Please note that this position is no more open. However, we encourage young researchers with more than 2 years of field experience to send their CV and a brief cover letter (not more than 500 words) to prc.india@yahoo.com. Please watch this space for future opportunities.
Job Opportunity: Research Assistant
The Organization
People’s Resource Centre aims to build new infrastructures of solidarity with the valuable fragments of learning derived from collective actions everywhere and the possible alternatives imagined by all people. The initiative seeks to explore the possibilities of bringing the resources back into the people’s powerful control, and to understand whether and how that can eradicate the most persistent problems such as hunger, homelessness, ambient pollution, and social injustices based on caste, gender, religion, and so on. PRC engages with movement groups and communities in the places with the ongoing or potential struggle over resources, and regularly undertakes policy monitoring, research and documentation, and grassroots networking to generate resources for collective resistance and creative action.
Job Brief
People’s Resource Centre invites applications for full-time Research Assistant in Delhi under our Urban and Alternatives programmes. You will assist the Programme Coordinator in executing our research on urban agriculture, local knowledge, decentralized governance, sustainable transport, and other issues under the broader right to the city. The ideal candidate will have excellent oral and written communication skills, passion for community engagement and field work, experience in producing publication-ready documentation on time, and willingness to learn, unlearn and relearn.
Roles and Responsibilities
Working from our office in Delhi (due to COVID19, this requirement has been temporarily relaxed but the applicant should be willing to come to the office whenever the need is), you will be responsible for carrying out the research agenda of the organization and dissemination of findings, identifying new research opportunities, and formulating project proposals. More specifically, the work will involve preparing reports, editing and translation of briefs, assist in community interactions, and managing the social media, blog and public outreach.
Responsibilities would include some or all of the following:
• Familiarize with the objectives, history, and outcomes of ongoing projects
• Execute the activities related to the study of urban agriculture, Master Plan of Delhi-2041, sustainable urban mobility, various discussions on topics such as urbanism, community knowledge, alternative pedagogy, and other research and action projects
• Assist in conducting fieldwork, community engagement, anchoring discussions for public meetings organized by the organization, and similar research activities
• Conduct secondary research, read policy documents and prepare comprehensive summaries
• Collaborate with other team members to write research grants, assist in establishing new research collaborations
• To translate academic research into publications suitable for lay readers/audiences (it includes writing press notes, developing flyer, memo, pamphlets etc., state of the art reviews, and so on)
• Conceptualising and implementing action projects that aim to develop publications such as full-length article, discussion paper, essay, photo essay, short film, any other form of written or audio-visual presentation of publishable quality
Requirements
The candidate should be have graduated in any discipline from a recognized Indian university/institution. Candidates with a minimum of 2 years of prior experience in a civil society organisation will be given preference. Candidates with post-graduate or higher academic qualifications are also encouraged to apply even if not having any prior experience of work. We also seek the following qualities in candidates-
• Passion for creating just, inclusive and sustainable cities with a democratic, participatory and decentralized governance structure
• Possess strong skills of mobilization, public outreach, project management, content development, and be comfortable working in a horizontal organization with a small and distributed team
• Proven organizational skills, excellent oral and written communication skills, ability to read policy documents and prepare reports in Hindi and English language
• Passion for issues related to the urbanisation, democratic rights of vulnerable groups, and sustainability
• Willingness to learn, unlearn and relearn, and to travel extensively in remote parts of Delhi
Candidates skilled in photography, video creation or poster-making and having demonstrated ability to create visual or audio content for social and environmental causes will be given preference. Multilingual speakers are strongly encouraged to apply.
To Apply
Please send your résumé along with a cover letter stating why the position is of interest. Contact: prc.india@yahoo.com
Note: People’s Resource Centre is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on gender, caste, religion, ethnicity, age, marital status, disability, personal appearance, or sexual orientation. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace where our differences broaden our understanding and enrich our experiences.
