Associate Head, Karya Institute

About Karya:

Why was Karya on the cover of the Time Magazine , highlighted by Satya Nadella , and chosen by Google as its partner for Project Vaani?

In part, because Karya is on a mission to provide AI enabled earning and learning opportunities to economically underserved communities, thereby building a pathway out of poverty for them. Karya achieves this while also delivering high quality, timely, and price competitive data to its clients.

Karya’s workers make at least 20 times the Indian minimum wage and through our one-of-a-kind digital work platform, we have delivered over 40 million digital tasks and are poised to positively impact over 100 thousand workers by the end of the year. In the coming years, our goal is to rapidly scale our impact by bringing economic opportunities to millions of underserved users in India.

The Associate Head, Karya Institute position offers an exciting opportunity for an experienced researcher to lead evidence generation around labour, skilling and markets, in the context of digital gig work, as it relates to the future of work in the world of AI and global digitization. We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Associate Head for Karya Institute who will play a critical role in shaping our research agenda and driving key initiatives related to skilling, labour, and markets. This is a mid-level management role where you will lead a team of research specialists and work closely with key stakeholders, including donors, project partners, and senior leadership. As the Associate Head, you will oversee and manage a diverse portfolio of research projects, ensuring timely delivery of impactful results. You will also serve as the Principal Investigator on most projects, leading the design, execution, and dissemination of research findings.

The Karya Institute is an internal research think tank with the core aim of understanding what an ethical future of work looks like for low-income people.

As we see AI being poised to take over even the most technical of jobs, we must also ask the important question of what does this mean for those who are un-or under-employed? To address this, it is key to unlock three things:

1. How are digital markets growing and what are the potential employment opportunities within these areas?
2. What are the skills individuals need to develop to serve these markets?
3. How must the labour landscape transform to ensure digital work is ethical?

Location & Reporting

This role is based out of Bengaluru (hybrid office), residence in/shifting to Bengaluru is mandatory. This role may require moderate travel (up to 25%). The post will report to Co-Founder & Chief Impact Officer - Safiya Husain. The Associate Head, Karya Institute will have the opportunity not only to lead research, but also engage with a multitude of donors, clients, researchers and participants.

Key Responsibilities:

Team Leadership and Research Oversight

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of research specialists focused on skilling, labor, and market-related issues.
• Develop and implement a cohesive research strategy to advance Karya Institute’s objectives.
• Ensure high-quality, rigorous research across all projects, maintaining alignment with Karya’s mission and goals.

Project Management and Donor Engagement

• Lead and manage a portfolio of research projects, ensuring the effective execution of tasks, milestones, and deliverables.
• Collaborate with donors, partners, and other external stakeholders to secure funding and manage project timelines.
• Provide regular progress reports to donors and senior leadership, ensuring clear communication and timely feedback.

Research Design and Execution

• Act as Principal Investigator on a range of research projects, including overseeing design, data collection, analysis, and publication of findings.
• Ensure that all research outputs are rigorous, relevant, and impactful, and are communicated effectively to both academic and non-academic audiences.
• Lead the publication of research papers, policy briefs, and other dissemination materials to maximize the impact of the research.

Strategic Contribution and Thought Leadership

• Contribute to the development of new research themes and identify emerging trends in skilling, labor, and market dynamics.
• Represent Karya Institute in external forums, conferences, and other public events to promote our research and expand our impact.
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the research team.

Qualifications:

Education: Master’s degree or PhD in Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or a related field.

Experience: At least 6+ years of experience in a research-focused role, with demonstrated expertise in labor economics, workforce development, or related domains.

• Proven track record in managing complex research projects, from inception to publication.
• Experience working with donors, funders, and stakeholders to manage project budgets and timelines.
• Familiarity with quantitative and qualitative research methods, data analysis, and research dissemination.

Leadership: Strong leadership and management skills, with experience leading and mentoring a team of researchers.

Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to publish high-quality research in academic or policy-focused outlets.

Skills: Strong analytical abilities, project management expertise, and familiarity with the policy landscape in skilling, labor, and markets.

Factors for Success:

• A self-motivated individual who takes full ownership of tasks, and doesn’t require hand-holding. This role will come with a lot of responsibility and autonomy and we’re keen on self-starters who are eager to learn and contribute.
• Passion for Social Impact: A genuine interest in contributing to the field of workforce development and understanding the nuances of labor markets.
• Collaboration & Adaptability: Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams and adapt to changing priorities.
• Entrepreneurial Mindset: Self-driven, proactive, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Global Perspective: Awareness of global trends in labor, skilling, and markets, and the ability to contextualize research in both local and international settings.
• Extensive social science qualitative and quantitative design and analysis experience required with a strong preference for those with a specialisation in development economics or impact evaluation.
• Exceptional communication and presentation abilities, both written and verbal.

Proficiency in GSuite, R/Python/STATA/Tableau, NVIVO/MaxQDA

People matter at Karya and these are some of the perks and benefits we created for our team:

• Flexible vacation and leave policy
• Flexible work options
• Insurance as per industry standards
• Access to industry stalwarts and networking opportunities

Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to their race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability.

Karya invites all qualified interested applicants to apply for career opportunities. If you are a person with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to use our search to apply for a career opportunity, reach out at [email protected].