Research & Evaluation Specialist

About This Role

Are you passionate about using research and data to drive social impact? We’re looking for a Research & Evaluation Specialist to join our team and help measure, analyze, and improve the effectiveness of programs across our NGO partner network.

What You’ll Do

Research Design & Implementation

• Design comprehensive research studies and evaluation frameworks
• Develop data collection instruments (surveys, interview guides, focus group protocols)
• Implement mixed-methods research approaches combining quantitative and qualitative data
• Ensure research methodology meets international standards and ethical guidelines

Impact Evaluation

• Conduct baseline, midline, and endline evaluations for major programs
• Design and implement randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies
• Measure social impact and return on investment for NGO interventions
• Develop theory of change models and logic frameworks

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Analyze complex datasets using statistical software (SPSS, R, Stata)
• Create compelling visualizations and infographics for diverse audiences
• Write research reports, policy briefs, and academic papers
• Present findings to NGO partners, donors, and government stakeholders

Capacity Building

• Train NGO partners on monitoring and evaluation best practices
• Develop M&E toolkits and templates for partner organizations
• Mentor junior researchers and evaluation staff
• Build internal organizational capacity for evidence-based decision making

What We’re Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree in Statistics, Economics, Social Research, Public Policy, or related field
• Experience: 3-6 years in research, monitoring & evaluation, or data analysis
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in statistical software (R, SPSS, Stata) and data visualization tools
• Research Methods: Strong understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies

Essential Skills

• Statistical Analysis: Advanced skills in regression analysis, experimental design, and causal inference
• Writing: Excellent technical writing and report preparation skills
• Communication: Ability to translate complex findings into actionable insights
• Project Management: Experience managing multiple research projects simultaneously
• Ethics: Understanding of research ethics and human subjects protection

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in relevant field with focus on development economics or social research
• Experience with impact evaluation in development contexts
• Knowledge of donor reporting requirements (World Bank, USAID, etc.)
• Publication record in peer-reviewed journals or policy publications
• Experience with geographic information systems (GIS) and spatial analysis

What We Offer

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: ₹8-15 LPA based on experience and qualifications
• Research Budget: ₹75,000 annual budget for research tools and training
• Conference Attendance: Support for attending academic and professional conferences
• Publication Incentives: Bonuses for peer-reviewed publications

Professional Development

• Academic Collaboration: Opportunities to partner with universities on research projects
• Skill Building: Access to advanced statistical and research methodology courses
• Mentorship: Guidance from senior researchers and evaluation experts
• Network: Connections with leading researchers in development and social impact

Work Flexibility

• Remote Work: Flexible remote work arrangements
• Field Research: Opportunities for field-based data collection across India
• Academic Freedom: Time allocated for independent research and publication
• Sabbatical: Sabbatical opportunities for PhD completion or extended research

Current Research Portfolio

Active Studies

• NGO Organizational Effectiveness: Randomized trial measuring impact of capacity building interventions
• Digital Transformation: Evaluation of technology adoption in rural NGOs
• Women’s Empowerment: Longitudinal study of self-help group programs
• Education Impact: Assessment of alternative education models in underserved communities

Research Partners

• Indian Statistical Institute
• Centre for Policy Research
• Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL)
• International organizations and donor agencies

Research Tools & Technologies

Software & Platforms

• Statistical Analysis: R, Stata, SPSS, Python
• Survey Tools: KoBo Toolbox, SurveyCTO, Qualtrics
• Data Visualization: Tableau, PowerBI, ggplot2
• Qualitative Analysis: NVivo, Atlas.ti
• Project Management: GitHub, Slack, Asana

Data Collection Methods

• Tablet-based surveys using mobile data collection
• Remote sensing and satellite data analysis
• Social media and digital footprint analysis
• Participatory evaluation approaches
• Mixed-methods research designs

Application Process

How to Apply

1. Submit application to research@aadyasservices.in
2. Include “Research & Evaluation Specialist” in subject line
3. Provide portfolio of research work (publications, reports, presentations)
4. Share sample of statistical analysis or research code (GitHub link preferred)

Required Materials

• Resume/CV: Detailed academic and professional background
• Cover Letter: Research interests and motivation for social sector work
• Writing Sample: Recent research report or academic paper (max 10 pages)
• Portfolio: Examples of data analysis, visualizations, or research outputs
• References: Three professional references including academic supervisors

Selection Process

1. Application Review: Assessment of qualifications and research experience
2. Technical Assessment: Data analysis exercise using real program data
3. Research Presentation: Present a previous research project to our team
4. Interview Process: Discussions with research team and leadership
5. Reference Checks: Verification of research experience and capabilities

Evaluation Criteria

• Quality and rigor of previous research work
• Technical proficiency in statistical analysis
• Communication skills and ability to translate research into practice
• Fit with organizational mission and values
• Potential for growth and leadership in research

Professional Development Opportunities

Training & Certification

• Advanced statistical methods and causal inference courses
• Qualitative research methodology workshops
• Project management certification (PMP)
• Data science and machine learning programs

Conference & Networking

• American Evaluation Association annual conference
• International Development Research Centre events
• Academic conferences in development economics
• Local M&E practitioner networks

Publication Support

• Co-authorship opportunities with senior researchers
• Support for submitting to peer-reviewed journals
• Policy brief and white paper development
• Blog posts and thought leadership articles

Research Ethics & Standards

Ethical Framework

• IRB approval for all human subjects research
• Informed consent and data protection protocols
• Cultural sensitivity and community engagement
• Transparent reporting of limitations and conflicts of interest

Quality Standards

• Pre-registration of study designs and analysis plans
• Peer review of research methodology and findings
• Open data and reproducible research practices
• Continuous learning and methodology improvement

Impact & Recognition

Research Impact

• Studies cited in government policy documents
• Findings used to improve program design by 50+ NGOs
• Research featured in international development publications
• Award-winning evaluation studies

Team Recognition

• Best Practice Awards from international evaluation associations
• Featured research in academic journals and policy forums
• Invited presentations at major conferences
• Collaboration requests from leading research institutions

Contact & Questions

Research Team Contact

• Dr. Priya Sharma, Research Director: priya@aadyasservices.in
• Research Team: research@aadyasservices.in
• Phone: +91-98765-43212

For Technical Questions

• Data Analysis: analysis@aadyasservices.in
• Methodology: methodology@aadyasservices.in

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Join our research team and contribute to building evidence-based solutions for India’s most pressing social challenges. Your work will directly inform program improvements that impact millions of lives.