Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Languages
Languages
Websites
Affiliations
References
Timeline
Generic
Biju Mushahary

Biju Mushahary

Chennai

Summary

Strategic leader with over 15 years of experience in public policy, government engagement, and cross-sector program leadership. Demonstrated expertise in policy analysis, advocacy, designing, scaling, and delivering cross-sector programs, with a proven ability to lead teams and manage complex portfolios.

Overview

15
15
years of professional experience

Work History

SOCIAL POLICY OFFICER

UNICEF
Chennai
11.2023 - Current
  • Led UNICEF’s Social Policy and Social Protection portfolio in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, advising governments on strategic reforms.
  • Designed and implemented a disability-inclusive social protection model with ₹15M CSR funding, shaping state frameworks.
  • Established child-friendly governance frameworks across 350+ local bodies, promoting inclusivity and participation.
  • Collaborated with State Planning Commission to create the Centre for Innovation in Governance, enhancing systemic innovation.
  • Authored policy notes, strategy documents, and program frameworks to support informed decision-making.

LEAD - WORKFORCE NUTRITION

Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN)
New Delhi
07.2017 - 10.2023
  • Directed the national rollout of the Workforce Nutrition Program, expanding from pilot to 110 estates, impacting 200,000+ workers families, via collaborations with corporates and industry associations.
  • Collaborated with FSSAI, corporate HR teams, and industry bodies to embed workforce nutrition into corporate sustainability and wellbeing agendas.
  • Led cross-functional teams and multi-stakeholder partnerships, ensuring alignment between program design, policy requirements, and corporate engagement.
  • Represented GAIN in high-level forums, influencing workforce nutrition policies and advocating for evidence-based program scaling.
  • Managed USD 3M+ donor portfolio; contributed to donor proposals and ensured high-quality reporting, accountability, and compliance.

CONSULTANT - SOCIAL PROTECTION

UNICEF
New Delhi
10.2016 - 04.2017
  • Strengthened design of child-sensitive cash transfer schemes in three states, improving targeting and delivery.
  • Contributed to UNICEF India’s 2018–2022 Country Programme by embedding inclusive social policy approaches.

TECHNICAL EXPERT

GIZ
New Delhi
02.2012 - 09.2016
  • Contributed to the design, testing, and scale-up of social protection initiatives with the Government of India.
  • Advised the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Finance on pilot programs integrating health, life, and pension insurance for low-income households.
  • Assisted the Ministry of Finance on an experimental study of low-income households’ willingness to pay, informing policy on comprehensive social security benefits.
  • Co-developed and delivered India’s first GIZ-RSBY Young Professional Programme, building state-level capacity for the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (now Ayushman Bharat).

PROJECT COORDINATOR

Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE)
Guwahati
05.2010 - 01.2012
  • Managed MSME livelihood programs across seven Northeastern states, securing ₹6.5M in new projects.
  • Provided technical guidance to 11 NGO partners implementing livelihood and skills programs, building capacity, and delivering quality across the region.
  • Directly oversaw the Cluster Development Approach, a skills-based livelihood support program, managing two clusters across two states, and ensuring effective implementation.

Education

M.A - Social Entrepreneurship

TATA INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
MUMBAI, India

Bachelor of Arts - Economics

Cotton College
Gauhati University

Skills

  • Government advisory
  • Public policy advocacy
  • Stakeholder and partnership management
  • Program evaluation
  • Strategy formulation
  • Program design
  • Delivery at scale
  • Cross-sector coordination
  • Team leadership

Languages

  • English
  • Hindi
  • Assamese
  • Bengali
  • Bodo (Native)

Languages

English
First Language
English
Proficient (C2)
C2
Hindi
Proficient (C2)
C2
Bengali
Proficient (C2)
C2
Assamese
Advanced (C1)
C1
Bodo
Proficient (C2)
C2

Websites

Affiliations

  • Cooking
  • Travelling

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

SOCIAL POLICY OFFICER

UNICEF
11.2023 - Current

LEAD - WORKFORCE NUTRITION

Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN)
07.2017 - 10.2023

CONSULTANT - SOCIAL PROTECTION

UNICEF
10.2016 - 04.2017

TECHNICAL EXPERT

GIZ
02.2012 - 09.2016

PROJECT COORDINATOR

Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE)
05.2010 - 01.2012

M.A - Social Entrepreneurship

TATA INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

Bachelor of Arts - Economics

Cotton College

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Biju Mushahary