Job Description:
RESEARCH ASSOCIATE - DIRECT TAX SYSTEMS REFORM
Are you a legal professional, or a chartered accountant passionate about transforming India's direct tax ecosystem? Do you want to lead research that addresses critical issues in tax administration, dispute resolution, and regulatory compliance? Here is an exciting opportunity for you.
DAKSH, a Bengaluru-based think tank working at the forefront of judicial and institutional reform, is seeking a Research Associate to join our Direct Tax Systems Reform initiative.
About the Direct Tax Systems Reform Initiative
The Direct Tax Systems Reform initiative is a collaborative research and policy project aimed at addressing critical challenges in India's tax administrationuncertainty, excessive litigation, and prolonged dispute timelines. The project seeks to diagnose structural, behavioral, and procedural bottlenecks in the direct tax ecosystem and develop evidence-based interventions that make the system fairer, more predictable, and more user-friendly.
About DAKSH
DAKSH's work on direct tax reform builds naturally on our core mission: strengthening public institutions to be more responsive to citizens' needs. Just as we've worked with courts, tribunals, and judicial institutions to identify pathways for systemic improvement, we now extend this approach to tax administrationa critical public system that directly impacts economic growth, ease of doing business, and citizen trust. Partnering with veterans from India's income tax administration, this initiative combines DAKSH's strengths in data-driven research, institutional analysis, and multi-stakeholder convening with deep domain expertise in tax policy and administration to create actionable reforms that serve all stakeholders in India's direct tax ecosystem.
This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of tax policy and legal research and engage with stakeholders in the direct tax ecosystem and veterans from India's income tax administration to create evidence-based pathways for reform.
This role is ideal for individuals who combine rigorous research capabilities, strong stakeholder engagement skills, and a deep interest in tax policy and institutional reform. The ability to translate complex technical issues into accessible policy recommendations and build relationships across the tax ecosystem will be critical to success.
Basic Information
Role Title- Research Associate (3 years fixed-term)
Project - Direct Tax Systems Reform
Location - Bengaluru
Purpose of the Job
| Broad objective | To support research, data collection and analysis, and stakeholder engagement for the Direct Tax Systems Reform project, working in close collaboration with veterans from tax administration |
Operating Network
| Key Internal | Employees and Programme Director, veterans from tax administration | Key External | Income Tax Department officials, practitioners, industry representatives, policy researchers|
Key Responsibilities
Research & Data Analysis (50%)
- Conduct desk research on direct tax litigation, assessment procedures, and dispute resolution mechanisms.
- Collect and analyse data on tax pendency, disposal rates, and appeal patterns.
- Assist in developing case studies and sectoral analyses.
- Maintain organised research databases and documentation.
Stakeholder Engagement Support (20%)
- Support the organisation of thematic workshops, roundtables, and convenings - Coordinate with external stakeholders, including tax practitioners, department officials, and industry representatives.
- Document insights from stakeholder consultations and meetings.
- Assist in building and maintaining the tax reform stakeholder network.
Writing & Documentation (20%)
- Actively contribute to drafting of research papers, policy briefs, and knowledge products.
- Prepare background notes for workshops and events.
- Write blog posts, summaries, and communication materials.
- Support development of multimedia content (video/podcast scripts).
- Document project activities and maintain progress reports.
Project Coordination (10%)
- Work closely with veterans from tax administration team and Senior Research Associate.
- Track project timelines and deliverables.
- Provide administrative and logistical support for events and project tasks.
Education and Experience Guidelines
Education Qualifications - LLB/LLM degree, OR Chartered Accountant. A Master's degree in Public Policy would be an advantage.
Core Experience Requirements
- Fresh graduate or up to 2 years of demonstrable work experience in legal research, tax practice, or policy analysis.
- Basic understanding of India's direct tax framework.
- Strong research, data, and analytical skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
- Good interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively.
- Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
- Passion for institutional reform and evidence-based policy making.
Preferable Experience
- Prior exposure to tax litigation or tax administration.
- Experience working with legal/policy research organisations.
- Familiarity with data analysis tools.
- Published articles or blog posts on tax policy or legal issues.
- Experience organising events or stakeholder workshops.
Compensation range: Rs. 10-12 LPA