Government Relations Specialist, FRSN

Job Description About Quest Alliance: Quest Alliance is a not-for-profit organization working across India, dedicated to equipping young people with the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving world of work. Since 2008, we've been reimagining how young learners, especially those from underserved communities experience education, career readiness, and lifelong learning. We have been enabling equitable school-to-work transitions by building future-ready learning ecosystems that prioritize access, inclusion, and innovation. Through strong collaboration with government systems, educators, communities, and civil society, we co-create tech-enabled learning experiences that empower young learnersespecially those from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds to build dignified, thriving and future-ready careers. We envision a world where education goes beyond access, becoming a powerful tool for self-empowerment, social mobility, and lasting impact. About Future Right Skills Network (FRSN) The Future Right Skills Network (FRSN) is a multi-stakeholder collaborative platform committed to enabling systemic transformation in India's Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). FRSN brings together government, industry, and civil society organizations to strengthen the skilling ecosystem and improve employability outcomes for youth. The network drives collective action through data-driven learning, innovation, and policy engagement to influence national-level reform and institutional excellence in ITIs. Role Overview : The FRSN Government Relations Specialist will anchor FRSN's engagement with the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), the Directorate General of Training (DGT), and state skill departments. This is a strategic and outward-facing role for a professional who can bridge the worlds of policy, government systems, and evidence-based reform acting as FRSN's extended arm within the ministry ecosystem to drive decisions that shape India's skilling landscape. Key Responsibilities 1. Government Relations & Stakeholder Engagement - Build and sustain trusted relationships with senior officials at MSDE, DGT, NCVET, NSDC, and State Skill Development Missions (SSDMs). - Serve as FRSN's primary liaison for national-level coordination, ensuring strategic alignment between FRSN's initiatives and government priorities. - Represent FRSN in ministry meetings, technical working groups, and policy consultations. - When required, operate onsite within ministry offices to support decision-making, follow-up, and execution. - Facilitate dialogues between central and state government stakeholders to strengthen the ITI ecosystem. 2. Policy Advocacy & Systems Reform - Design and implement advocacy strategies to advance ITI transformation and vocational education reform. - Develop and present policy papers, briefing notes, and recommendations on key areas such as trainer development, industry partnerships, employability skills, and green/digital skilling. - Coordinate and host policy dialogues, consultations, and roundtables with government, industry, and civil society partners. - Track, analyse, and interpret emerging government policies, schemes, and circulars to inform FRSN's strategic positioning. - Develop evidence-based narratives and materials that strengthen FRSN's advocacy and visibility. - Translate FRSN's pilots and research (e.g., ITI Grading Framework, Trainer Development Strategy) into actionable policy proposals. 3. Internal Collaboration & Coordination - Collaborate with FRSN's research, data, and thematic working groups to align field evidence with policy advocacy priorities. - Maintain comprehensive documentation of all government engagements, policy submissions, and follow-ups. - Liaise with the Steering Committee, funders, and knowledge partners to ensure visibility of FRSN's policy contributions and advocacy priorities. Required Attributes - 810 years of experience in government relations, public policy, or systems reform, preferably within the skilling, education, or labour ecosystem. - Proven experience engaging with central ministries (MSDE, MoE, MoLE, NITI Aayog) and state skill departments. - Demonstrated success in managing high-level relationships and influencing policy outcomes. - Strong understanding of India's skilling and vocational training ecosystem. - Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills. - Strong policy writing, analysis, and synthesis abilities adept at translating technical insights into policy-friendly formats. - Strategic thinker with the ability to navigate complex government processes and drive collaborative action. - High degree of initiative, diplomacy, and professional maturity in cross-sectoral engagement. Benefits: In addition to your compensation, you are also eligible for a suite of benefits designed to support your well-being and growth: - Comprehensive Personal Accident Insurance covering up to 10,00,000 annually - Mediclaim Insurance covering up to 3,00,000 annually, supported through our insurance partner, Loop, which also offers additional wellness benefits - Reach for the Stars (RFS) amount of up to 5,000 to support your self-learning and knowledge-building efforts - Internet allowance of up to 750/month, reimbursable based on actual usage to support flexible and hybrid working arrangements - For employees with children under the age of 6 years, Quest offers childcare or day care fee support through a monthly matching contribution of up to 3,000, helping you create a supportive work-life balance - Access to emotional health and wellbeing programs such as: * Group sessions worth 7,500 per session fully covered by the organisation * 1:1 counselling sessions (worth 1,800 per session), fully covered by the organisation At Quest Alliance, we pride ourselves on being an Equal Opportunities employer, embracing applications from all segments of the community. We are committed to ensuring that every applicant and employee is treated with fairness and respect, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, marital status, social status, caste, religious belief, age, or any other factor that is irrelevant to performance. Your individuality is valued and respected within our organization. Know About Quest Website :http://www.questalliance.net/ Blog : https://thelearnerbyquest.wordpress.com About the Team and Culture Everyday is a Friday - How we make our workplace fun Quest Day - Our Bday celebrated with people we love, and there is food & music What our partners & collaborators say - see here Annual All Staff Meet - From Goa, Kumarakom, Coorg, Bodh Gaya & Puducherry this is where all employees meet to celebrate their learning & relationships. Watch our youtube playlists for more.