Senior Research Associate, LEAD at Krea University

Type: Full-time

Employer: LEAD at Krea University

Location: New Delhi

Reporting to: Senior Research Fellow, LEAD at Krea University

Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience 

About LEAD at Krea University: 

LEAD is an action-oriented research centre of IFMR Society (a not-for-profit society registered under the Societies Act), leverages the power of research, innovation and co-creation to solve complex and pressing challenges in development. LEAD specialises in developing in-depth granular understanding of socio-economic contexts and harnessing actionable insights that have a wide range of applications in industry, policy, and academia. LEAD is a collaborative hub that brings experts from diverse disciplines and sectors together to develop innovative solutions by harnessing innovation, technology and analytics. 

About the Position:

We are seeking a Senior Research Associate to join our Small, Growing Businesses and Employment vertical. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience with DAY-NRLM (Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission) projects and a deep understanding of MSME, rural entrepreneurship, microfinance, and livelihood programmes. They are expected to develop a project plan, assign tasks to complete the same, ensure compliance with project requirements, coordinate with all relevant stakeholders, including engagement with senior government officials, for the execution and implementation of the project, provide advice and support to research and technical staff working on the project.  The candidate will be responsible for assisting in the design and development of research projects, including literature reviews, research methodology, and implementation. 

The Senior Research Associate will also collaborate with LEAD team members to develop a data collection strategy, ensuring efficient data collection and implementation. They will independently design survey questionnaires, oversee the hiring, training, and management of the field team, and conduct field monitoring exercises to ensure data quality. Additionally, the candidate will supervise field work as needed, conduct data cleaning, and prepare data for analysis. They will conduct pilots for survey questionnaires and data collection methodologies, contribute to reports, blogs, and other project deliverables, and help disseminate research findings in close coordination with LEAD’s communications team. The candidate will also conduct secondary research when necessary, develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders, and mentor Research Associates to help them perform their roles efficiently.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct in-depth research and analysis on small growing businesses, with a special focus on DAY-NRLM projects;
• Develop and implement research methodologies to assess the impact of various projects on rural livelihoods and women’s entrepreneurship;
• Develop and implement programmatic strategies to support the growth and sustainability of these businesses;
• Provide analytical insights and recommendations to enhance project outcomes;
• Prepare detailed reports, presentations, and documentation to communicate findings and progress to stakeholders;
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure the successful execution of projects;
• Monitor and evaluate project performance, identifying areas for improvement and innovation;
• Stay updated on trends, policies, and best practices related to rural livelihoods and entrepreneurship;
• End-to-end coordination with the field team, including field visits, would be the core responsibility of the candidate.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 3 years of programmatic and analytical experience in relevant domains.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of small growing businesses and DAY-NRLM projects;
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and provide actionable insights;
• Superior writing skills, with the ability to produce clear, concise, and compelling reports and documentation;
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously;
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment;
• Advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g., Business, Economics, Development Studies);
• Experience working with government or non-profit organisations on DAY-NRLM or similar projects.

If you meet the above qualifications and are passionate about supporting small businesses and driving impactful projects, we would love to hear from you.

Application Instructions: 

Deadline: Applications will be open till the position is filled. To apply, please collate your resume, a cover letter and writing sample in a single PDF and apply in the form here. 

Note: Due to the large volume of applications we receive, we are unable to contact each candidate individually regarding the status of their application. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interview purposes.