Desk Research Specialist

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in India.

📋 Description

• Conduct comprehensive analyses at the state level focusing on political economy, governance, historical context, and socio-economic factors.

• Lead thorough secondary research utilizing academic, policy, and practitioner resources to comprehend the elements influencing individuals' values, beliefs, and attitudes.

• Monitor significant policy, regulatory, and governance changes in targeted states.

• Establish research questions and hypotheses based on contextual insights and policy knowledge.

• Create and institutionalize frameworks for the systematic tracking of state-level data, policies, and developments.

• Generate concise and user-friendly knowledge products, including state profiles and analytical presentations for internal stakeholders.

• Evaluate the climate policy landscape in India at both central and state levels.

• Analyze policies, schemes, and programs that have direct and indirect climate relevance across various sectors.

• Monitor the evolution of policies, implementation dynamics, and institutional roles across states.

• Simplify complex policy landscapes into clear and accessible formats that facilitate further work by research and engagement teams.

• Identify gaps, overlaps, and strategic opportunities within the policy ecosystem.

• Collaborate closely with the research team to enhance study design and refine analytical framing.

• Assist in primary research through contextual insights, evidence synthesis, and real-time research support.

• Contribute to enhancing the overall quality, coherence, and rigor of research outputs.

⛳️ Requirements

• A minimum of ten years of experience in desk research, policy research, academic research, or related fields.

• Proven ability to distill complex information into original insights and frameworks.

• Strong foundation in social science disciplines, including public policy, political economy, sociology, or behavioral science.

• In-depth knowledge of Indian socio-political contexts, regional diversity, and governance structures.

• Experience in analyzing policy environments and linking them to social and behavioral outcomes.

• Exceptional writing and analytical skills, capable of producing clear, structured, and high-quality outputs.

• Experience in building knowledge systems, repositories, or research frameworks.

• Ability to operate independently while effectively influencing cross-functional teams.

• Strong judgment regarding source credibility, evidence quality, and analytical rigor.

• A genuine curiosity and sustained interest in topics such as climate change, governance, social values, and social transformation.

• Experience working with central or state government institutions will be viewed as an advantage.

🏝️ Benefits

• Equal Opportunity Employer

• Inclusive environment for all employees