About ISDM

ISDM got seeded as an idea in early 2016 when its founders came together with a common vision to launch a first-of-its-kind educational institution that would develop and groom the next generation of professional leaders and managers for the development sector. ISDM envisions building Development Management as a stand-alone domain and an aspirational choice for professionals in the development sector - similar to what Harvard Business School did for the corporate sector by introducing Business Administration in 1908.

By 2025, ISDM aims to become the go-to management institute for top professionals wanting to transform the development sector for a greater impact on people’s lives. In order to achieve this aim, ISDM has identified three broad focus areas:

Continuously building the one-year long Post Graduate Program in Development Management (PGP-DM)
Creating a strong research function that will lay the foundations for Development Management and leadership as a unique domain and discipline
Launching Strategic Capacity Building Programs aimed at influencing and up- skilling middle to senior leaders in the social sector through special workshops, short-term courses, and customized convening

Since launching its flagship (and India’s first) PGP in Development Management (the equivalent of a one-year MBA) in 2017, the Institution has placed 200 young professionals on an accelerated path to build, manage and lead Social Purpose Organizations (SPOs). ISDM has successfully executed 46 short-term Open Programs across three cities, inducting 142 development professionals from 49 SPOs as ISDM alumni who are now redefining what “impact at scale” means in the development sector. ISDM has created a national character for itself, attracting a diverse range of students and recruiting organizations from across the country. Over these years, ISDM has also built strong partnerships with leading philanthropists, academicians, advisors, and practitioners.

ISDM has audacious ambitions to build a world-class institution, become a global fountainhead of development management knowledge, and define the domain of development management for the Social Sector. The belief is that Management for the Social Sector (or Development Management) will significantly scale up the positive impacts on the lives of people in sustained ways.

Global Knowledge Hub (GKH)

The Centres of Excellence (CoE) are housed within the Global Knowledge Hub, whose role is to strengthen, from end-to-end, the knowledge and practice of Development Management. GKH does this by collating and curating global experiences and knowledge, conducting in- depth research and producing knowledge assets and resources, collaborating to design products and programs for a wide range of target segments that impact the practice of development management and disseminating knowledge as a public good through like-minded individuals and institutions globally. The GKH is undertaking various research projects and studies to achieve its goal of establishing and strengthening the domain of DM. Please read more at www.isdm.org.in

Centres of Excellence

They are independent units, carrying out research studies, engagement, and other activities in specific domains of development management
Their aim is to impact the practice of development management in the Social Purpose ecosystem and significantly scale up the positive impact on the lives of people in sustained ways
They will drive cutting edge thinking and become a global authority in that domain

Job Description

We are searching for a passionate research professional scholar to contribute to unique research studies to understand, synthesise and document the meaning and implications of management practice within the development sector. The studies conducted by the CoEs span across a broad range of stakeholders inside social purpose organisations, donors, the investor community and the thriving support ecosystem that has emerged around the sector. This includes those who provide a range of services related to management, finances, legal, research and others.

The SRA shall support the co-creation and curation of knowledge artefacts (reports/case studies/papers) on development management. Facilitate & support team processes for seamless delivery of planned outputs and goals. As well as contribute to the teaching courses at ISDM within its post-graduate and continuing education offerings. The work will involve co-creation of research study designs, development and validation of research tools, extensive support in data collection & analysis and synthesis & dissemination of study.

Aspiring researchers with a keen interest in looking at and learning from organisations’ experience, leadership and management principles and wishing to pursue further research and study in organisational development and management practice will find this role and opportunity rewarding in shaping their perspectives and areas of further research.

Key Responsibilities

Support execution of research projects and seminal studies through secondary research data collection and analysis (both quantitative and qualitative) for the CoE
The candidate needs to have prior experience in working on impact assessment/Impact assessment tools/impact evaluation/M&E/social impact assessment.
Co-author and support creation of research papers, reports, case studies and other knowledge collateral as per the annual plans of the CoE
Maintain the knowledge infrastructure for the CoE projects
Design and organise online group consultations, seminars, and conferences
Facilitate the capacity building workshops for ISDM research partners
Support working of collaborative teams within and outside ISDM (Academic, outreach, admissions, etc.)
Represent ISDM in workshops, seminars and conferences

Educational Qualifications and Experience Required

2 - 3 years of experience in applied research on philanthropy/data science/Innovative finance or the social sector
Post-graduate or equivalent in Management Studies/Innovative Finance/Economics/Data Science.
Excellent language and communication skills – written and oral
Knowledge of research designs and methodologies
Exposure to social sector organisations
Proven experience of working in complex projects involving multiple stakeholders, partners, etc.
Demonstrated ability to take ownership, have accountability, work in a collaborative, multi-disciplinary team, and strong problem-solving skills

Remuneration shall be commensurate with experience and qualifications. Please send in your applications to people@isdm.org.in

ISDM is an equal-opportunity organization with a particular emphasis on affirmative action. The culture of the organization is one of professionalism while also one that greatly values relationships.

Research Associate, Centre for Innovative Finance & Social Impact

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Research Associate, Centre for Innovative Finance & Social Impact