Job Title: President - Foundational Learning Collaborative (FLC)

About the Foundational Learning Collaborative (FLC)- An initiative supported by The Convergence Foundation

Over the past decade, foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) has become a national priority in India. Alongside leading education SSOs, researchers, and government champions, The Convergence Foundation (TCF) has played a catalytic role—shifting the focus from inputs to learning outcomes, expanding access to early learning, contributing to NEP 2020, and supporting large-scale implementation through ASER-based measurement. India is now witnessing robust momentum in foundational learning, demonstrated by a fourfold improvement in Grade 3 reading levels in Uttar Pradesh—from 7% in 2016 to 28% today—alongside high-level recognition and strong financial commitment, including ₹13,000 crore in Ministry of Education funding through the NIPUN Bharat mission.

Yet 56% of late-primary children still face learning poverty. Progress remains fragile—and to sustain it beyond 2027, the sector must double down on aligned efforts across government, NGOs, funders, and—critically—senior decision-makers.

The Foundational Learning Collaborative (FLC) is being launched to play that role. FLC is not an implementing organisation. It is a field-building platform—a national hub that sets direction, mobilises philanthropic will, and enables collective action across the ecosystem.

Its purpose is to strengthen the “architecture” for foundational learning in India: building technical capacity, aligning policy and priorities, and channeling large-scale funding to what works. With the ambition of halving learning poverty by 2032, FLC represents a once-in-a-decade opportunity to lock in gains and ensure that every child in India acquires the foundational skills they need to thrive.

Role Overview

The President will serve as the field-builder and platform leader for the Foundational Learning Collaborative (FLC)—championing foundational learning as a national priority, shaping the national agenda, mobilising philanthropic capital, and orchestrating collective action across India’s leading system-support organisations (SSOs). The President will set direction, convene actors, represent the collaborative in the rooms where commitments are made, and ensure that the right organisations, resources, and commitments are aligned behind a shared national ambition. Sitting at the intersection of government, philanthropy, and nonprofit delivery, the role combines:

1. Fundraising and partner mobilisation
2. External leadership, representation and advocacy
3. Coalition-building across SSOs
4. System-level policy engagement





The President will ensure that FLC operates as a high-leverage platform—one that enables others to deliver at scale, rather than delivering directly. This is a senior leadership role requiring both relationship skills and executional rigour—combining both across multiple workstreams. Success will rest substantially on the ability to build FLC’s standing and carry its case to those who control funding and policy attention.

Key Responsibilities

1. Collaborative Level Fundraising & Partner Mobilisation

- Lead FLC’s fundraising, personally opening and carrying the relationships across philanthropic, corporate and CSR funders.
- Create upstream buy-in for FLN among funders—making the case for foundational learning as a philanthropic priority so that new capital enters the field.
- Position and pitch SSO-led initiatives to FLC donors and partners as part of aligned, credible FLN funding propositions.
- Curate and enable strategic collective-action funding opportunities that channel donor support to SSOs.
- Support donor stewardship, updates, and strategic engagement for SSO-funded work in collaboration with SSOs and FLC leadership.

2. National & State Leadership on Foundational Learning

- Sustain Leadership Buy-in at the Highest Levels: Develop and implement strategies to secure long-term commitment to foundational learning—positioning FLN as a national development priority across administrations.
- National and State Strategy: Lead the design and execution of a high-impact strategy to secure national-level endorsement for NIPUN 2.0, building on the success of NIPUN Bharat, and support the conceptualization, buy-in, and launch of FLN-focused missions in key states in partnership with state education departments.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with senior government leaders, bureaucrats, think tanks, and sectoral experts to drive sustained commitment to FLN, including on next-gen FLN goals, frameworks, and pathways aligned with NEP 2020.

3. Ecosystem Orchestration & SSO Enablement

- Anchor FLC’s engagement with partner SSOs, ensuring alignment on priorities, scale plans, and system levers.
- Facilitate collaboration across SSOs through thematic working groups, joint agendas, and shared learning sessions.




- Identify gaps in the ecosystem and support incubation of new system-capacity where needed.

4. Internal Coordination & Platform Building

- Translate FLC’s long-term ambition into clear 12–24 month goals, work plans, and success metrics.
- Ensure coherence across FLC’s fundraising, policy work, SSO partnerships, and field engagement.
- Build a strong, motivated FLC team with clarity of roles and accountability.
- Work with TCF teams (policy, partnerships, communications) to support FLC’s work.

Candidate Profile

Experience

- 15+ years of experience in public policy, large-scale education programs, government advisory, or system-support roles.
- Standing and networks that open doors with senior philanthropic and bureaucratic leadership in India.
- Track record of raising significant philanthropic or CSR funding, and of building funder relationships from first meeting to commitment.
- Experience building or leading multi-actor platforms, collaboratives, or field-level initiatives.
- Strong understanding of India’s school education ecosystem, particularly foundational learning or primary education reform.
- Track record of mobilising senior stakeholders across philanthropy, government, and civil society.
- Comfort operating through influence rather than authority.

Skills

- Exceptional relationship-building skills, capable of establishing credibility and rapport with donors, SSO leaders, senior government officials, and other influencers.
- Able to engage with senior corporate leadership and translate complex policy/systemic work into clear donor narratives.
- Proven ability to work with senior bureaucratic leadership and influence policy decisions.

- Strong communication and strategic thinking abilities, with a talent for identifying opportunities and "connecting the dots" to drive impactful outcomes.
- Analytical acumen, with the ability to conduct deep dives into complex issues and synthesise actionable insights that inform strategic decisions.
- Demonstrated commitment to equity and learning outcomes in education.

Attributes

- Passionate about TCF and FLC’s mission and driven to make a measurable impact on India's learning outcomes through policy reform and government engagement.
- Proactive in outreach and relationship management, with a deep understanding of the policy landscape and the dynamics of government partnerships.
- A credible and trustworthy demeanour that fosters respect, confidence, and lasting relationships with diverse stakeholders.
- Willingness to travel to states and international convenings.

Apply Now or reach out to Mr. Vishal Doshi to express your interest in the same!

📌 President - FLC (Delhi)
🏢 The Convergence Foundation
📍 Delhi