industry standards
• Access to leaders in technology and social impact
• Meaningful work at the intersection of AI, design, and equity

Karya celebrates diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected status.