Lead - Government Engagement & Advisory

Job description

Location: India (Hybrid, with travel across states) Experience: 15–20+ years Reports to: Co-CEO Compensation: Competitive, commensurate with experience About Ek Kutumb Ek Kutumb is a research organisation working to strengthen the legitimacy and adoption of climate action in India. We conduct deep, values-based research to understand how people think about responsibility, development, fairness, and change — moving beyond surface opinions to uncover enduring value systems that shape behaviour and public acceptance. We translate this research into human intelligence for institutions — supporting governments and other systems-shaping actors in designing climate policies, programs, and investments that are socially grounded, politically viable, and realistically implementable. About the Role The Lead – Government Engagement & Advisory will anchor Ek Kutumb’s senior engagement with state governments and other institutions that shape policy, capital allocation, and large-scale program design. This role combines institutional relationship-building with substantive advisory leadership. You will work at the intersection of policy substance and citizen intelligence — integrating Ek Kutumb’s research into high-level decision-making processes, stress-testing institutional assumptions, and strengthening the social and political grounding of climate action across states. As a member of the senior management team, you will help shape Ek Kutumb’s advisory philosophy and long-term institutional trajectory. Key Responsibilities 1. Government & Institutional Engagement Build and sustain trusted relationships with state-level departments, climate cells and senior public officials Engage other systems-focused actors influencing policy, investments, and programs Position Ek Kutumb as a credible, non-advocacy strategic intelligence partner Navigate political and institutional contexts with discretion and maturity 2. Lead 1:1 Advisory Work Shape and lead senior-level advisory engagements Integrate citizen intelligence into policy design and institutional decision moments Strengthen policy grounding, feasibility, and adoption alignment Co-develop structured outputs that enhance institutional clarity and implementation realism 3. Build Advisory Capability Across States Build and mentor a small advisory team to support multi-state engagements Refine Ek Kutumb’s operating model for government and institutional advisory Ensure advisory work remains rigorous, politically aware, and grounded in research Feed lessons from advisory engagements back into research and strategy Ideal Profile We are seeking a senior professional with 15–20+ years of experience operating within or closely alongside public institutions. You may have: Served in state government (e.g., former IAS or equivalent senior leadership roles) Held senior positions in public policy or governance-focused think tanks Led public sector advisory engagements within consulting or multilateral institutions Worked at the intersection of climate, development, and institutional reform You bring: Deep understanding of how state governments function in practice Credibility with senior public officials Strong judgement in politically sensitive environments Experience shaping policy or institutional decisions at scale Ability to build and lead small, high-quality teams A serious commitment to strengthening public decision-making in India