Lead - Public Policy

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 Karya's 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 Karya's 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 Karya's 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 Karya's 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 Karya's 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.