Job Opportunity for Head – Research at Leadership For Skilled Education Foundation in Pune, Maharashtra, India

**Job Title:** Head – Research

**Organization:** Leadership For Skilled Education Foundation (LFE)

**About LFE:**

Leadership For Skilled Education Foundation (LFE) is a Pune-based non-profit organization dedicated to improving public education systems in India.  LFE works in partnership with government bodies to co-create programs that enhance teaching-learning practices and improve student learning and well-being.  Their approach involves capacity building for system leaders and teachers, alongside influencing system processes and policies through research and advisory support.  Currently, LFE operates in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, and Tripura, impacting millions of students.  Their belief is that public education systems are crucial for social equity, particularly for India’s most vulnerable children.

**About the Research Vertical:**

LFE’s research vertical aims to generate high-impact, research-based insights on educational governance, middle management capacity, and teacher capacity.  The research informs public discourse, provides transparent analyses of challenges and successes within the public education system, and enhances understanding of systems change.

**Job Location:** Pune, Maharashtra, India.  Frequent travel to rural areas across various Indian states is required.

**Job Description and Responsibilities:**

The Head of Research will lead the research team, managing projects from inception to dissemination.  Responsibilities include:

* **Project Management (30%):** Designing and implementing research processes, annual/monthly plans, data collection strategies (interviews, FGDs, surveys), grant proposals, data analysis, report writing, and dissemination plans (including social media).  This also includes coordinating with other teams and external partners.

* **Team Management (30%):**  Coordinating with partner organizations and field enumerators, building and mentoring a research team, fostering collaboration, ensuring accountability and timely project delivery, and assisting with recruitment.

* **Stakeholder Management (20%):**  Working with senior leadership to secure funding, engaging with existing funders, and submitting timely donor reports.

* **Research Design & Report Writing (20%):** Designing and writing research and grant proposals, conducting literature reviews, data analysis, and writing final reports and media articles.

**Requirements:**

* **Education & Experience:** Master’s degree (MPhil/PhD preferred) in social science, policy research, education, social sciences, or public policy. Minimum 3-4 years of experience executing research projects.  Publication of at least 3 research articles/papers/blogs is required. Prior experience managing small teams is highly preferred. Experience with research on public schools, capacity building, or policy implementation is advantageous.

* **Knowledge, Skills & Capabilities:** Strong skills in quantitative and qualitative research methods and data analysis tools (R, SPSS, Atlas Ti, etc.). Excellent written and oral communication skills (Marathi language skills preferred). Belief in the potential of public sector systems change. Understanding of social equity, development discourse, and Indian education policy. Ability to work autonomously, adapt to changing responsibilities, build relationships with stakeholders, create presentations, and utilize Microsoft Excel and Google Suite.  Patience and resilience are essential.

**Compensation:**  The salary range is 15,00,000 – 16,00,000 INR per annum CTC, commensurate with experience and qualifications.  LFE offers a dynamic work environment.  LFE is an equal opportunity employer.