Programme Associate The STEP Foundation

Theconvergencefoundation; New Delhi; On-site; INR 669,600 - 1,004,400; Full time

Job summary

STEP Foundation seeks a short-term consultant for 3–4 months in New Delhi to support apprenticeship and experience-based learning initiatives. You will conduct research, field assessments, and coordinate with government bodies, industry partners, and training institutions, contributing to evidence-based policy and programme design.

The role blends research with on-ground implementation, requiring strong analytical skills, stakeholder engagement, and readiness to travel for fieldwork.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of relevant work experience in consulting, public policy, development, livelihoods, skilling, or programme implementation.
• Master's degree in Public Policy, Economics, Development Studies, Management, Social Sciences, or a related field (preferred).
• Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear and structured presentations and reports.
• Comfortable engaging with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, industry representatives, and implementation partners.
• Willingness to travel for fieldwork as required.
• Demonstrated interest in skilling, apprenticeships, labour markets, or workforce development is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Policy Research & Analysis: Conduct research on apprenticeship reforms, skilling systems, labour markets, and workforce development. Prepare policy briefs, presentations, concept notes, and analytical outputs.
• Ecosystem & Stakeholder Mapping: Map government, industry, employer, training provider, and district-level skilling ecosystems. Collect and organize information on industry demand, labour market dynamics, and implementation challenges.
• Evidence Generation & Insights: Support field visits, stakeholder consultations, interviews, and labour market assessments. Synthesise qualitative and quantitative data into findings and recommendations.
• Support the planning and implementation of apprenticeship and labour market pilots. Assist in coordinating with government officials, employers, industry associations, and implementation partners. Prepare implementation trackers, field tools, and operational documentation.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Coordination: Coordinate meetings, workshops, consultations, and stakeholder follow-ups. Prepare agendas, briefing notes, presentations, and minutes.
• Monitoring, Documentation & Knowledge Management: Track project timelines, deliverables, pilot progress, and implementation updates. Document learnings, case studies, and best practices for reporting and knowledge sharing.

Skills

Policy research

Stakeholder engagement

Data analysis

Policy briefs

Education

Master's degree

Job description

Location

New Delhi (with travel to project districts as required)

Duration

3–4 months (Full-time opportunity may be offered based on performance.)

About STEP Foundation

STEP Foundation works at the intersection of livelihoods, skilling, and systems strengthening to improve pathways to employment and economic opportunity. Through research, field engagement, and institutional partnerships, STEP supports the design and implementation of grounded, scalable workforce development solutions.

About the Role

The short-term consultant will support STEP Foundation's work on apprenticeship and experience based learning vertical. Working closely with the project team, the consultant will contribute to research, field assessments, stakeholder coordination, and implementation support across engagements with central and state governments, industry partners, and training institutions.

This role is well suited for individuals who enjoy combining research with on-ground implementation and are interested in contributing to evidence-based policy and programme design in the skilling ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities

Policy Research & Analysis

Conduct research on apprenticeship reforms, skilling systems, labour markets, and workforce development. Prepare policy briefs, presentations, concept notes, and analytical outputs

Ecosystem & Stakeholder Mapping

Map government, industry, employer, training provider, and district-level skilling ecosystems. Collect and organize information on industry demand, labour market dynamics, and implementation challenges

Evidence Generation & Insights

Support field visits, stakeholder consultations, interviews, and labour market assessments. Synthesise qualitative and quantitative data into findings and recommendations.

Support the planning and implementation of apprenticeship and labour market pilots. Assist in coordinating with government officials, employers, industry associations, and implementation partners. Prepare implementation trackers, field tools, and operational documentation.

Stakeholder Engagement & Coordination

Coordinate meetings, workshops, consultations, and stakeholder follow-ups. Prepare agendas, briefing notes, presentations, and minutes.

Monitoring, Documentation & Knowledge Management

Track project timelines, deliverables, pilot progress, and implementation updates. Document learnings, case studies, and best practices for reporting and knowledge sharing

Desired Profile

• 1–3 years of relevant work experience in consulting, public policy, development, livelihoods, skilling, or programme implementation.
• Master's degree in Public Policy, Economics, Development Studies, Management, Social Sciences, or a related field (preferred).
• Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear and structured presentations and reports.
• Comfortable engaging with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, industry representatives, and implementation partners.
• Willingness to travel for fieldwork as required.
• Demonstrated interest in skilling, apprenticeships, labour markets, or workforce development is an advantage.

Compensation

Competitive, based on qualifications and experience

Reporting

The consultant will report to the Senior Program Manager, STEP Foundation