Vidhi invites applications for the post of Research Fellow for the Kotak Karma-Vidhi Inclusive Education Programme.

This is a 1 year, full-time position based out of New Delhi. Salary will be commensurate to the level of skills and experience.

About Vidhi

The Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy (“ Vidhi ”) is an independent think tank doing legal research to make better laws and improve governance for the public good. Vidhi is committed to producing legal research of the highest standard with the aim of informing public debate and contributing to improved governance. Vidhi works with Ministries of the Government of India and State Governments, as well as other public institutions, providing research and drafting support at various stages of law-making.

About the Kotak Karma – Vidhi Inclusive Education Programme

This programme aims to identify and address the legal and policy gaps in relation to inclusive education in India, to create greater awareness within the government regarding these gaps, and to make recommendations for reform. It aims to achieve this through:

(i) Empirical, and/ or socio-legal research on the framework of rights and regulation in relation to inclusive education in India and its implementation

The programme specifically looks at inclusion at the level of pre-primary and elementary schooling; inclusion in non-state schools; and inclusion of children with disabilities in ‘mainstream’ schools.

Role Description

The Research Fellow will be expected to assist the team in:

• Designing and implementing empirical and/ or legal research to achieve the aims of the programme;

• Designing and implementing rights-based advocacy interventions and communications efforts, to create awareness about the legal and policy gaps in relation to inclusive education (as per research of the team) across various stakeholders;

• Writing research reports, academic articles, policy briefs, opinion-editorials to present the findings of the programme.

Eligibility Criteria

Essential Requirements

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• A graduate degree in law.

• Strong academic writing skills and drafting skills – Demonstrable through authored academic papers, reports, policy briefs, and / or op-eds

• 2-5 years experience working in a relevant research position, with demonstrable skills and training in legal research.

• Demonstrable interest in the field of education, gender, and/ or disability rights will be preferred.

• Ability to work independently

Preferable Requirements

Willingness to travel

Experience in designing primary research studies, data collection tools (quantitative or qualitative) and conducting / supervising data collection will be preferred

Demonstrable skills in communications and advocacy work

Application Process

Interested candidates should apply through our online portal and must submit following documents

• Latest Curriculum Vitae (CV) in not more than two A4 pages;
• An original writing sample of not more than 1000 words (not including the reference list) with an in-depth analysis on any relatively recent issue in the sector of education, that demonstrates the candidate’s writing skills;
• A brief statement of motivation in applying for the position, in not more than 500 words;
• Names and contact details of two professional referees who may be contacted for references.

The deadline to submit applications is 30th January, 2023.

Queries may be sent only through email, addressed to [email protected]. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.