Associate – Strategy and Build - GDI South Asia

Job Description

The Associate role is a unique opportunity to be on the founding team of startups and partnerships focused on social impact. You will work closely with social leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs who are addressing some of the world’s biggest problems. 

Our Associates work across the Strategy & Build team to research, scope, shape, and prioritize the ideas and partners GDI South Asia takes on, as well as further develop initial blueprints into full-blown ventures. This will include supporting current and upcoming initiatives such as Mool Capital. Although you will work closely with Strategy & Build Managers and Directors as supervisors, the Associate is expected to exercise a fair degree of autonomy and initiative.

Note: this role will involve significant external consultations with global stakeholders and will require a work schedule that can periodically accommodate calls slightly earlier or later than usual work hours, despite their time zone. 

Responsibilities

Project Management + Implementation

• Support the translation of strategy blueprint into actionable plans, for example by developing, managing, and directly contributing to work plans and budget management.

• Support founding teams to deliver key components of “Design” and “Build” plans, ranging from early program design, supporting fundraising efforts and piloting to developing organizational infrastructure. 

• Coordinate consultants and/or service providers, including assisting supervisors in preparation, processing, and administration of consultant and technical services contracts/agreements.

• Manage grant budgets and reporting in partnership with the Finance team

• Travel as needed to support implementation, including internationally

Data, MEL, Learning and Communication

• Conduct financial, market, and policy analyses.

• Track risks, issues, stakeholders, and potential funders.

• Support the development and delivery of structured communications, especially reports and presentations.

• Conduct data analysis and research to inform project design and implementation, including by developing compelling data visualizations and collaborating with initiative teams to analyze and interpret data.

Scale-Up and Partnership Development

• Support the development of concept notes and other fundraising materials.

• Review and analyze financial expenditure reports against budgets and donor agreements.

• Collect, organize, and prepare program and financial information for donor progress and internal grant management reports, as well as routine queries.

Strategy Development

• Support Strategy & Build Directors and Managers to execute successful “Discover” and “Discovery” phase work, in which GDI South Asia sources, evaluates, and shapes potential opportunities and concepts for incubation.

• Lead research, quantitative and qualitative analysis, stakeholder mapping, and market landscaping.

• Lead interviews with senior professionals, experts, and other stakeholders.

Support to GDI South Asia

• Brief leadership on a weekly basis as to progress, risks, and issues.

• Participate in bi-weekly and quarterly reviews with the GDI South Asia leadership team, initiative management team, and advisors.

• Support broader knowledge management and dissemination.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate college degree with 3–6 years of relevant experience in program/project management, strategy consulting, impact investing, financial services, development finance, or a related field.

• Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects, coordinating across internal and external teams, and independently driving workstreams to completion.

• Strong analytical, data management and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate quantitative and qualitative data into actionable program and strategic insights.

• Experience in financial inclusion, innovative finance, climate, livelihoods, circular economy or other development-finance initiatives preferred.

• Knowledge of or experience in the waste management/circular economy sector would be an added advantage, particularly experience working with informal enterprises, waste workers or ecosystem stakeholders.

• Collaborative team contributor; excellent listening; effective influencer; strong interpersonal skills.

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills; good attention to detail.

• Ability to self-manage work streams and tasks; self-directed and resourceful with high standards for quality output.

• A curious and creative intellect and a style that includes flexibility, levelness, and a sense of humor and humility.

Additional Information

Compensation and Benefits

Salary range for this position is INR 20L - 24L. 

GDI South Asia offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes employer contributions to Provident Fund, health and personal accident Insurance, generous leave allowances and professional development support.

How to Apply

If you are interested in this position and meet the qualifications above, please submit a single PDF document containing a one-page cover letter and resume. Please note that the cover letter is considered an important aspect of the application and will be evaluated against the qualifications above. Applications that do not include a cover letter will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

GDI South Asia is an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace.