Social Science Researcher

**Hiring for**:Social Science Researcher (NRM and Climate Change Adaptation)

**Location : Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR) Pune, Maharashtra, India (On-site)**

**About Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR) and WOTR Centre for Resilience Studies (W-CReS)**

WOTR tackles the key causes of rural poverty by rejuvenating ecosystems and building the community’s resilience to climate change by enhancing water availability, increasing land and agricultural productivity, diversifying livelihoods, empowering women, and strengthening the health and well-being of vulnerable rural communities. Over the course of 30 years, WOTR has worked in 10 states and 6,850 villages, positively impacting the lives of 6.58 million people. Additionally, WOTR has a research wing called WOTR Centre for Resilience Studies (W-CReS), which undertakes multi-stakeholder, applied research on ground-level problems using a trans-disciplinary approach. W-CReS studies how drivers of change impact communities, understands underlying causal relationships and behavioural motivations, identifies effective strategies that can catalyse behavioural change, builds capacities, and contributes to policy and program design. Both WOTR and W-CReS work in close collaboration with civil society entities.

**A brief snapshot of the Role**:
You would be involved in benchmarking sampling and research methodologies, delivering impactful research publications, and developing evidence-based tools and models for community engagement. You would also be writing grant proposals, securing funding, and communicating research outcomes to varied audiences, from policymakers to the public.

**Key Deliverables**:

- Helping benchmark Sampling and Research Methodology Strategies
- Deliver Research Publications (reports, journal articles, policy briefs)
- Support in creating a repository of evidence-based/demonstrable tools/games/models to help create impacts at a community level and with multiple stakeholders
- Write grant proposals and secure funding for future research projects
- Willing to travel to different field locations within and outside the state
- Communicate research results to diverse audiences, including policymakers, practitioners, and the general public
- Collaborate with research & academic institutions, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on research projects and dissemination of findings
- Design and conduct training and capacity building events
- Stay updated on recent developments and trends in social science research and integrate these into the organization’s work

**Qualifications Required**:

- PhD / MPhil/MA. in Social work, Sociology, Anthropology, Environmental Studies, Natural resource management, Development Studies, or other relevant fields

**Work Experience**:

- 7 years (for Masters); 5 years (for MPhil); 3 years (for PhD)

**Skills Required**:

- Experience in leading research on social dimensions of natural resource management, climate change adaptation and mitigation, sustainable development, and environmental governance
- Designing and implementing both qualitative and quantitative applied research studies/projects
- Knowledge and practice of relevant software in quantitative, qualitative research, and referencing
- Demonstrable knowledge in interdisciplinary research and impact assessments
- Research articles published in peer-reviewed journals/Scopus indexed/high impact factor journals
- Field experience of working in the rural context and coordination with research work
- Interpersonal and team working skills
- Good communication/writing skills in English and knowledge of local languages (Marathi & Hindi) is an added advantage

**To Apply**: Click here to apply