Job Description:
SENIOR 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 Senior 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 administration uncertainty, excessive litigation, and prolonged dispute timelines. The project seeks to diagnose structural, behavioural, 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 administration - 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 - Senior Research Associate (3 years fixed-term)
Project - Direct Tax Systems Reform
Location - Bengaluru
Purpose of the Job
To lead research, analysis, advocacy and stakeholder engagement for the Direct Tax Systems Reform project, working in close collaboration with veterans from tax administration to identify systemic challenges and develop actionable policy recommendations
Operating Network
Key Internal | Employees and Programme Director at DAKSH, Tax administration veterans | Key External | Income Tax Department officials, tax practitioners, industry representatives, policy researchers|
Key Responsibilities
Research & Analysis (40%)
- Lead research on identified focus areas: faceless assessments, data analytics in tax administration,
- Design research methodologies and frameworks for data collection and analysis.
- Conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis of tax litigation trends, practitioner and citizen's experiences, pendency data, and systemic bottlenecks.
- Synthesize findings into coherent narratives and actionable insights.
Stakeholder Engagement (30%)
- Cultivate relationships with tax officers, tax practitioners, and industry representatives.
- Coordinate and participate in thematic workshops, roundtables, and multi-city convenings.
- Facilitate dialogues between the tax administration, practitioners, and the taxpayer community.
- Conduct interviews and consultations with key stakeholders to gather diverse perspectives.
Policy Writing & Dissemination (20%)
- Lead the preparation of policy white papers with detailed reform recommendations.
- Draft knowledge products including issue briefs, case studies, blog posts, and op-eds.
- Contribute to multimedia content development on tax-reform themes.
- Present research findings at public forums and policy dialogues.
Project Coordination (10%)
- Work closely with tax-administration veterans to align research activities with project objectives.
- Support event planning and execution for workshops and convenings.
- Mentor Research Associates and provide guidance on research tasks.
- Track project deliverables and timelines and reporting to funders.
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
At least 3-5 years of demonstrable work experience in tax law and tax policy, including:
- Strong understanding of India's direct tax framework and litigation landscape.
- Proven research and analytical skills with ability to work with quantitative and qualitative data
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong project management abilities and experience leading research initiatives.
- Ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, legal practitioners, and industry representatives.
- Deep commitment to institutional reform and evidence-based policymaking.
Preferable Experience
- Experience in stakeholder convening and coalition building.
- Published work on tax policy or legal research.
- Data analysis skills using statistical software.
Compensation range: Rs. 16-18 LPA