RightWalk Foundation
Website:
rightwalk.org
Company:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/rightwalkfoundation
Seniority: Director
Industries: Non-profit Organizations
Job details:
Competency: Policy analysis, systems thinking, program architecture, government process literacy, documentation.
Job Mode: Onsite
Reports To: Founder & CEO / Board of Directors
Location: New Delhi (HQ) · Multi-state travel
ROLE PURPOSE
RightWalk's core identity is as a policy-to-outcomes institution builder. This role is the intellectual and architectural engine of that identity. The Head – Policy, Systems & Program Architecture owns the 'R' and 'I' of the RIGHT model: Redesign (policy co-shaping) and Institutionalize (systems design). Everything that becomes RightWalk standard must pass through this function. This role ensures that what works in one state becomes codified, transferable, and replicable — not tribal knowledge locked in people's heads.
This role owns the institutional architecture of RightWalk’s work: policy reform logic, system design, program models, SOPs, quality thresholds, PMU blueprints, exit criteria and codification of what works across states. It protects the organisation’s identity as a systems-change institution.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Policy reform logic and standards
- Own the policy reform logic across RightWalk's domains — Education (RTE), Livelihood (Apprenticeship), and Health — including policy interpretation, rights-based reasoning, and advocacy positioning.
- Define non-negotiable standards for program design and implementation fidelity.
- Support government-facing policy/process improvements through evidence and design.
- Set non-negotiable program standards: define quality thresholds, entry/exit criteria, and program fidelity benchmarks across all states.
- Lead policy domain heads (Education, Livelihood, Health) and guide specialist analysts.
- Engage with government counterparts, NITI Aayog, and central ministries on policy refinement.
2. Systems and process architecture
- Design institutional systems: SOPs, process flows, governance structures, government-technology interface specifications, and central-state system alignment.
- Translate policy intent into implementable system designs.
- Develop templates for process mapping, bottleneck analysis and system redesign.
- Work with technology and data teams to ensure digital tools reflect real administrative workflows.
3. Program architecture and playbooks
- Own the codification of 'what works' — convert state-level learning into replicable playbooks, training curricula, and toolkits.
- Translate policy intent into executable program architecture — the bridge between reform logic and PMU operations.
- Define what must be standardised centrally and what can be adapted by states.
- Develop exit and transition criteria for government ownership.
- Ensure each program has clear logic from policy intent to beneficiary outcome.
4. Codification and replication
- Capture state innovations and convert them into RightWalk standards.
- Sign off on any new program design or modification before state rollout — the 'fidelity gate' for all RightWalk programs.
- Build knowledge products that support scale, training, donor communication and government adoption.
5. Cross-functional alignment
- Partner with the Data/M&E function on KPI definitions, indicator frameworks, and learning loops.
- Work with Programs to test architecture in real state contexts.
- Work with Tech/Product to translate workflows into digital requirements.
- Work with Communications to ensure public narrative reflects real systems work.
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE — SIX MONTHS
- RightWalk has a clear, documented policy and program architecture for each of its three domains — living documents that are used, not just filed.
- Every PMU in every state is working from a consistent playbook — not inventing their own approach.
- SOP and playbook structure created for major programs.
- The 'RightWalk Standard' exists — a codified set of quality thresholds and fidelity benchmarks that any state PMU can be assessed against.
WHAT THIS ROLE DOES NOT DO
- Running state execution or managing PMU field teams.
- Owning donor relationships or fundraising proposals.
- Communications and media strategy.
- Data collection or field M&E.
CANDIDATE PROFILE
- Experience: 12–18 years. Prior experience at the intersection of policy and systems — could be government, a policy think-tank, a development consulting firm, or a senior implementation NGO role.
- Domain: Deep familiarity with at least one of RightWalk's domains: education (RTE), labour/apprenticeship, or public health systems.
- Government literacy: Ability to work with government drafting — GOs, policy circulars, SOP design — not just analysis.
- Writing: Exceptional writing and documentation discipline — can produce policy briefs, system blueprints, and playbooks independently.
- Mindset: Architecture mindset: thinks in systems, process flows, and standards — not just programmes.
- Backbone: Comfortable holding the line on quality and fidelity even under pressure from execution teams.
Success traits: Architecture mindset, clarity, strong writing, humility to learn from the field, courage to define standards, ability to hold complexity without drowning everyone in it.
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