Applications Are Invited For Research Assistant – Centre For Development Policy And Management (CDPM).

About CDPM And The Project



The Centre for Development Policy and Management (CDPM) at IIM Udaipur conducts cutting-edge, policy-relevant research at the intersection of development studies and management. CDPM has an interdisciplinary team with expertise in mixed-methods research, education policy, rural livelihoods, CSR, and inclusive development.



This project aims to analyse the ecosystem of CSR-funded educational interventions in government schools across Rajasthan. Despite substantial CSR spending of ₹1,510 crore on education in the state between 2019 and 2024, foundational learning outcomes remain critically below national averages, coupled with infrastructural challenges. The project will map the CSR–NGO–government school ecosystem, identify institutional and operational bottlenecks, assess stakeholder impacts, and develop evidence-based policy recommendations and case studies to improve the effectiveness, coordination, and sustainability of education-focused CSR interventions.



Key Roles and Responsibilities



Qualitative Research and Fieldwork





- Conduct in-depth interviews with teachers, headmasters, NGO program coordinators,
- CSR representatives, and government education officials.
- Facilitate and document Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with students, school staff, and community members.
- Carry out structured observations in government schools to assess how CSR interventions function on the ground.
- Assist in process net-mapping exercises to capture stakeholder relationships and information flows in the CSR–NGO–school ecosystem.
- Spend extended periods in the field, weeks at a stretch when required to ensure thorough and consistent data collection across project districts.
- Document field notes meticulously and maintain detailed records of interviews, observations, and FGDs.





Data Collection and Survey Support





- Assist in developing, piloting, and refining qualitative and quantitative data collection tools and structured survey instruments.
- Lead on-ground survey administration in selected schools and districts.
- Coordinate with local stakeholders, community members, and school staff to facilitate smooth data collection.
- Ensure data accuracy, completeness, and adherence to ethical research protocols in the field.





Data Management and Analysis





- Transcribe, translate (Hindi/local dialect to English where necessary), and organise qualitative data from interviews and FGDs.
- Assist in qualitative data coding and thematic analysis.
- Support quantitative data cleaning and basic statistical analysis using Excel, SPSS, Stata, or R.
- Contribute to case study development by synthesising field evidence into structured narratives of best practices and bottlenecks.





Literature Review and Documentation





- Contribute to the literature review on CSR interventions in education, government school functioning, and related policy frameworks.
- Assist in drafting sections of research reports, policy briefs, and academic papers.





Stakeholder Engagement and Administrative Support





- Support stakeholder engagement activities, communicating with partner NGOs, school administrators, and district officials to schedule and facilitate field visits.
- Assist in organising and supporting dissemination workshops and stakeholder meetings.
- Help maintain project documentation, timelines, and progress trackers.
- Assist with travel logistics, field scheduling, and data collection planning.
- Provide any other research or administrative support required for the smooth execution of the project.





Required Qualifications And Skills



Education





- Bachelor’s degree or above in social sciences preferably Education, Sociology, Anthropology, Development Studies, Public Policy, Economics or related fields





Experience





- Prior experience in qualitative fieldwork – conducting interviews, FGDs or ethnographic observations is required
- Experience working with government schools or NGOs in Rajasthan is an advantage.
- Prior work in education research, CSR evaluation, or social sector studies is desirable.





Skills





- Strong qualitative research and fieldwork skills.
- Proficiency in qualitative data analysis tools such as NVivo, ATLAS.ti, and AI tools for research is desirable.
- Working knowledge of quantitative tools — Excel, SPSS, Stata, or R — for survey data cleaning and basic analysis.
- Excellent written communication skills in English; proficiency in Hindi is essential for fieldwork.
- Ability to translate and transcribe interview data from Hindi/local dialects to English.
- Strong attention to detail, organisational ability, and capacity to manage multiple tasks under field conditions.
- Willingness to travel extensively within Rajasthan and spend extended periods in the field.
- Ability to work both independently





What We Offer




- Opportunity to contribute to high-impact research on CSR and public education in collaboration with a leading IIM Udaipur.
- Exposure to rigorous mixed-methods research design and evidence-based policy work.
- Experience engaging with diverse stakeholders, government officials, NGOs, corporates, and community members.
- Mentorship from experienced faculty and research professionals at IIM Udaipur.
- Potential to co-author research papers, policy briefs, and case studies.
- Professional development through workshops, field exposure, and dissemination events.





How to Apply



Interested candidates should send their –




- Updated CV/Resume
- Cover Letter (maximum 1 page) articulating your interest in the project and relevant experience
- A writing sample from previous research, field reports, or academic work





Last Date to Apply: 10th September 2026