Dr. Sanjiv has been engaged in the development sector as a thought leader, grant-maker, writer, teacher, and consultant for the last 30 years. He has worked closely with Dr. Verghese Kurien early in his career. Dr Sanjiv was the Program Director at the Sir Dorabji Tata Trusts and now heads Vikasanvesh Foundation, a research organization supported by the Tata Trusts.
Dr. Sanjiv has authored several books and has published research in national and international journals on small industry, water, livelihoods, civil society, and the co-operative sector, and also a large volume of teaching material on these subjects. Dr. Sanjiv is a Fellow of Indian Institute of Management, (IIM) Ahmedabad, from where he also got his PGP in business management.