Janhavi Ujjain

Senior Program Associate , Non Profit Organisation

New Delhi, India

I am a dedicated and results-oriented professional specializing in public policy research. I have a track record of successful projects that involve research, stakeholder engagement, and policy recommendations. My experience spans across both nonprofit and international organization sectors,
where I have collaborated with diverse teams to drive impactful solutions in challenging environments.

Contact Janhavi Ujjain
Area of Expertise:
  • Environment, Climate, Energy, Water, Sanitation
  • Government/Governance, Reforms, Corruption
  • Monitoring, Evaluation, Policy, Research
  • Private Sector, Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Social, Gender, Education, Youth, Child
Professional Experience:

My professional journey has been rooted in using research, documentation, and stakeholder engagement to influence inclusive public policy and systemic change. At ChangeInkk Foundation, I served as a Senior Program Associate where my work centered on embedding inclusion in education, employment, and business practices. I led the development of evidence-based learning modules on inclusive hiring, procurement, and corporate social responsibility, which were rolled out to over 340 corporate leaders across the Asia-Pacific region. These engagements not only deepened my understanding of the corporate sector’s role in social transformation but also allowed me to translate complex inclusion frameworks into actionable strategies for organizations.

One of my key contributions was reviewing central and state-level education policies through an inclusion lens. I helped design practical recommendations to strengthen accessibility and equity within the Indian education system. My work also extended to co-developing indicators for a randomized controlled trial (RCT) focused on inclusive education outcomes. I was part of the core team that conceptualized and built a digital app to assess inclusion readiness in government schools—an initiative that has the potential to impact over 1.43 million K–12 students across India. These experiences reinforced my skills in cross-sectoral collaboration, policy design, and impact measurement.

Additionally, I supported CBSE in incorporating inclusive assessments under the National Education Policy 2020. This involved secondary research, conceptual framing, and drafting of assessment tools to promote learner-centric evaluation practices. I also had the opportunity to present my insights as a panelist in an international webinar hosted by IBM, where I spoke about the importance of inclusive ecosystems and disability-responsive systems change.

Prior to this, I worked with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) as a Project Assistant, where my focus was on mapping innovation potential in India’s manufacturing sector using the Sectoral Systems of Innovation (SSI) framework. I conducted in-depth research and policy analysis for key industrial sectors, collaborated with regional industry associations like MCCI and the India SME Forum, and engaged with policymakers from the Department of Science and Technology. My work involved analyzing how emerging technologies and Industry 4.0 innovations could be leveraged for sustainable and inclusive growth in India’s industrial landscape.

I also managed extensive stakeholder engagement processes and supported the drafting of strategic reports that provided policy inputs to both industry bodies and central government departments. This role sharpened my ability to navigate complex systems, work with diverse stakeholders, and synthesize field-level insights into policy-relevant knowledge products.

Together, these experiences have equipped me with the ability to bridge grassroots realities with institutional frameworks, advocate for inclusive design across sectors, and support evidence-based policymaking that is both contextually grounded and forward-looking.

Education:

I am a public policy and research professional with a strong foundation in disaster management, governance, gender, and inclusive development. I earned my Master’s in Disaster Management from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai (2019–2021), where I was awarded the Silver Medal and recognized as the second-best student of my batch, graduating with a CGPA of 7.5. My thesis, titled “Gender-Just Healthcare in the Context of Recurring Floods in Bihar”, allowed me to critically explore how systemic vulnerabilities in disaster-prone areas intersect with gender and public health.

During my postgraduate studies, I interned with SEEDS (Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society), where I contributed to urban recovery frameworks and disaster management plans across Indian cities. I conducted field-based assessments and policy reviews to recommend strategies for making urban systems more resilient, inclusive, and responsive.

Before that, I completed my Bachelor’s in Political Science (Hons.) from Kamla Nehru College, University of Delhi, with Journalism as my subsidiary. My undergraduate years laid a strong conceptual and analytical foundation in political thought, public institutions, and social accountability—while sharpening my communication and documentation skills. Through each of these experiences, I’ve honed my skills in research, documentation, stakeholder engagement, and policy analysis. I enjoy working at the intersection of sectors—be it disasters, healthcare, education, or industry—and bringing in a grounded, systems-thinking approach to every project. With a background that spans public policy, politics, disaster resilience, inclusive governance, and development research, I remain committed to driving evidence-based, inclusive change through meaningful work.

Affiliations and Achievements:

Academic excellence has always been a cornerstone of my journey. I was awarded the Silver Medal at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, for my performance in the Master’s in Disaster Management program (2019–2021), where I also received the distinction of being the second-best student of the academic year. This recognition affirmed my commitment to rigorous, interdisciplinary scholarship and my ability to apply theory to complex, real-world challenges, particularly in the domains of gender, healthcare, and disaster resilience.

In 2021, I also qualified the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) in the Sociology stream, securing an All India Rank (AIR) of 191. This not only validated my academic foundations in the social sciences but also highlighted my analytical skills and deep engagement with sociological thought—especially in the context of development, inequality, and structural vulnerabilities.

As part of my engagement with the academic community, I was selected to present a paper at the 4th Disaster, Risk & Vulnerability Conference, where I explored themes around intersectionality and community-based disaster response. Presenting among leading voices in the field gave me an early platform to sharpen my articulation, defend my ideas, and contribute meaningfully to evolving conversations on risk and resilience.

Throughout my academic and professional journey, I’ve consistently sought opportunities to blend theory with practice—whether through fieldwork in disaster-affected regions, rigorous policy analysis, or presenting research findings to academic and practitioner communities. These achievements have not only shaped my intellectual trajectory but also built a strong foundation for advanced research, collaboration, and impact in public policy and governance.

Available for:

  • Consulting assignments
  • Job opportunities
  • Being headhunted – make me an offer

Years of Experience:

2-5 years

Highest Qualification:

Masters

Languages:

English, Hindi

Nationality:

Indian

Home Page:

Subscribe to Value Membership Broadcast Resume

Disclaimer Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions