Research Lead, Centre of Data Science for Social Impact

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 (or Management for the Social Sectors) as a stand-alone domain and an aspirational choice for professionals in the development sector. The belief is that Development Management will significantly scale up the positive impacts on the lives of people in sustained ways.

By 2025, ISDM aims to become the go-to management institute for top professionals wanting to transform the development sector for 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 (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 Organisations (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 student and recruiting organisations 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 Sectors.

ISDM is entering a new phase of growth with a revamped program and renewed focus on establishing itself firmly as a preeminent institution in its domain. This requires strategic and energetic institutional leadership.

Global Knowledge Hub (GKH)

The Centres of Excellence 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 Role

We are searching for a passionate data science research professional, with experience in applied research on data science and experience or interest in the social sector, to conceptualise and lead the research agenda for the ISDM Centre of Data Science for Social Impact, a Centre of Excellence within ISDM.

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.

Centre of Data Science for Social Impact:

Aims to build stronger Social Purpose Organisations (SPOs) through better, more effective organisational decision making, by ensuring that the SPO ecosystem benefits from the data and knowledge it produces as well as open data that should be easily accessible, to create sustained impact at scale from the vast financial, social, and intellectual capital that is poured into it every year.
Over time, become a leading voice and a platform in the ecosystem for a rational, objective view on data sciences for social impact, connecting relevant stakeholders and driving the thinking on innovation and the future of these areas.
Create a shared vision, vocabulary, and metrics for data sciences for social impact and empower the SPO ecosystem with access to evidence-backed knowledge base and cutting-edge common access, open knowledge infrastructure.
Crucially, along with producing and disseminating knowledge, aim to create ready solutions for or consult with SPOs on their data and data sciences requirements.
If you unequivocally believe in the universal human values of justice, courage, compassion & equity, are passionate about doing your part to make the world a better place, excited about creating something new, and eager to be part of the journey of building a first-of-its-kind institution in the world, then ISDM is the place for you. In addition, you will experience working in a dynamic environment, with room for experimentation & high sense of ownership & accountability.

Key Responsibilities:

Conceptualise and create the overall research framework for the Centre, together with the Centre Lead, that enables the Centre to meet its purpose and stated objectives
Convert the research framework into a detailed, high quality research plan that goes into the Centre’s SOP
Own and drive the Centre’s governance process for the research framework and research plans with the Research Council
Independently undertake high quality studies and research using the appropriate methods and techniques
Ensure that the Centre’s research outputs are delivered within committed budgets and timeframes
Lead the production of high-quality research reports and/or publications as required by the donors or for dissemination to the wider academic community, working with the Case and Disseminations Centres
Work with the Dissemination team to convert research outputs into high quality, high impact collaterals that help engage and influence the key stakeholders
Drive and own budgeting, budget tracking and fiscal discipline for all research within the Centre
Lead and promote collaborative research internally (within the GKH) and externally
Hold and manage relationships with the Research Council, Chair/ Academic Director, external research partners, etc.
Together with Academics & SCB, convert research into teaching modules and contribute to the teaching profile of ISDM
Identify skills, competencies, and resources needed to meet the research objectives of the Centre and manage hiring/ resourcing accordingly
Build and lead a happy, engaged, high quality research team

You must have:

10-15 years’ experience in applied research on data science
Excellent written communication skills
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
Be passionate about data science and the social sector
Experience in leading a research team in a project or centre to deliver results.

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.

Please reach out to people@isdm.org.in for more information.

Research Lead, Centre of Data Science for Social Impact

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Research Lead, Centre of Data Science for Social Impact