Research Manager/Senior Manager

About Indus Action -

At Indus Action, we are on a mission to unlock public welfare through a collaborative approach as a 'Do-Tank'. We seek empathetic, driven, and action-oriented team members eager to partner with the Sarkar (state) and Samaaj (communities) to make welfare access sustainable and frictionless for vulnerable citizens and their families.

Our vision for a progressive and inclusive society is reflected in our equitable compensation structures, transparent organisational policies, and supportive work culture. As an aspiring Deliberately Developmental Organisation (DDO), we embody our values of Listen. Act. Change by nurturing active citizens and supporting enterprising individuals with a growth mindset—both professionally and personally.

At Indus Action, you are valued beyond your role or title. We foster an open environment with a no-door policy, encouraging collaboration across all levels. If you are passionate about building impactful solutions at scale while learning joyfully, then Indus Action is the place for you

Position Summary -

The Research Manager/Senior Research Manager will work in the field of social research. They will assist in implementing specific surveys, data collection, case studies and primary and secondary data analysis research. They will work with external partner organisations and/or third parties. They will identify research topics from research reviews, design methods and tools for data collection and analysis, and manage project implementation.

The Research Manager will support the design, implementation, and management of a multi-year, mixed-methods longitudinal study evaluating the impact of Section 12(1)(c) of the Right to Education Act and associated welfare entitlements on disadvantaged children, their families (particularly mothers), private schools, and government systems across three Indian states.

The responsibilities of the role will entail the following:

1. Research Design & Implementation

·Support the development and refinement of research instruments, including high-quality questionnaires, interview guides, and ethnographic protocols, ensuring alignment with the study's objectives and mixed-methods approach.

· Oversee the execution of field research, data collection and longitudinal tracking of children studying under section 12(1)(c), ensuring rigorous sampling and data collection procedures.

· Conduct qualitative research, including participant observation, in-depth interviews, and focus groups with mothers, students, school administrators, and government officials.

· Ensure integration of quantitative and qualitative data streams for comprehensive analysis and reporting.

2. Project Management

· Develop and maintain project timelines and task delegation plans; monitor progress against milestones and proactively address risks or delays.

· Supervise and mentor a team of field staff and enumerators, delegating and monitoring tasks, reviewing outputs, and providing feedback for quality improvement.

· Ensure robust data management protocols, including informed consent, data privacy, and secure storage, in compliance with ethical standards for longitudinal research.

· Coordination with internal or external stakeholders for compliance and data access permissions to ensure task completion within stipulated timelines

3. Stakeholder Engagement & Reporting

· Prepare and share progress and data reports for internal and external stakeholders, including funders, state departments and IA leadership team.

· Participate in and organise workshops and dissemination events to share interim findings and solicit feedback from the research ecosystem.

4. Continuous Improvement & Capacity Building

·Stay abreast of methodological advances in mixed-methods and longitudinal research; recommend and implement improvements to research protocols as needed.

· Contribute to the training and professional development of the enumerator/field team, designing and delivering workshops on data collection and survey implementation

Requirements

Knowledge and technical skills:

The role requires expertise in both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, strong project management skills, field work including interviews of parents, children and schools, data collection and quality checks, and managing stakeholders. They are a committed researcher with excellent social and communication skills. They work well with third parties, state departments, and academic institutions.

Essential skills: Qualitative research, Survey design and data collection, Data analysis and visualisation, Project management, Understanding of Research methods

Preferred skills: Data analysis using R, Tableau, NVivo, experience with program management software

Behavioural Competencies and Values

· Citizen Focussed Mindset: place the vulnerable citizen at the centre of every action

· Entrepreneurial Energy: Own your time and resources to deliver solutions

· Dealing with Ambiguity: grace under pressure, progressive elaboration

· Growth Mindset: Every experience is an opportunity for growth

· Collaboration: build productive partnerships with both internal and external stakeholders.

Education and Experience -

● Educational Qualification - Preferred: Master's in Economics, Public Policy, Development Studies, Social Work, Political Science, Sociology.

Or Bachelor's degree in economics, public policy or social sciences with a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience.

● Years of Experience - 2-4 years of relevant work experience in qualitative and or quantitative research, surveys, data collection and project management is preferred, but those who can demonstrate skills transferability to the above roles and responsibilities may be considered.

Benefits

Compensation

The Senior Manager will be compensated based on the Indus Action's compensation benchmarking rubric. The candidate would need to use his/her laptop, and the organisation will bear the annual maintenance cost of up to 12,000 per year, as per actuals.

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