Research Associate

Job Title: Research Associate

Location: Aaghai, Thane District, Maharashtra with monthly visits to Ratnagiri

CTC: Rs.30,000 p.m.

, on Contract

About the Organisation:
The Banyan is a registered charitable trust established in 1993, committed to providing comprehensive mental health solutions for homeless individuals and those living in poverty with severe mental disorders.

We offer the following services:

- hospital-based services, through Emergency Care & Recovery Centres (ECRC) which offer multidisciplinary, person-centred, hospital-based care for homeless people with mental health issues to recover and re-enter stable housing and community living arrangements.
- inclusive living options, through Home Again (HA) supporting inclusive living options and mental health-friendly communities for homeless persons living with mental illnesses who cannot return to their homes.
- And NALAM, a community mental health program that offers holistic care starting from primary levels, led by grassroots workers who combine social care with mental health care and is supported by proximal community health clinics.

In Maharashtra, we are implementing the Home Again programme in Ratnagiri and NALAM in Aaghai, Thane District.

Banyan Academy of Leadership in Mental Health (BALM) is a pioneering organization dedicated to bridging gaps in mental health treatment and care through research, social action, and education initiatives. We work at the intersection of homelessness and mental illness, providing support to Banyan programs.

We work in partnership with civil society organizations, user-caregiver groups, government entities, and academic institutions. These partnerships are operational across 10 states in India and 2 neighbouring countries - Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Roles & Responsibilities:
Implementation Research:

- Engage in all aspects of implementation research, including proposal writing, ethics approval, literature review, data collection, analysis, manuscript preparation, and dissemination of findings.
- Anchor collaborations with academic partners including Madras School of Social Work based on the site

Case Management:

- Support Social Worker in Case Management for Home Again, Ratnagiri

Training Design and Implementation:

- Assist senior trainer in designing and implementing need-based training on topics such as caste discrimination, domestic violence, substance abuse, and community engagement for internal staff.

Documentation and Reporting:

- Prepare structure and process documents for implementation projects.
- Write reports for funders on the impact of the project.

Fieldwork and Quality Assurance:

- Visit implementation sites to conduct quality checks and data validation and ensure adherence to protocols.
- Conduct periodic focus group discussions with relevant stakeholders to understand the program’s impact and challenges and obtain feedback.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

- Work closely with the monitoring & evaluation team to generate output indicators related to performance associated with research projects & funder deliverables.

Collaboration and Team Participation:

- Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings to share insights & progress and collaborate on research & training initiatives.

Required Qualifications and Skills:
1. MPH/MSW/postgraduate degree in psychology or a related field.

2. Previous experience in research related community projects is preferable.

3. Fluency in English, Marathi & Hindi is needed.

4. Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

5. Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

6. Willingness to travel regularly within Maharashtra and also other parts of India, as needed.

Note: This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and is not an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with it.

**Salary**: ₹25,000.00 - ₹30,000.00 per month

**Benefits**:

- Provident Fund

Work Location: In person