Project Leader – Destination Sites at The Convergence Foundation

Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

21 Jul, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

22 Apr, 26

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Project management, Stakeholder management, Public sector engagement, Strategic planning, Problem solving, Tourism development, Policy design, Communication, Coordination, Leadership, Relationship building, Analytical thinking, Execution, Cross-functional collaboration

Industry

Non-profit Organizations

Description

Job Description Role- Destination Sites Location - Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh Atithi Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation working to transform India's tourism sector into a key engine of economic growth. We partner with government bodies, industry leaders, knowledge institutions and community stakeholders to design evidence-based policies and strategies to create livelihoods, safeguard heritage, and strengthen India's position on the global tourism stage. Our vision: To make India a $490 billion tourism economy by 2035, with inclusive growth, preserving heritage, and showcasing the nation's culture and natural beauty to the world. Tourism as an Economic Engine: Tourism plays a vital role in India's economy, generating over $200 billion in 2023, accounting for 5.5% of GDP. More importantly, it is a major job creator, supporting nearly 40 million jobs (8% of national employment). Additionally, 54% of the tourism workforce comprises women, highlighting the sector's role in fostering economic inclusion. India's Untapped Global Potential: Despite its diverse geography and rich cultural heritage, India attracts only 10Mn Foreign visitors. In contrast, China saw 66 million foreign tourists in 2019, while Vietnam and Thailand welcomed 18 million and 40 million, respectively. This gap presents a significant opportunity for India's tourism sector to grow with the right strategies. Key Challenges to Overcome Lack of Standardised Data: Tourism is mainly measured by footfall rather than economic impact, limiting effective decision-making Narrow Brand Image: India is often perceived as an exotic yet challenging destination. A broader appeal is needed to attract more diverse tourists Concentration of Tourism: Major revenues come from only six destinations, leading to overcrowding and overuse of resources in popular spots like Goa and Shimla Ease of Doing Business: Complex regulations and lengthy approval processes hinder the development of tourism infrastructure Cross-Cutting Governance: Developing new tourist destinations requires coordinated efforts across various government departments, which is currently lacking ATITHI Foundation leverages philanthropy as a catalyst to unlock India's tourism potential, driving economic growth and job creation. Role Overview The Project Leader – Destination Sites will anchor Atithi Foundations' work in Madhya Pradesh, working closely with state and destination-level stakeholders to unlock tourism potential in key sites such as Khajuraho. This role is for professionals who enjoy working close to the ground, engaging with government counterparts, local stakeholders, and the private sector to drive tourism transformation at specific destinations. The role requires comfort with ambiguity, strong on-ground problem-solving skills, and the ability to tailor tourism transformation agendas to the unique context of each destination. Key Responsibilities Lead destination-level engagements with state government departments, city administrations, local authorities, and private stakeholders to design and drive tourism transformation initiatives in Madhya Pradesh. Identify and bridge capability gaps (not capacity gaps) within public sector counterparts, helping them think differently about tourism outcomes. Develop destination-level strategies and roadmaps that link public sector reforms with private sector participation and investment. Package destination opportunities in a manner that is attractive and credible for private sector players, including hospitality, travel, and experience providers. Navigate multi-agency environments at the destination level and identify practical levers to drive progress despite institutional complexity. Work closely with central teams to align destination-level work with broader national tourism frameworks and priorities. Provide leadership and guidance to project teams comprising Atithi staff, consultants, and organisations. Track progress rigorously, resolve bottlenecks, and ensure momentum on agreed initiatives. Ideal Candidate Profile Experience working on public sector or social sector programmes at the state, district, or city level (or a strong inclination to do so). Strong on-ground execution skills combined with the ability to think strategically about destination development. Comfort working in ambiguous environments with evolving objectives and constraints. Ability to engage constructively with government officials, private sector stakeholders, and local institutions. Creative, outside-in thinking on how tourism destinations can be repositioned and unlocked. Strong communication and coordination skills. Willingness to be based in Khajuraho and spend extended time at destination sites when required. We aim to incubate an organisation dedicated to accelerating India's position as a premier global tourist destination. Atithi Foundation is committed to conducting deep, action-oriented research, driving awareness at both national and international levels, and developing scalable pilot projects to unlock value in tourism. Join us in this exciting journey to build India's tourism sector and unlock opportunities for millions of Indians!

Responsibilities

The Project Leader will lead destination-level engagements with government and private stakeholders to design and implement tourism transformation initiatives. They will develop strategic roadmaps, bridge capability gaps, and ensure momentum on projects while navigating complex multi-agency environments.