Manager (Research)

NSDC; Delhi; On-site; INR 2,000,000 - 3,200,000; Full time

Job summary

National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) invites applications for a senior role to lead strategic research initiatives, guiding methodology, execution, and policy analyses. You will oversee teams across disciplines, ensuring rigorous evaluation, impactful publications, and strong stakeholder collaboration.

You will mentor researchers, drive large-scale studies, and contribute to national skill policy with evident research excellence and partnerships with academia and government bodies.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Economics, Public Policy, Statistics, Development Studies, Education, Sociology, Data Science, or related disciplines.
• Preference for candidates with published research and experience leading large research projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead conceptualization, design, and execution of strategic research projects aligned with organizational priorities.
• Supervise multidisciplinary research teams and ensure methodological rigor and quality across studies.
• Design research methodologies, sampling frameworks, survey instruments, and evaluation protocols for studies.
• Lead impact evaluations, large-scale surveys, and policy research assignments with internal and external stakeholders.
• Publish high-quality research reports, policy papers, journal articles, and knowledge products.
• Provide strategic research inputs to senior leadership, NSDC, MSDE, and other government agencies.
• Build partnerships with academic institutions, research organizations, multilateral agencies, and industry.
• Mentor junior researchers and strengthen institutional research capabilities.
• Lead national and international benchmarking studies and evidence-based policy recommendations.

Skills

Research leadership

Econometrics

Policy analysis

Survey design

Stakeholder management

Team management

Academic writing

Project management

Education

Master’s or PhD in Economics/Public Policy/Development Studies

Tools

Statistical software

Job description

At the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), we are dedicated to empowering India's youth through comprehensive skill development. Established on July 31, 2008, as a not-for-profit public limited company under section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956 (now corresponding to section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013), we operate as a unique Public Private Partnership (PPP) model under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE). Our collaborative structure, with 49% of the share capital held by the government and 51% by the private sector, enables us to be the principal architects of India's skill ecosystem.

We actively support enterprises, start-ups, and organizations by providing funding support, concessional loans, and other innovative financial products. Our mission is to enhance, support, and coordinate private sector initiatives in vocational training, ensuring that financial barriers do not hinder skill development. As the strategic implementation and knowledge partner of the Skill India Mission, we focus on creating efficient training initiatives that open up a world of opportunities in futuristic skills for the potential workforce.

Through strategic partnerships and innovative models, we aim to build a robust skill ecosystem that not only meets current industry demands but also anticipates future trends, empowering India's youth to contribute significantly to the nation’s growth and development.

Job Description

Expected Output:

1. Lead the conceptualization, design,and execution of strategic research projects aligned with organizationalpriorities.

2. Supervise multidisciplinary researchteams and ensure methodological rigor and quality assurance across studies.

3. Design research methodologies,sampling frameworks, survey instruments, and evaluation protocols for researchstudies.

4. Lead impact evaluations, large-scalesurveys, and policy research assignments in collaboration with internal andexternal stakeholders.

5. Publish high-quality researchreports, policy papers, journal articles, and knowledge products.

6. Provide strategic research inputs tosenior leadership, NSDC, MSDE, and other government agencies.

7. Build partnerships with academicinstitutions, research organizations, multilateral agencies, and industry.

8. Mentor junior researchers andstrengthen institutional research capabilities.

9. Lead national and internationalbenchmarking studies, thematic reports, and evidence-based policyrecommendations.

Academic Background:

• Master's degree or Ph.D. inEconomics, Public Policy, Statistics, Development Studies, Education,Sociology, Data Science, or related disciplines from a recognized institution.
  
• Preference may be given tocandidates with published research, experience in leading large researchprojects, and expertise in evaluation methodologies.
  

Experience

• 8–12years of experience in leading research, policy, or evaluation projects.
  
• Demonstratedexperience in designing and managing large-scale research studies, surveys, orimpact evaluations.
  
• Strongexpertise in advanced econometric methods, statistical modelling, andevidence-based policy analysis.
  
• Experiencein managing multidisciplinary teams and coordinating with governmentdepartments, academic institutions, and development partners.
  
• Proventrack record of producing high-quality research publications, policy reports,and strategic recommendations.
  
• Excellentproject management, stakeholder engagement, and communication skills.
  
• Experiencein mobilizing research partnerships, grants, or externally funded projects willbe an added advantage