JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
POSITION TITLE: Associate – Qualitative Insights and Strategy
LOCATION: Noida
LENGTH OF ASSIGNMENT: Yearly contract, extendable subject to availability of funds
ABOUT POPULATIONCOUNCIL CONSULTING (PCC)
PopulationCouncil Consulting Pvt. Ltd. is a global advisory firm providing evidence-based solutions to governments, non-profits, multilateral and bilateral agencies, corporations, foundations, and philanthropists across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Our services include strategic advisory, data and evidence synthesis, program design, implementation, monitoring and research, process and impact evaluations, professional development, and technology-focused solutions. The firm’s multidisciplinary global team of professionals and consultants combines technical expertise, strategic thinking, and innovative solutions to support its clients and create a positive, lasting impact. Please visit us at www.popcouncilconsulting.com to learn more.
Position Description
The Associate - Qualitative Insights and Strategy will play a pivotal role in supporting PCC’s evidencebased research initiatives across diverse thematic areas, including public health, health systems, gender equality, and climate change. This position is designed for a motivated early-career researcher passionate about using qualitative methodologies to uncover programmatic information and deep-seated social insights integral to monitoring, learning, and evaluation (MLE). The Associate will work closely with senior researchers and multidisciplinary teams to provide end-to-end support in qualitative data management and evidence synthesis, while contributing to strategic and technical insights for effective MLE. He/she will design tools, provide training to the field team, manage data collection, and contribute to high-impact analysis that informs policy and practice.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Research Design and Preparation
- Conduct comprehensive desk reviews and literature searches to ground research projects in existing evidence.
- Assist in the development and pre-testing of qualitative research tools, including but not limited to guidelines for In-Depth Interview (IDI), Key Informant Interview (KII), Focus Group Discussion (FGD), and observation Checklists.
- Suggest innovative fit-for-purpose qualitative methodologies.
- Support the Institutional Review Board (IRB) application process to ensure all research meets ethical standards.
- Undertake training of field investigators on qualitative tools, ethical protocol, informed consent procedures and safeguarding of research participants.
2. Data Collection and Field Coordination
- Conduct or facilitate qualitative data collection both in person and virtually.
- Supervise and monitor field teams or external data collection agencies to ensure adherence to protocols and data quality.
- Travel to various project sites (nationally or internationally) to monitor data collection and engage with block, district and state-level stakeholders as part of fieldwork and consultation processes.
- Monitor fieldwork progress, provide troubleshooting support and ensure timely submission of structured field updates and documentation.
3. Data Management and Analysis
- Manage the transcription and translation process for qualitative data, ensuring accuracy and cultural nuance.
- Code qualitative data using appropriate analytical frameworks and software.
- Assist in thematic analysis to identify emerging patterns, trends, and narratives from field data.
4. Reporting and Communication
- Draft preliminary findings, case studies, and sections of research reports.
- Contribute to the creation of presentations, infographics, and technical and policy briefs for diverse audiences (governments, NGOs, philanthropists).
- Participate in internal brainstorming sessions to translate qualitative findings into actionable strategic advice.
5. Other responsibilities
- Support development of concepts notes, proposal writing, publications and reporting for other concurrent projects.
- Assist the team meet data quality, integrity, and documentation requirements across the research lifecycle.
- Undertake any other tasks assigned by the line manager.
Qualifications, Experience and Skills :
- Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Sociology, Anthropology, or a related discipline from a reputed institution or university.
- Demonstrated experience in qualitative research methods.
- 1–3 years of experience in a research role, ideally within the development sector, a social enterprise or a social sector advisory firm.
- Proficiency in qualitative data analysis, including coding and thematic analysis; familiarity with software like NVivo, Atlas.ti, or similar software.
- Experience in coordinating field teams and managing qualitative fieldwork in diverse settings.
- Experience in contributing to high-quality research reports, learning outputs, and client-facing outputs.
- Attention to detail, demonstrated by a meticulous approach to data processing and documentation to ensure reproducible research.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in English; knowledge of Hindi or other regional languages is desirable.
- Willingness to travel to field locations as required.
- Ability to work independently and manage timelines in a fast-paced environment.
- A proactive attitude toward working in a "360-degree" team environment alongside experts from various sectors.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks across different thematic areas (e.g., shifting from a nutrition project to a climate change study) in a fast-paced environment.
If you are interested in applying for this position, please send a cover letter justifying why do you consider yourself the right fit for the position along with your resume (should not exceed 3 pages) through email to: jobs@pcconsulting.co.in. Your email should indicate the job title in the subject line. Only short-listed candidates will be invited to appear for interviews/s (virtual/telephonic/in-person).
PopulationCouncil Consulting promotes pluralism and equal opportunity and is committed and is committed to the maintenance of an environment free of discriminatory employment practices. No individual shall be discriminated against because of his or her actual or perceived age, caste, class, disability, marital status, or religion. Compensation will be based on experience and internal equity.