Job Title: Subject Matter Expert – MSME (Textile / Electronics / Pharma & Med-Tech) (15+ years of relevant experience)
Location: New Delhi (Preferred) / Chennai / Bengaluru, India (with travel as needed across India)
Employment Type: Two months intermittent engagement over 12-months (Extendable based on requirement)
Start Date: 26th January 2026
About Us
Celebrating over fifteen years of innovative and collaborative work, Athena Infonomics has established itself as a data-driven global consultancy that leverages social science research, data science, and technology to provide user-centric, context-specific solutions and advice to decision makers. Our multidisciplinary and multi-cultural team of 75+ professionals spread across Asia, Africa, US and Europe exemplify extensive experience in designing and applying research methods to co-design and co-produce useful research that is inclusive and relevant.
Our team of data scientists apply agile programming and ICT tools to deliver responsive and practical data and digital solutions—making an innovative, technology-oriented business model that sets us apart in the international development space.
The international business community is taking notice of this unique approach: in 2021 alone, Athena Infonomics was recognized on The Financial Times, Nikkei Asia, and Statista’s High-Growth Companies Asia-Pacific 2021 and 2022 ranking, and was selected as one of The Economic Times and Statista’s 2021, 2022 and 2023 India Growth Champions.
Position Overview
Athena will be assisting in the launch of a national-level project to accelerate AI adoption among Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The project aims to create a replicable, evidence-driven model(s) that enables MSMEs to understand, adopt, and scale AI solutions backed by a robust ecosystem of service providers, policy support, skill upgradation and financing pathways. This project seeks to provide actionable economic insights and frameworks to inform strategy and decision-making by the national ministry and line ministries and engages externally with a wide range of stakeholders.
Terms of Reference
We are looking to engage MSME experts in the areas of Electronics / Pharmaceuticals including Medical Technology / Textiles for guidance on policy, technical and industry aspects on a short-term basis. The broad terms of engagements are listed below:
- Provide overall technical guidance to the core project implementation team on areas including but not limited to sectoral context, refinement of problem statement, contextualization of existing approach and method, work plan, etc.
- Participate in key external stakeholders such as government, Industry Associations, MSME units and internal project team
- Identify and facilitate outreach with industry associations and MSMEs, wherever possible
- Guide the project team on documentation of sectoral issues and challenges, industry automation (Industry 4.0) and review the applicability of AI solutions including accelerated adoption.
- Guide on the approach for sampling for MSME units in the respective sector for factory visits / immersion and validation exercises. This includes guidance on clusters based on geography and industrial segments.
- Participate in select factory visits / immersion and validation exercises
Educational Qualifications and Experience:
- At least 15 years of experience in consulting / advisory or handholding support to industrial units operating in either the (a) electronics (b) pharmaceuticals and/or medical technology (c) textiles sector in India.
- Strong understanding of how the sector, industrial clusters and industrial units, especially the MSMEs, are organized, their business processes, applicable government policies, schemes, and financial incentives, etc.
- Strong understanding of the issues and challenges faced by these MSMEs including those related to supply chain, procurement, export competitiveness including price, quality, safety, sustainability and emerging issues such as global traceability, ethical sourcing etc.
- Strong understanding of industry automation (digitalization / AI-ML solutions)
- Bachelor's degrees in relevant discipline; experts will master’s degree shall be preferred
Additional Requirements
- This position requires successful completion of a reference check and employment verification.
- The successful candidate must not be subject to employment restrictions from a former employer (such as a non-compete) that would prevent the candidate from performing the job responsibilities as described.
- Only candidates who have India work authorization will be considered.
Athena’s Work Culture
At Athena, we function in an outcomes-based work environment with flexible hours and a high level of autonomy. Professional development and thought leadership are key elements of our business model: we support our team members' professional growth through on-the-job training, and we encourage the cultivation of our colleagues’ personal brands through participation in panels, events, publications, and other thought-leadership opportunities. We embrace a transparent, open work environment with meaningful leadership pathways for those with inventive ideas and initiatives.
Athena Infonomics is an Equal Opportunities Employer
Athena Infonomics is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.
