About the PRI

The PRI is the world’s leading proponent of responsible investment. Established in 2006, it is a UN-supported global investor initiative working with over 5,000 signatories representing more than US$120 trillion in assets to advance sustainable financial markets. The PRI supports investors to understand the investment implications of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors and to support its international network of investor signatories in incorporating these factors into their investment and ownership decisions.

The PRI’s three distinct capabilities relate to the core elements of the PRI’s approach to achieving a sustainable financial system.

• Translate RI (Responsible Investment) thought leadership into insights and practical support that is tailored to what signatories need to progress their RI practice

• Convene our vast network to create opportunities for collaborative action

• Harness our global scale to influence policymakers and regulators to effect system change

Job Description

The Senior Policy Specialist is a newly created role within the Responsible Investment Markets (RIM) India team. As one of the world’s most significant emerging markets, India represents a strategic priority for PRI, with policy and regulatory engagement serving as a core lever to scale and deepen responsible investment across the financial system. This role is responsible for developing and delivering PRI’s policy strategy and engagement programme in India, working in close collaboration with colleagues across the PRI’s global offices – particularly the global and regional policy teams.

The position will lead the development of PRI’s India policy engagement strategy, including policy research and analysis, signatory and broader ecosystem engagement, and policymaker outreach related to India’s responsible investment development and economic transition. It will also coordinate and support the local implementation of global PRI policy initiatives to drive progressive signatory action in the Indian market.

This includes translating PRI’s global positions on sustainable finance policy and frameworks, including climate, nature, and human rights issues — into the Indian context; developing local policy positions; responding to government consultations; and issuing public statements or submissions on behalf of PRI. The work is grounded in evidence-based research and delivered through collaborative engagement with PRI signatories and key stakeholders. Further information on PRI’s policy approach is available on our website.

The Senior Policy Specialist India will work closely with regional policy teams and the Global Policy team to equip policymakers, regulators, standard setters, government departments, and PRI signatories with the tools and insights needed to advance real-world sustainability outcomes aligned with PRI’s mission and the Six Principles.

The role requires a strong understanding of India’s policy and regulatory landscape and close coordination with colleagues across PRI’s global RIM and Policy teams to help foster an enabling environment for more effective responsible investment practices. Domestic travel, and occasional international travel, will be required, primarily for signatory engagement, industry events, and internal collaboration. The role reports to the Head of Middle East, North Africa & India, Responsible Investment Markets.

Core Responsibilities

• Develop and implement PRI’s policy strategy for India, consistent with the PRI’s Mission Statement, the Six Principles and ensuring consistency with other PRI positions.

• Develop reasoned and evidence-based policy positions (Consultations, Letters, Sign on Statements, and Policy Reports) consistent with the PRI’s policy approach.

• Build and maintain good working relationships with key policy and regulatory stakeholders across India’s financial system and climate policy ecosystem — including, but not limited to, financial regulators (e.g. SEBI, RBI, IRDA, PFDA), relevant ministries (e.g. MOF, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ministry of Corporate Affairs), market infrastructure institutions, industry associations, academic institutions and civil society organisations active in sustainable finance and climate policy. This role will create channels of communication between the Indian signatories and relevant stakeholders to effect system change.

• Develop relationships with and proactively engage with senior members across the ecosystem, including PRI signatories and peers (e.g., other investor networks and NGOs) to foster joint engagement.

• Work to build consensus with Indian signatories on draft policy positions, calibrating and integrating feedback to strengthen support for sustainable finance policy among PRI signatories.

• Monitor and research key developments relevant to sustainable finance in India, including but not limited to corporate and investor disclosures, investor duties, taxonomies, stewardship, and sustainability outcomes.

• Prepare and deliver content and communications (emails, policy briefings, webinars, blogs, newsletters) to help PRI signatories better understand and contribute to sustainable finance policy developments in India.

• Prepare briefing notes, key messages, and presentations for colleagues on PRI policy activities in India, including the Executive Team, Directors, and Heads, as well as for media engagements.

• Support the PRI's participation in events and meetings with key stakeholders (for example, preparing briefings and presentations, follow-up actions, logistics, etc.)

• Collaborate with the PRI’s Global Policy Team, Regional Policy Teams, and other relevant internal teams to develop policy positions and contribute to wider policy team projects and initiatives (Global Policy Reference Group, newsletters, regulatory database, events, etc.)

• Identify new areas of research and advocacy to support PRI’s work on sustainable finance policy.

• Initiate and strengthen working relationships with PRI’s other teams on local policy related issues, serving as the PRI’s policy expert in the country; in particular, working with Policy, Sustainable Systems and Investor Initiatives, ensuring the latest PRI positions are taken to local policy actors as appropriate.

• Represent the PRI at key events both digital and in person, on sustainable finance policy.

Person Specification & Selection Criteria

• This list is representative (though neither exclusionary nor exhaustive) of the skills, experience, and behaviours needed to be successful in the role. Applicants will be assessed against the below criteria during the recruitment process.

• Working knowledge of the PRI, investment practice, the structure and operation of the investment chain and issues relating to sustainable finance and responsible investment.

• Working knowledge of public policy considerations in India and India’s investment and financial sector. Prior work on sustainable finance policy preferred, e.g. ESG disclosure and data, non-financial reporting, corporate governance, proxy voting, etc.

• Demonstrated experience in policy analysis, formulating policy positions and conducting research, preferably including projects relevant to the finance industry.

• Outstanding communications and analytical skills demonstrated through professional experience, with professional English writing standard and editing skills.

• Strong verbal (including public speaking and facilitating workshops) and written communications skills in English. Ability to engage and motivate, present complex information and lead meetings with senior policy stakeholders and investors. Strong facilitation skills. Diplomacy, tact, and ability to build consensus within diverse perspectives.

• Excellent networking, influencing and interpersonal skills with the ability to build strong and productive relationships and demonstrate credibility at a senior level as a trusted partner in different circumstances (remote/in-person or internal/external) with a clear understanding of what drives people and how to achieve optimal outcomes.

• Knowledge of or interest in sustainable development and climate change, and their implications for public policy, with a philosophical commitment to sustainable investment and the mission of the PRI.

• Knowledge of or interest in sustainable development and climate change, and their implications for public policy, with a philosophical commitment to sustainable investment and the mission of the PRI.

• Language skills, other than English, are desirable

Additional Selection Criteria:-

• Excellent written and spoken English language skills. Hindi language proficiency a plus.

• Self-starter with ability to work autonomously. Candidates should be comfortable with remote working systems and practices, and working alone or as part of a small office.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to get on well as part of a team and work in small teams.

• A proactive, “can-do" attitude and collaborative approach to working with others.

• Academic qualification in economics, public policy, finance or international affairs or similar. PhD / post-master education in these areas a plus.

• Must be eligible to work in New Delhi, India without any restrictions.

We particularly welcome candidates from under-represented groups, including Black, Asian, and other People of Colour, those with visible or non-visible disabilities, LGBTQ+ candidates and those who are neurodivergent.

N.B. We reserve the right to close a vacancy before the closing date in the event of an overwhelming response or a change in business priorities.