AddressPosition: Research Associate
Location: Noida
About ISDM
ISDM got seeded as an idea in early 2016 when its founders came together with a common vision to launch a first-of-its-kind educational institution that would develop and groom the next generation of professional leaders and managers for the development sector. ISDM envisions building Development Management as a stand-alone domain and an aspirational choice for professionals in the development sector - similar to what Harvard Business School did for the corporate sector by introducing Business Administration in 1908.
By 2025, ISDM aims to become the go-to management institute for top professionals wanting to transform the development sector for a greater impact on people’s lives. In order to achieve this aim, ISDM has identified three broad focus areas:
- Continuously building the one-year-long Post-Graduate Program in Development Management (PGP-DM);
- Creating a strong research function that will lay the foundations for Development Management and leadership as a unique domain and discipline;
- Launching Strategic Capacity Building Programs aimed at influencing and up-skilling middle to senior leaders in the social sector through special workshops, short-term courses, and customized convenings.
Since launching its flagship (and India’s first) PGP in Development Management (the equivalent of a one-year MBA) in 2017, the Institution has placed 200 young professionals on an accelerated path to build, manage and lead Social Purpose Organizations (SPOs). ISDM has successfully executed 46 short-term Open Programs across three cities, inducting 142 development professionals from 49 SPOs as ISDM alumni who are now redefining what “impact at scale” means in the development sector. ISDM has created a national character for itself, attracting a diverse range of students and recruiting organizations from across the country. Over these years, ISDM has also built strong partnerships with leading philanthropists, academicians, advisors, and practitioners.
ISDM has audacious ambitions to build a world-class institution, become a global fountainhead of development management knowledge, and define the domain of development management for the Social Sector. The belief is that Management for the Social Sector (or Development Management) will significantly scale up the positive impacts on the lives of people in sustained ways.
Global Knowledge Hub (GKH)
The Centres of Excellence (CoE) are housed within the Global Knowledge Hub, whose role is to strengthen, from end-to-end, the knowledge and practice of Development Management. GKH does this by collating and curating global experiences and knowledge, conducting in- depth research and producing knowledge assets and resources, collaborating to design products and programs for a wide range of target segments that impact the practice of development management and disseminating knowledge as a public good through like-minded individuals and institutions globally. The GKH is undertaking various research projects and studies to achieve its goal of establishing and strengthening the domain of DM. Please read more at www.isdm.org.in
Centres of Excellence
- They are independent units, carrying out research studies, engagement, and other activities in specific domains of development management
- Their aim is to impact the practice of development management in the Social Purpose ecosystem and significantly scale up the positive impact on the lives of people in sustained ways
- They will drive cutting edge thinking and become a global authority in that domain
Job Description
The Research Associate role at ISDM is an opportunity for young researchers to contribute to unique research studies to understand, synthesise and document the meaning and implications of management practice within the development sector. The studies conducted by the Centre span across a broad range of stakeholders inside social purpose organisations, donors, the investor community and the thriving support ecosystem that has emerged around the sector. This includes those who provide a range of services related to management, finances, legal, research and others.
The RA shall support the co-creation and curation of knowledge artefacts (reports/case studies/papers) on development management. Facilitate and support team processes for seamless delivery of planned outputs and goals. Your work will involve co-creating and co-leading a research project from conceptualisation to dissemination.
If you unequivocally believe in the universal human values of justice, courage, compassion & equity, are passionate about doing your part to make the world a better place, excited about creating something new, and eager to be part of the journey of building a first-of-its-kind
institution in the world, then ISDM is the place for you. In addition, you will experience working in a dynamic environment, with room for experimentation & high sense of ownership & accountability.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the creation and execution of research projects and seminal studies, from determining research questions, creating research study designs, developing and validating research tools (both quantitative and qualitative, and both primary and secondary), creating analysis plans, extensively supporting data collection, data analysis, synthesis and report writing, and dissemination of the research
- Project manage the research, using a project management tool, including communicating with and managing external stakeholders
- Work closely with the Case Centre and the Dissemination Centre to help create knowledge collaterals for cases and dissemination
- Support the maintenance of knowledge infrastructure for GKH projects
- Support and, often, lead the design and execution of relevant events/convening that further the research agenda
- Track and manage budgets for the research/ event/ convening
- Support facilitation of capacity-building workshops
Educational Qualifications and Experience Required
- Post-graduate or equivalent in Management Studies/ Social Sciences/ Economics/ Development Studies/ Public Policy/Administration/ Data Science from a national/international university
- Excellent language and communication skills – written and oral
- Proven ability to support good quality research, knowledge/understanding of the social sector
- Ability to work within short timelines and in mixed teams
- Ability to learn on the job
- Good knowledge of research designs and methodologies – both qualitative and quantitative, both primary and secondary
- Exposure to social sector organisations
- 1 to 4 years of experience of engaging with research and academic teaching support
Remuneration shall be commensurate with experience and qualifications.
ISDM is an equal opportunity organization with a particular emphasis on affirmative action. The culture of the organization is one of professionalism while also one that greatly values relationships.
