Research Fellow at DataSense (A Strategic Business Unit of iSocial)

Job Description

Title: Research Fellow at DataSense (A Strategic Business Unit of iSocial)

Company Name: iSocial Limited

Vacancy: --

Age: At least 35 years

Job Location: Anywhere in Bangladesh

Salary: Negotiable

Experience:

• At least 7 years
• The applicants should have experience in the following business area(s): NGO, Development Agency, Market Research Firms, Research Organization, Educational Technology (Edtech) Startup

• PhD or advanced Master’s with significant research experience in Economics, Public Policy

• Specialization in any fields like Digital Economy, Digital Society, Digital Governance, Labour Economics, Labour Migration will be an added advantage.

• At least 7 years
• The applicants should have experience in the following business area(s): NGO, Development Agency, Market Research Firms, Research Organization, Educational Technology (Edtech) Startup

• Age At least 35 years

KEY REQUIREMENTS AND SKILLSET

• Minimum 7 years of overall research experience, including at least 3 years in team management and business development.

• Strong track record of publications, including peer-reviewed journals, reports, and policy briefs.

• Proven ability to engage policymakers, development partners, and civil society with evidence-based recommendations.

• Strong analytical skills with advanced knowledge of statistics and data science.

• Ability to convert a one-line idea into full a research program with research design, methodology and implementation plan.

• Leadership and mentoring skills, including experience in managing research teams and guiding DataSense teams working under multiple projects.

• Strong command of English and Bangla in both written and verbal communication.

• Excellent analytical, report and proposal writing, and presentation skills.

RELEVANT TRAITS

• Problem solving attitude

• Detail oriented.

• Deadline oriented

• High professional integrity.

• Strategic thinker with the ability to influence policy and practice.

• Strong leadership, team management, and mentoring ability.

• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills.

• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities.

• Commitment to social impact, inclusivity, and sustainability.

DATASENSE`S VALUE ADDITION

• Opportunity to shape national and organizational discourse on economy and labour transitions.

• Hands-on leadership in high-impact research with visibility across government, development partners, and academia.

• Professional growth through collaboration with global experts and cross-sectoral stakeholders.

• Access to mentorship from iSocial’s Chairperson, guest trainers and leadership team.

• Platform to build personal and professional reputation through publications, conferences, and policy dialogues.

• Exposure to national and international ecosystem initiatives.

ABOUT US:

iSocial is an evidence-driven, for-profit social enterprise conducting impact business. iSocial specializes in data-driven insights, strategic policy advocacy, skills and entrepreneurship development and innovative solutions design.

DataSense is one of the three core strategic business units (SBUs) at iSocial for research and data intelligence. It offers services to corporates, non-profits, and development agencies in Bangladesh and abroad, as well as to the Government of Bangladesh. DataSense conducts systemic research, policy analysis, data collection, data curation, data analytics for operations management, and evidence-based insights to simplify executive and policy decision-making. This has enabled DataSense to grow into a multidisciplinary team of professionals, educated and trained in Bangladesh and abroad. The research team works out of Bangladesh, Australia, Canada, UK, and USA. DataSense client list includes Helvetas, ICT Division, ILO, UNCDF, UNESCAP, UNDP, UNWOMEN, BMZ and other national and international organizations. iSocial partnered with wide-range of national and international organizations including BILS, Cornell University USA, CSF Sri Lanka, Data and Society USA, Oxfam Bangladesh, Oxford Internet Institute, University of Edinburgh.

JOB OVERVIEW

The Research Fellow will lead DataSense’s research, business development, networking, policy analysis, and advocacy. This role requires strategic thinking, high-quality research output, team management and building capacity, and active engagement with government, development partners, and civil society to shape national and global discourse.

SCOPE OF WORK

• Lead design and implementation of research on various economic and digital issues and produce high-quality reports, policy briefs, and journal articles.

• Write research proposals as a part of business development, providing technical input and participating in partnership development and networking to identify opportunities and win work.

• Conduct policy reviews, impact evaluations, and sectoral analysis to inform advocacy.

• Engage with government, development partners, and civil society to shape evidence-based policy.

• Manage a research team and mentor team members and interns in relevant projects.

• Promote continuous learning practice within organization.

• Represent DataSense and iSocial in conferences, roundtables, and dialogues on climate and sustainability.

• Collaborate with works of two other SBUs of iSocial.

JOB NATURE AND MODALITY

• Full-time (Sunday through Thursday)

• Hybrid modality (4 days in-office, 1 day remote weekly). This may be adjusted based on project requirements.

• Field visit outside Dhaka may be required.

• Festival Bonus: 2

• Salary: Negotiable (Based on experience and competency)

• Subsidized lunch

• Compensatory leave along with other standard leave

• Six months paid maternity leave.