Senior Research Manager, GxD hub

•  Lead end-to-end design and implementation of impact evaluations and assessments — including theory of change development, evaluation design (quasi-experimental and experimental), sampling frameworks, and data collection instruments.
• Take primary responsibility for multiple evaluation studies, from inception through baseline, monitoring, and end line.
• Design and oversee mixed-method studies that combine quantitative impact evaluation with qualitative process and contextual enquiry, to go beyond gender-disaggregated data to examine structural barriers, intersectional dimensions, and differential pathways of digital and AI system use.
• Ensure methodological rigour: appropriate causal identification strategies (DiD, PSM, RCT), power calculations, sampling validity, and data quality management.
• Lead data analysis, triangulation, and interpretation, with strong command of STATA, R, or equivalent.
• Write comprehensive reports, prepare decks, papers and other knowledge outputs as per project requirements
• Work with Vertical Heads to execute the team’s research agenda and develop new research projects and ideas.

• Manage a team of Research Associates and Research Managers across active projects — setting work plans, reviewing outputs, providing methodological mentorship, and maintaining quality standards.
• Take end-to-end project management ownership: workplan development, budget monitoring, partner communication, and compliance with funder requirements.
• Conduct and supervise field visits to assess implementation fidelity and gather first-hand insights.
• Contribute to hiring decisions for project-related positions and to the performance management of junior team members.

• Produce high-quality research outputs across formats such as evaluation reports, working papers, policy briefs, and conference presentations, to the standard expected for academic and policy audiences.
• Contribute to landscape reviews, synthesis pieces, and thought or methodological pieces
• Support the dissemination of knowledge products to government, funder, and practitioner audiences, ensuring materials are tailored, accessible, and actionable.
• Represent GxD at national and international forums; present findings at conferences, workshops, and policy roundtables.

• Lead or substantially contribute to research proposals and evaluation pitches to funders, including bilateral donors, foundations, and government bodies.
• Work with the Associate Director to identify and pursue external evaluation mandates, positioning GxD as a knowledge and evaluation partner for funders and implementers deploying digital and AI solutions
• Contribute to GxD’s strategy development — including workstream planning, methodological positioning, and thought leadership.
• Proactively identify gaps in the research and evaluation agenda and propose approaches to address them.
• Stay current with developments in development economics, AI governance, and gender-intentional evaluation methodology in India and globally. 

• PhD in Development Economics, Development Studies, Gender Studies, or a closely related discipline with at least 3 years of evaluation or applied research experience; OR Master’s degree with a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in applied research and evaluation in the development sector.
•  Demonstrated expertise in impact evaluation design and implementation, including causal inference methods (difference-in-differences, propensity score matching, randomised controlled trials), power calculations, and sampling frameworks.
• Hands-on experience with quantitative data analysis using Stata, R, or equivalent; comfort with both primary data collection (in-person and remote) and secondary data analysis
• Strong mixed-methods capability with ability to integrate quantitative evaluation with qualitative methods (IDIs, FGDs, process tracing, contribution analysis).
• Demonstrated thematic knowledge in at least two of the following: gender and women’s economic empowerment, digital inclusion and digital livelihoods, AI systems and their social implications, skilling and workforce development.
• Track record of producing high-quality research outputs including evaluation reports, working papers, or policy briefs for academic and non-academic audiences.
• Experience managing junior researchers and leading teams across multiple concurrent projects.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English; ability to translate technical findings for policy audiences.

• Experience designing and implementing evaluations of digital platforms, AI tools, or technology-mediated service delivery, particularly in low-resource or LMIC contexts.
•  Familiarity with gender-intentional evaluation frameworks and intersectional methodologies.Experience working with government counterparts in India, including MoUs, government-commissioned studies, and policy translation work.
•  Peer-reviewed publications or published working papers with demonstrated methodological contribution.
• Experience with proposal writing and engaging with bilateral donors, foundations, or government funding bodies.
• Familiarity with digital public infrastructure (DPI), UPI, and India’s digital ecosystem. 

• Intellectual rigour combined with practical orientation, able to hold a high methodological bar while keeping an eye on what findings mean for women’s lives and policy decisions.
• Genuine commitment to gender equity and intersectional analysis
• Strategic thinker who can connect dots across themes, projects, and audiences.
• Independent worker who takes initiative, manages up and across, and proposes solutions.
• Comfortable operating in a lean, high-performing team with a fast-moving portfolio — adaptable, responsive, and collaborative.
• Sensitivity to cultural differences and gender dynamics, with a commitment to equitable research practice in fieldwork contexts. 

• Curriculum vitae
• Cover letter (no more than two pages) explaining your interest in the role, your approach to gender-intentional evaluation, and a specific evaluation you have designed and led
• One writing sample (a research report, working paper, or evaluation you have authored or substantially contributed to) 

Note: Due to the large volume of applications we receive, we are unable to contact each candidate individually regarding the status of their application. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interview purposes.