Research Associate (Action Labs)

Bharat Digital; New Delhi; Hybrid; INR 600,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

Bharat Digital in New Delhi is looking for a Research Associate to develop research products and tools in local governance. The ideal candidate will have a postgraduate degree and 1-2 years of experience, specializing in public finance or climate. Responsibilities include conducting literature reviews, field research, and managing training resources. The role allows for remote work and is essential for supporting action lab programs and policy stakeholders.

Qualifications

• 1-2 years of relevant research or programme experience, ideally in local governance or climate and environment.
• Strong research and writing skills for practitioner and policy audiences.
• Familiarity with India’s Panchayati Raj system is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Conduct rigorous literature reviews and desk research for developing toolkits.
• Contribute to training curricula and capacity building resources in the Action Lab.
• Conduct field research including interviews and focus group discussions.

Skills

Literature Review

Technical Writing

Field Research (Interviews/FGDs/Observations)

Data Analysis

Education

Postgraduate degree in public policy, development studies, political science, economics, or related field

Job description

# Research Associate (Action Labs)OpenFULL TIMEY1 3RemoteFoundation for Responsive Governance (ResGov)All jobs## About this roleThe Research Associate will be responsible for developing the research products, technical frameworks, and practical tools for the Action Lab. This is a role for someone who is equally comfortable synthesising academic literature and conducting field research, and who is motivated by the idea of producing work that practitioners and policymakers can apply in their work.The role sits at the intersection of research and practice. The RA will work closely with the Action Lab Lead and programme team, contributing to both the knowledge production side of the Lab and its implementation.## Responsibilities1. Developing Knowledge Products• Conduct rigorous literature reviews and desk research to inform the development of toolkits, frameworks, and knowledge products on local governance, public finance, and climate adaptation• Develop practical, field-validated tools and frameworks that can be used by elected representatives, Panchayat functionaries, and government officials - including application-based frameworks and capacity-building guides• Document field evidence in the form of case studies, working papers, and policy briefs that contribute to the organisation’s research agenda and external positioning• Over time, identify opportunities for new niche research and toolkit development that can deepen ResGov’s engagement.2. Programme Development• Contribute to the design and continuous improvement of training curricula, facilitation guides, and capacity building resources used in Action Lab programmes• Support the Action Lab team with data analysis and evidence to inform programme decisions and strategy• Contribute to monitoring and evaluation frameworks that capture programme outcomes in a form useful to funders, government partners, and policy stakeholders• Support proposal development and grant reporting by providing research inputs, programme evidence, and data analysis3. Field Work• Conduct field research in Karnataka and other geographies as required, including interviews, focus group discussions, and observation of programme activities• Visit field sites regularly to gather primary data, validate frameworks and tools in practice, and document ground-level evidence• Engage directly with EWRs, Panchayat functionaries, and community members to ensure that knowledge products are grounded in the actual contexts and constraints of local governance• Support the identification and documentation of case studies from the field, capturing both successes and failures with rigour and honesty## Requirements• Postgraduate degree in public policy, development studies, political science, economics, environmental studies, or a related field• 1-2 years of relevant research or programme experience, ideally in local governance, public finance, rural development, or climate and environment• Strong research and writing skills - ability to synthesise complex bodies of literature into clear, accessible outputs for practitioner and policy audiences• Experience with both qualitative and quantitative research methods; comfort with field research and primary data collection• Familiarity with India’s Panchayati Raj system, local governance structures, or rural development programmes is an advantage• Working knowledge of Kannada is desirable for field interactions in Karnataka; not mandatory• Ability to work independently, manage multiple workstreams, and communicate proactively in a small, fast-moving team## Skills & TechnologyLiterature ReviewDesk ResearchTechnical WritingQualitative ResearchQuantitative ResearchPrimary Data CollectionField Research (Interviews/FGDs/Observations)Curriculum DesignToolkit DevelopmentCase Study DocumentationData AnalysisPolicy Brief PreparationStakeholder Engagement (EWRs/Panchayat Functionaries)Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework DesignMulti-workstream ManagementPanchayati Raj System FamiliarityLocal Governance ExpertiseRural Development Program KnowledgeProposal DevelopmentGrant Reporting## Compensation & DatesSalary not disclosedValid through 6/14/2026## LocationNew Delhi, Delhi, IndiaRemote allowedTimezone: Asia/Kolkata### Ready to apply?Read more about the application process on the organization's website.Apply Now