Senior Research Manager

Job Title: Senior Research Manager

Location: Delhi/Chennai

Reports To: Executive Director

Arthan is partnering with an organization specializing in the GxD (Gender x Digital) Hub, an emerging interdisciplinary center. It is to address critical intersections between gender and digital through rigorous research, impactful engagement with stakeholders, and ecosystem development. Our work is rooted in a deep commitment to develop gender intentional and overall inclusive digital platforms in the country. To expand the hubs mandate we are looking to hire a Senior Research Manager/Gender and Digital Specialist to build on our research mandate. 

The ideal candidate will come with a strong research background with the ability to manage/oversee multiple projects which will be executed in collaboration with internal teams and external partners. Further, with the expansion of the hubs mandate as an evaluator for interventions in the gender and digital space, the candidate will also design and execute the MLE component for the project. Throughout this portfolio the candidate will be responsible for ensuring clear alignment with the GEDC (gender equality and digital connectivity) learning questions, maintaining consistent messaging and insights across all learning outputs.

Scope of Work

Research Activities-

• Conceptualization & Design: Lead the end-to-end design of qualitative and quantitative research studies selecting appropriate methodologies (e.g., RCTs, quasi-experimental designs) and ensuring relevance to strategic objectives.
• Project Oversight: Directly manage multiple research projects from planning through execution, including budgeting, timelines, and team coordination. Ensure robust quality control measures at every stage.
• Data Integrity: Ensure data integrity, employ statistical techniques, and maintain high analytical standards. Conduct and guide advanced data analysis (quantitative and qualitative) to derive meaningful insights.
• Final Output Development: Translate research findings into concise, impactful outputs(reports, talking points, policy briefs, blog posts, peer-reviewed papers) tailored to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Monitoring, Learning and Evaluation-

• Framework Design and Implementation: Design, implement and refine M&E frameworks(e.g., logic models, theories of change, impact assessment methodologies) that align with organizational priorities.
• Evidence Base: Develop well-structured baseline, midline, and endline evaluation systems that inform real-time decisions and guide project interventions strategically.
• Actionable Recommendations: Generate high-quality, policy-relevant insights that align with GEDC learning questions, enabling targeted solutions for program improvement.
• Adaptive Project Management: Establish iterative learning loops to enable rapid adjustments, ensuring programs remain responsive to on-the-ground realities.
• Insights Generation: Analyze and interpret both internal and external research and evaluation data to produce insights for program adaptation, reporting, and decision-making.

Qualifications and Experience

Education:

Masters degree or higher in Economics, Gender, Development Studies, Public Policy, Business Administration, or a related field.

Experience:

• 10-12 years of experience leading research projects, including managing teams and
• multiple concurrent initiatives.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing and executing both qualitative and quantitative research, including experimental or quasi-experimental impact evaluations.
• Experience supervising staff, managing budgets, and ensuring high-quality project delivery.
• Prior work at the intersection of gender and digital is highly desirable. Candidates with experience in gender, development economics, technology-driven gender initiatives and related fields will also be considered.

Skills:

• Technical skills: Proficiency in quantitative data analysis tools (Stata, R, Python) and qualitative research methods.
• MLE: Strong understanding of M&E tools and frameworks, with a track record of operationalizing them in complex development settings.
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage complex timelines and deliverables.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate research into practical insights