Senior Research Associate

Daya Rehabilitation Trust; Kozhikode district; On-site; INR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

The Daya Rehabilitation Trust seeks a Senior Research Associate in its Research & Development unit in Kerala. The role centers on planning, implementing, and evaluating rehabilitation and community development research to inform program design and policy.

You will lead mixed-method studies, design data collection tools, analyze results, and produce knowledge products for internal and external stakeholders, mentoring junior researchers as needed.

Qualifications

• Advanced research design and evaluation skills required.
• Experience in applying research to social welfare and community development.
• Strong ability to translate findings into actionable recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Lead research, monitoring, and evaluation activities to assess program effectiveness, outcomes, impact, and areas for improvement.
• Develop research proposals, study frameworks, methodologies, research tools, and evaluation plans.
• Plan and conduct community-level studies, field assessments, surveys, interviews, focus groups, and data collection.
• Analyze qualitative and quantitative data, interpret findings, and translate research evidence into actionable recommendations.
• Prepare research reports, policy briefs, case studies, technical documents, publications, and other knowledge products.
• Present findings through seminars, workshops, publications, and stakeholder consultations.
• Ensure research rigor, data accuracy, confidentiality, informed consent, ethical compliance, and adherence to standards.
• Build partnerships with academic institutions, research organizations, stakeholders, and funding agencies.
• Mentor junior researchers and conduct trainings to strengthen research, data collection, analysis, and evaluation skills.
• Coordinate research activities, timelines, fieldwork, documentation, and reporting to ensure timely completion.

Skills

Strong research design

Qualitative & quantitative analysis

Scientific reporting

Data interpretation

Documentation & communication

Team mentoring

Project coordination

Education

Ph.D. in Social Sciences

Job description

Department: Research & Development (R&D)

Qualification: Ph.D. in Social Sciences

Job Summary

The Senior Research Associate will be responsible for planning, designing, implementing, and evaluating research initiatives related to rehabilitation, community development, and social welfare. The role involves generating evidence-based insights, strengthening program effectiveness, developing research outputs, and supporting knowledge dissemination to inform organizational strategies and interventions.

Key Responsibilities

Program Research and Evaluation: Lead research, monitoring, and evaluation activities to assess program effectiveness, outcomes, impact, and areas for improvement.

Study Design and Development: Develop research proposals, study frameworks, methodologies, research tools, and evaluation plans aligned with organizational objectives.

Community-Based Research: Plan and conduct community-level studies, field assessments, surveys, interviews, focus group discussions, and other data collection activities.

Data Analysis and Interpretation: Analyze qualitative and quantitative data, interpret findings, and translate research evidence into actionable recommendations.

Knowledge Product Development: Prepare research reports, policy briefs, case studies, technical documents, publications, and other knowledge products for internal and external stakeholders.

Research Dissemination: Present research findings through seminars, workshops, conferences, publications, and stakeholder consultations.

Research Quality and Ethics: Ensure research rigor, data accuracy, confidentiality, informed consent, ethical compliance, and adherence to established research standards.

Partnership and Collaboration: Build and maintain partnerships with academic institutions, research organizations, community stakeholders, funding agencies, and other relevant partners.

Mentoring and Capacity Building: Guide research teams, mentor junior researchers, and conduct training sessions to strengthen research, data collection, analysis, and evaluation skills.

Project Coordination: Coordinate research activities, timelines, fieldwork, documentation, and reporting to ensure timely and effective completion of research projects.

Evidence-Based Program Improvement: Provide research-based insights and recommendations to support organizational planning, policy development, program design, and decision-making.

Required Skills and Competencies

Strong research design, methodology, and evaluation skills.

Proficiency in qualitative and quantitative data analysis.

Excellent report writing, documentation, and scientific communication skills.

Knowledge of research ethics, data protection, and quality assurance.

Ability to manage multiple research projects and coordinate with diverse stakeholders.

Strong mentoring, facilitation, and team collaboration skills.

Ability to translate research findings into practical recommendations and evidence-based interventions.