State Lead and Skill Development Expert

Job highlights

• Masters degree or higher in Public Policy,Economics,Development Studies,Business Administration,or a related field
• As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive,the specialist may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities as determined by the senior leadership
• . Qualification Experience . Educational Background

IPE Global's Social and Economic Empowerment practice works towards building girl capital, empowering women and nurturing resilient communities by creating inclusive and sustainable solutions, including but not limited to policy development, capacity building, adaptive management, community mobilisation, behaviour change communication, deepening social safety nets, beneficiary feedback analysis, poverty assessment, and evidence-based monitoring.

To build its portfolio of work in the girl capital domain in Gujarat, IPE Global is hiring a State Lead and Skill Development Expert to anchor the design, execution, and monitoring of a multi-stakeholder program focused on increasing female labour force participation (FLFP) in paid employment. This will require collaborating with diverse stakeholders, including government bodies, private sector companies, and community organisations.

Key Responsibilities

1. Programme Strategy, Planning and Execution

Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive strategy for enhancing female labour force participation (FLFP) in paid jobs in Gujarat, focusing on high-potential sectors and underserved geographies with a particular focus on young women.

Oversee on-ground implementation of interventions spanning skill development, career counselling, safe mobility, workplace readiness, and social protection.

Lead the review of existing enabling infrastructure, such as working women's hostels, etc., and develop strategies to create additional infrastructure to boost FLFP.

Align activities with existing state-level policies and schemes related to women and women-led development.

Monitor and evaluate the progress and impact of the programme using key performance indicators (KPIs), adjusting strategies as needed based on evidence and feedback.

2. Partnership Management

Work collaboratively with relevant state departments, private businesses, industry associations, development partners and other implementation partners in the state.

Work closely with policymakers to support evidence-guided policy frameworks that promote young women's economic empowerment and employment opportunities.

Collaborate with the private sector for gender-responsive skilling, apprenticeships, and job creation, leveraging CSR funds and ESG priorities.

3. Leadership and Team Management

Lead a multidisciplinary team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability.

Provide technical mentorship and build team capacity for effectively delivering programme objectives.

Coordinate and collaborate with the national WEE team to ensure alignment.

Prepare policy briefs, reports, and research papers to support engagement efforts and contribute to public discourse on FLFP.

As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the specialist may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities as determined by the senior leadership.

Qualification Experience

Educational Background

Master's degree or higher in Public Policy, Economics, Development Studies, Business Administration, or a related field.

Work Experience:

10-15 years of experience in leading programmes or projects focused on skill development, employment generation, women's economic empowerment, or labour market development in India

Strong understanding of the socio-cultural, economic, and policy-related factors affecting female labour force participation in paid jobs in India and Gujarat, with experience in addressing these through actionable interventions.

Proven track record of engaging with state departments and the private sector to strengthen female labour force participation, preferably in Gujarat.

Technical Expertise:

Deep knowledge of the drivers of low FLFP, such as gender norms, access to education and skill development, childcare, workplace conditions, and social security frameworks.

Proven expertise in skill ecosystem design, curriculum localisation, and demand-driven training models, particularly on aspirational jobs.

Familiarity with national and state skilling programs as well as regulatory frameworks (e.g., NSDC, NCVET, MSDE guidelines), PPP modalities, blended finance tools, and government procurement rules relevant to skilling and infrastructure.

Key Skills and Competencies

Strategic Leadership: Demonstrated capacity to lead complex, multi-stakeholder programmes at scale.

Analytical Thinking: Strong data interpretation skills, research, and evidence-based decision-making.

Communication and Negotiation: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills; ability to engage and persuade diverse stakeholders.

Team Building: Ability to lead and inspire a multidisciplinary team, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation.

Our commitments

We offer competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package.

We are committed to diversity in our workforce and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

You will work with sector experts and understand how people-centred policies can be created and effectively implemented.

With us, you will master framing narratives and counterpoints and pace storytelling for internal and external stakeholders.

We offer a space for you to grow, think innovatively, and shed unconscious biases while learning more about diverse cultures