Job Title:  Senior Research Intern (Social Science) (Salaried Position)

About The Tarayana Foundation

The Tarayana Foundation, established in 2003, is a public benefit organization registered with the Civil Society Authority of Bhutan. It works to support, uplift and enhance the lives of vulnerable individuals and communities in Bhutan. Tarayana works with and for rural communities in remote areas of Bhutan in the fight against multiple dimensions of poverty. It does so by complementing the efforts of the Royal Government of Bhutan in promoting prosperity, wellbeing and the four pillars of GNH (sustainable and equitable socio-economic development, environmental sustainability and conversation, cultural promotion and preservation, and good governance).  

 About TCSRD

The Tarayana Centre for Social Research and Development (TCSRD) is the think tank and research arm of the Tarayana Foundation, focusing on action-oriented research. TCSRD contributes to the Tarayana Foundation in realizing its vision of a happy and prosperous Bhutan through three objectives: 1) to carry out action-oriented social development research in the areas of socio-cultural landscapes, political-ecology, behavioral science, anthropological approaches, indigenous knowledge, and rural innovation that ensures bottom-up knowledge and actionable research; 2) to enhance development efforts by creating a repository and storehouse of knowledge from original research by the  Centre and rural development initiatives of the Tarayana Foundation and to provide networking opportunities, knowledge-sharing and linkages amongst researchers, scholars, communities, development practitioners and other agencies in Bhutan, and 3) to develop reflexive approaches, social change pathways and theories of change that help to assess the impacts of the Centre’s research and activities on the ground.  

 About the B-KIND programme

TCSRD’s new research programme on Bhutanese Knowledge for Indigenous Development (B-KIND) focuses on adaptation to climate change, sustainable organic agriculture, holistic food systems and gender transformative change. Launched on August 1, 2021 with funding from the International Development Research Centre, the government of Canada, TCSRD seeks a senior research intern to assist in leading and implementing the actionoriented trans-disciplinary research project. This programme aims to enhance adaptive capacities and resilience of economically vulnerable rural women, men and youth, by developing rigorous evidence-based scientific and citizen-research that informs gender transformative climate adaptation practices and policies for improving sustainable rural livelihoods, integrated organic agricultural-food systems and gross national happiness. 

  B-KIND’s Key Research Themes  

• Sustainable Organic Agriculture
• Climate Change Adaptation
• Gender Equality and Gender Transformative Change
• Indigenous Knowledge
• Holistic Food Systems (food and nutrition security; healthy food consumption, diets and habits; and food production, distribution and value addition)
• Rural and International Development

 B-KIND Programme Objectives

B-KIND aims to catalyze high-quality trans-disciplinary research that supports vulnerable mountain communities, and strengthens scientific research expertise and participatory community-driven research. It also aims to contribute to policy dialogue as well as to generate dynamic and innovative scientific and indigenous knowledge.  

The programme seeks to i) To generate knowledge through scientific and citizen-research about locally appropriate organic agricultural-food systems, tradeoffs and gender transformative practices that enhance adaption to climate change, resilient livelihoods and wellbeing; ii) To implement in pilot sites action-oriented research on the use of best organic farming practices and holistic food systems that enhance the livelihoods of rural communities while strengthening local adaptation capacities, exchange networks and gender-equitable benefits; iii) to strengthen the trans-disciplinary expertise, scientific capacities, leadership and equitable opportunities of researchers, PhD and MA students, research institutions, and science-policy networks to contribute to national goals on climate change, food security, gender equality and gross national happiness; and  iv) to inform evidence-based policy processes in Bhutan related to national plans for resilient organic farming, climate change agenda, gross national happiness, gender equality, and food and nutrition security and to enhance leadership and expertise on multidisciplinary research in the country.

 Job Description: Senior Research Intern (Salaried Internship)  

 Key Responsibilities

 The successful candidate will work and carry out original research, under the supervision and guidance of a transdisciplinary team of senior researchers with expertise in rural development, socio-cultural science, socioeconomics, and climate change. The senior intern will provide assistance to the programme in its project initiation, research implementation, data collection, project documentation, dissemination, capacity strengthening, and policy dialogue components. The senior intern will carry out rigorous and in-depth research, analysis, synthesis, and writing/publication of research findings at high international scholarly standards (with absolute zero tolerance to plagiarism). They will apply collaborative and effective project administration, public-speaking and facilitation skills. The candidate will contribute towards and support the dissemination of research findings to key knowledge users and constituencies through international and national scholarly journals, monographs, policy briefs, visual methods, blogs, media stories, etc., as well as by engaging participatory approaches involving grass-roots community engagement, policy dialogues and networking events. 

This position requires the Senior Research Intern to be proactive in identifying opportunities and innovations that will contribute to meeting the objectives of the B-KIND programme objectives in terms of relevance, quality, ethics, policy impact, capacity strengthening, knowledge generation and social media outreach of the programme, the Centre and the Tarayana Foundation. They must be able to carry out their work in a timely and efficient manner. The successful candidate will be able to work within a large team, independently, as well as with international scholars from different cultural backgrounds. 

 Technical and Core CompetenciesTechnical Competencies

 Research and Knowledge Production  

• Proven ability in carrying out in-depth qualitative field research in rural communities and remote locations of Bhutan (i.e. with an emphasis on qualitative and ethnographic research on sociocultural, politicalecological, natural resources, and gender dynamics)
• Strong knowledge and capacity in conducting ethnographic research on indigenous knowledge, community practices, relations, etc.
• Experience in analyzing, synthesizing and translating research findings into high quality research publications, including carrying out and writing up rigorous literature reviews and annotated bibliographies
• Ability and willingness to contribute to the publication of academic writing in the form of peer-reviewed journal articles, monographs and policy briefs
• Knowledge and background in citizen science research, knowledge and dissemination
• Knowledge and skills in action-oriented research (preferably related to organic farming, livelihoods, food systems and processing, healthy consumption/diets/habits, climate adaption and natural resource management, gender transformative change, indigenous knowledge)
• Ability to collaboratively work with and assist a large research team including senior researchers, doctoral students, etc.
• Confidence and ability to independently present, synthesize and argue research findings in a systematic manner in national and international scholarly seminars and workshops
• Absolute commitment and zero tolerance to plagiarism (with no exceptions)

Capacity Strengthening  

• Experience and/or interest in supervising, mentoring and supporting junior research interns and young professionals to high levels of quality research outputs
• Ability to assist in the planning and implementation of community projects, trainings and activities
• Ability to ensure the ongoing learning and development of programme participants
• Experience and commitment to ensuring the implementation of high quality research programme objectives, outputs and outcomes
• Strong facilitation and training skills with a wide range of researchers from different disciplines, and policy-makers, farmers and community members
• Strong ability to deliver training on qualitative and ethnographic research methods, participatory citizen research methods, visual methods, as well as action-oriented pilot projects on the ground

Policy Influence  

• Knowledge and/or interest in translating research into policy messages that have impact
• Ability and strong commitment to assisting in strengthening of science-policy linkages and CSO-policy networks
• Ability and support the work of informing and influencing policy-making
• Experience in facilitating and conducting trainings with policy-makers
• Experience with policy engagement at the community level (i.e. local governance)
• Experience in writing blogs and messaging in social media platforms

 Core Competencies  

• Strong technical competence and knowledge in B-KIND’s programmatic areas of research
• Excellent project administration skills including the ability to supervise young researchers and interns
• Ability to regularly contribute insights and experiences to colleagues to help achieve high quality results
• Demonstrated professional level of attention to detail and accuracy of work
• Ability to work independently and within a transdisciplinary and culturally diverse team
• Ability to proactively apply relevant international best practices to own work
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task, and consistently meet deadlines and manage time well
• Strong commitment to research ethics and dedication to work for and with community members with respect and humility
• Ability to manage and prioritize to the effective delivery of own work and in support of the work of others
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work in team-oriented and diverse transdisciplinary and cultural environments
• Proven commitment to grassroots communities and to gender equality and youth empowerment
• Genuine and sincere commitment to the Tarayana Foundation’s motto of “service from the heart”
• Excellent demonstrated fluency in written and spoken English and Dzongkha

 Minimum Qualifications and Experience  

 Education

• BA in Anthropology, Sociology, Political Science, Political Ecology, Human Geography, Development Studies, Gender Studies, and other allied social science disciplines (especially focusing on natural resource management, agriculture, food systems, gender equality, climate change, etc.)
• Commitment to carry out MA and extremely probable for exceptional candidates with high academic standing (the candidate must complete an MA within the project duration in a socio-cultural or allied social science discipline, with a focus of MA thesis in one of the B-KIND research areas)
• Preferably, already enrolled and pursuing an MA programme in Anthropology, Sociology,

Political Science, Political Ecology, Human Geography, Development Studies, Gender Studies, and other allied social science disciplines - OR possess a proof of acceptance into MA programme.

Relevant Experience  

• Work Experience
• Preferably possess a minimum of 2-3 years’ professional work experience in research and/or academia and/or action-oriented research

• Technical Knowledge
• Strong theoretical and conceptual knowledge related to BKIND’s subject areas
• Strong knowledge of technical and academic literature in BKIND’s subject areas
• Experience in writing high quality proposals, reports and academic papers for scientific and nonscientific audiences
• Strong knowledge in community-based methodologies and approaches
• Experience in strengthening the capacity of community participants, researchers, and policy-makers Experience in leading and facilitating seminars, workshops, and training programmes
• Solid content knowledge in relation to the Bhutanese context (i.e. culture, environment, climate change, natural resources, organic agriculture, food systems, gross national happiness, etc.) Strong knowledge of word, excel, powerpoint and other office-oriented and research software (including Endnote, etc.).

 Desirable Qualifications

• Familiarity with literature and key debates in organic agriculture, adaptation to climate change, gender transformative change, and/or holistic food nutrition programmes and policies
• Experience with gender-based methodological approaches that pay discerning attention to issues of diversity and heterogeneity of women’s and men’s lived experiences, differentiated by age, marital status, class, life-cycle positioning
• Knowledge in qualitative methods including research instruments such as on-farm field trials, mapping climate vulnerabilities, evaluating agricultural sustainability, assessing livelihood vulnerabilities, and investigating gendered dynamics, needs and vulnerabilities
• Experience in quantitative research methods and analysis
• Technical content knowledge in other countries of the Himalayas or other global mountain contexts
• Experience with qualitative research and analysis software
• Research experience with CSOs Knowledge in French is an asset

 Documents Required for Applying to the Position

 Upon application:

• Cover letter (no more than 1 page)
• Detailed Curriculum Vitae/Resume
• List of publications
• List of at least 3 references (with full name, affiliation, and contact details including email and phone number)
• Copy of Citizenship Identity Card
• Academic Certificates and Transcripts (MA, BA, etc.)

Upon short-listing:

• Valid online approved Security Clearance
• Valid Medical Fitness Certificate for employment
• Valid Security Clearance
• No objection certificate from the employer if the candidate is an employee

 To apply for this position, kindly email your application with the subject heading “Application TCSRD Senior Research Intern” with the required documents to the email address: bkindtarayana@gmail.com. 

 For further information about this position, B-KIND or TCSRD, please contact the TCSRD office at 02 330143 during normal office hours (M to F 9:00 am to 5:00 pm).

 *** Deadline for submission: Friday 17th September 2021 midnight BST ***

 TCRSD actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion, and encourages applications from all sections of society. We especially encourage women research candidates to apply.  

Vacancy Details

Slots : 1
Minimum Experience Required : 3 Years
Qualification : Bachelor's degree
Employment Type : Contract
Job Sector : Research, Audit and Evaluation
Last Submission Date : Sep 17, 2021 17:00

Tarayana Centre for Social Research and Development is looking for a Senior Research Intern

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