Job Title: Programme Associate - Inclusive Employer Engagement

Department: Programmes

Location: Mumbai (Goregaon) | On-site

Employment Type: Full-time

Reports To: Programme Manager

About Veruschka Foundation

Veruschka Foundation empowers persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (PwIDDs) to become contributing members of society through the power of food. The organisation focuses on awareness to promote inclusion, life and market skills development and sustainable livelihood opportunities through mainstream employment, micro-entrepreneurship and supported employment.

Website: https://theveruschkafoundation.org

Purpose of the Role The Programme Associate - Inclusive Employer Engagement will support the transition of PwIDD students graduating from the S.E.E.D. of the Future programme into meaningful and sustainable employment opportunities within the hospitality industry.

The role involves working closely with students, families, trainers, hospitality employers, HR teams, supervisors and internal programme teams to ensure that students are placed in suitable roles based on their strengths, interests, skills and support needs.

The ideal candidate should be empathetic, organised and confident in engaging with employers. They should have a robust commitment to inclusion, dignity and equal opportunity for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Key Responsibilities

1. Market Research & Sector Mapping (Hospitality)● Conduct research on the hospitality sector (hotels, restaurants, cafes, facility management, etc.) to identify inclusive employers.

● Map job roles suitable for individuals with PwIDD (e.g., housekeeping, F&B; support, kitchen assistants, back-end operations).

● Analyse hiring trends, workplace expectations and accessibility practices.

● Generate insights and recommendations to enhance inclusive hiring and placement strategies.

2. Employer Engagement & Network Development● Identify, onboard, and build relationships with hospitality employers open to inclusive hiring.

● Conduct employer sensitisation sessions on working with individuals with PwIDD.

● Develop and maintain a strong employer database with detailed partner profiles.

● Ensure consistent engagement to drive repeat hiring and long-term partnerships.

3. Placement Coordination (PwIDD Focus)● Manage end-to-end placement processes for candidates trained under IDD programs.

● Align candidate strengths and abilities with suitable job roles.

● Coordinate interviews, workplace trials, and onboarding with employers.

● Track candidate progress, retention,



and workplace adaptation.

4. Programme Implementation & Event Coordination● Support the Programme Manager in planning and executing awareness campaigns, workshops, and events.

● Coordinate logistics for on-ground and off-site events including venues, participants, partners, and volunteers.

● Ensure smooth execution of awareness and engagement activities.

● Document event outcomes, learnings, and feedback for continuous improvement.

5. Community Outreach & Mobilisation● Support mobilisation for programme enrolments, workshops, and public events.

● Coordinate with the communications team to amplify outreach through digital and offline channels.

6. Monitoring, Data Management & Reporting● Support data collection and documentation for awareness and event-based programs

● Maintain accurate data on outreach, employer engagement, placements, and retention.

● Track programme progress, participation, and outcomes.

● Prepare periodic reports, dashboards, and insights for internal and donor reporting.

7. Communications & Visibility Support● Share photographs, stories, testimonials, and insights from events with the Communications Team.

● Support content for newsletters, social media, donor updates, and annual reports.

● Assist in documenting impact narratives from beneficiaries and partners.

8. Administrative & Operational Support● Support administrative processes related to event planning, permissions, documentation, and compliance

● Assist Programme Manager with reporting, due diligence, and coordination requirements

● Ensure adherence to safeguarding, inclusion, and organisational protocols.

Key Requirements

● Education: Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, special education, business administration, hospitality, human resources, education or a related field.

● Experience: 1-3 years of experience in placements, employer engagement, recruitment coordination, skill development, disability inclusion, vocational training, hospitality operations or programme coordination. Candidates with experience working with persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities will be preferred.



Experience in hospitality placements or employer partnerships will be an added advantage.

Skills and Knowledge

- Strong communication, interpersonal and networking skills.
- Ability to engage confidently with hospitality employers and HR teams.
- Sensitivity and understanding towards persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Good coordination, follow-up, and documentation skills.
- Ability to assess job suitability and match candidates to appropriate roles.
- Basic understanding of workplace inclusion, reasonable accommodations, and supported employment.
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Proficiency in MS Office, Google Workspace, Excel, or MIS tools.
- Ability to work with students, families, employers, trainers, and internal teams.
- Patience, empathy, professionalism, and problem-solving ability.
- Willingness to travel locally for employer meetings, workplace visits, interviews, and follow-ups.

Candidate Attitude and Mindset

- Respectful and inclusive attitude.
- Strong belief in inclusion, equity, disability rights and the employability and potential of PwIDD students.
- Ability to advocate for students while maintaining professional employer relationships.
- Ownership-driven and deadline-oriented.
- Proactive, organised, and solution-focused.
- Comfortable working independently in field settings and dynamic hospitality environments.
- Reliable, ethical, and committed to safeguarding student dignity and confidentiality.

Key Interaction The Programme Associate will closely work with the Programme Manager, Faculty, Special Educator, Counsellors, Communications Associate and External Partners, institutions and community stakeholders.

Why Join Veruschka Foundation?

At Veruschka Foundation, we empower PwIDDs through a unique culinary-based model that blends disability advocacy, skill-building, and livelihood creation. As we grow, we offer our team:

- Mission-driven Work: Be part of a purpose-led organisation where your work directly contributes to social change
- Learning & Development: Opportunities to learn, problem-solve and make decisions to excel in your role
- Diverse Workforce: An inclusive, collaborative team culture with professionals from multiple sectors
- 360 Growth: A positive, supportive work environment with strong mentorship and guidance
- Downtime & Wellbeing: Thoughtfully planned time off to support rest and maintain a healthy work–life balance
- People-first Culture: Regular team bonding activities, an open-door policy and an emphasis on personal growth.

📌 Programme Associate - Inclusive Employer Engagement (Mumbai)
🏢 Veruschka Foundation
📍 Mumbai