NFPRC is seeking dynamic and enthusiastic young scholars to join the team as Research Associates(RAs). The RAs form the intellectual powerhouse of NFPRC, who drive the aspirations of their team, working directly under one or more RFs. Their research leads the efforts of their team.

The appointment is full time, and permanent, based out of New Delhi. Travels will be expected.

Research Associates are responsible for the quality and delivery of the work assigned to their Research Fellows.

General

• Commitment to the idea and philosophy of India as an embodiment of a nation and a culture
• Engage with a culturally diverse group of people both within and outside NFPRC
• Recognize organizational values and goals
• Contribute to self and organizational learning across domains
• Organize and participate sessions, events and dialogues within the aegis of NFPRC
• Ability to work with people of diverging viewpoints and personality
• Work closely in professional capacity with people, industries, bodies that the Executive Body of NFPRC recommends
• Continuously monitor designs and implementation of ideas coming out of the Research Group to ensure academic excellence and integrity
• Ability to handle stress, and multiple projects at the same time

Research

• Conduct and/or help conduct original, empirically-sound, high-quality and in-depth research on policy projects that come to the Research Group
• Help build and foster research partnerships across other Research Groups as well as with universities, industry partners and other stakeholders, in consultation with the Executive Body of NFPRC
• Prepare impactful reports, research notes, presentations and engage with relevant stakeholders
• Coordinate and organize continuous engagements with the governments, and members of Research Advisory Council of NFPRC to advance the agenda of NFPRC’s Research Group.
• Actively participate in, and where necessary help to organise, research seminars, workshops and other research and training activities of NFPRC
• Organize and attend consultative sessions with stakeholders
• Help mobilize grants, projects, new programs and reshape policy thinking in NFPRC inspired by immediate as well as long term local and global needs
• Publish in high quality peer-reviewed articles in refereed journals
• Build knowledge inventory to be used to publish opinion pieces and shorter op-eds in national dailies
• Ensure the quality management of any written work produced by the Research Group

Leadership & Administrative

• Actively participate in NFPRC meetings and contribute to planning activities or other work to support capacity building in the organization
• Contribute to, or present research to the public to elevate awareness of important developments in the policy domain of the Research Group, and promote critical enquiry and debate within NFPRC wherever appropriate
• Promote research, scholarly activities and outreach that will advance the academic/advisory excellence of Research Fellows and other Research Associates in research and professional capacity
• Demonstrate and promote values of NFPRC including diversity of thoughts, knowledge creation and high standards of ethics and integrity

As an RA, you will typically have a Master’s/Postgraduate- equivalent degree/certificate from a globally renowned university/higher education institution. In special cases, we can consider candidates with Bachelor’s degree, with meaningful and relevant experience. Your academic credentials need to be excellent. You will also have a policy research and/or policy implementation experience of about one to three years, preferably in an environment which favours both rigour and efficiency. One may want to draw an analogy from the background of an excellent consultant who has her feet tied to the ground and who recognizes the value of good research; or an academic who aspires to work in an action-packed environment, who knows the need for sense of urgency in policy matters. In either case, the idea is to combine a thinker and a doer, with a little bit of sense of humour (working with government extensively will require the last one the most).

Applicants with a fertile mind and dynamic attitude looking to work in action-research environment, with an aim to make a difference in people’s lives through policy, may find this opportunity to be of interest. Government, academia and industry will be the intersection of most of the work.

Essential

• A Master’s/ Postgraduate-equivalent degree in relevant subject from a globally reputed university, with outstanding educational qualifications, or a Bachelor’s from an institution of global excellence with some work experience
• Ability to engage with civil society, diplomats and those engaged in international bodies for facilitating global cooperation
• An emerging teaching/research/advisory track record, demonstrated by policy experience (planning or implementation or both) and recognition of high-quality research outputs
• Experience in working with minimal supervision, and ability to prioritise tasks to achieve project objectives within timelines
• Demonstrated capacity to communicate research concepts to technical and non- technical audiences, particularly international audience
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, demonstrated by presentation of research results at conferences, internal forums and through report submissions
• Ability to read and write in English quickly and effectively
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including an ability to interact with internal and external stakeholders (academic, administrative and support staff both within and outside NFPRC)
• One-three years of relevant experience of working in the domain area of the Research Group
• Ability to draw large scale insights, as well as possessing an eye for detail
• Entrepreneurial understanding of dynamically challenging organizations and landscapes
• Strong EQ

Desirable

• Relevant exposure in the field of interest
• Experience or interest in cross-disciplinary projects
• A demonstrated interest in research and policy innovation
• Networking skills and an ability to build and nurture external contacts and partnerships, working with government organisations as well as international organizations
• Familiarity or openness towards diverse views and managing conflict

Process
Interested candidates are requested to send an email to samparka@nationfirstpolicy.org attaching the following:

• A CV listing educational background, publications, consultations, talks, advisory experience, projects, and other applicable experience
• Two names and contact details of referees who NFPRC can get in touch with

If your CV is longlisted, we will send you an Application Form with some key, subjective questions to know more about your skills and attitude.

After shortlisting of the forms, you will be called for a minimum of one round of interview.
The interviews may take place online or physically, although we strongly prefer the latter.

Successful candidate is expected to report in New Delhi immediately after selection. Selection will be on rolling basis and we hope to fill the vacancy before April-May 2021.

Note: Personal data provided by applicants will be kept confidential and used for recruitment purpose only.