Program Associate – WIN Grants Platform Operations

JOB DESCRIPTION

Program Associate – WIN Grants Platform Operations

Location: New Delhi

Reporting to: Program Manager, WIN
Employment Type: Full-time
Experience: 2–5 years

 

About WIN

Wadhwani Innovation Network (WIN) aims to fast-track Research Translation to shape the future of innovation in emerging areas like Artificial Intelligence, including Generative AI and other advanced AI, Semiconductor Technology, Quantum Computing/Advanced Computing, Bioengineering and Healthtech, SpaceTech and Biotechnology and Synthetic Biology for a better tomorrow. As part of the first phase, we have partnered with top-tier academic and research institutions such as IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur, IISc Bangalore, IIT Hyderabad, and C-CAMP to establish Centers of Excellence (WIN-COE).

 

Role Overview

The Program Associate will support the day-to-day implementation and operations of the WIN initiative. The role will involve coordinating with WIN Centres of Excellence, researchers, experts, reviewers, institutional partners, and internal teams; supporting program activities; tracking projects and grants; maintaining program information; and assisting with reports, documentation, and digital platforms.

 

The ideal candidate should be organised, proactive, detail-oriented, and comfortable working in a dynamic, multi-stakeholder environment, with an interest in research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology ecosystems.

 

Key Responsibilities

·       Interface with the Salesforce implementation team to ensure the effective implementation and operationalisation of the WIN Grants Management Platform in line with WIN's grant-making processes and requirements.

·       Act as the day-to-day administrator of the Grants Management Platform, including user administration, access management, configuration support, data management, and workflow-related activities.

·       Support system testing, user acceptance testing, issue identification, and implementation of enhancements and improvements.

·       Monitor the overall functioning and usage of the platform and coordinate with the technical team for resolution of issues.

·       Support onboarding of WIN staff, Centres of Excellence, researchers, experts, reviewers, and other stakeholders onto the platform.

·       Manage user accounts, access rights, profiles, and other routine user administration activities.

·       Provide first-level support to users and resolve routine platform-related queries.

·       Develop and maintain user guides, FAQs, SOPs, training material, and other platform-related documentation.

·       Provide first-level support to platform users and coordinate resolution of technical or functional issues with the implementation team.

·       Track user issues, identify recurring problems, and suggest improvements to platform processes and workflows.

·       Support periodic review of platform functionality and recommend enhancements based on evolving WIN requirements.

·       Support any other platform-related activities or responsibilities assigned from time to time.

 

Educational Qualifications

Essential:
First Class bachelor’s degree in science / technology / management / computer science / IT or a related discipline from a recognised institution/university.

 

Work Experience

2-5 years of relevant experience in research, innovation, entrepreneurship, program/project management, grants management, research administration, or related areas.

Preference will be given to candidates with:

·       Experience in project management.

·       Understanding of research, innovation, startup, or entrepreneurship ecosystems.

·       Experience working with academic/research institutions, government programs, incubators, accelerators, or philanthropic organisations.

·       Exposure to Salesforce CRM, or other digital program/grants management platforms.

·       Experience in program coordination, stakeholder management, reporting, documentation, and operations.

 

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong coordination and stakeholder management skills.
  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  
• Good organisational, follow-up, and time-management skills.