Qualitative Researcher

Team: Strategy & Research (SnR)

Location: Delhi / NCR (Extensive Travel Required)

Type: Full-time

About Kamakhya Analytics

Kamakhya Analytics is a technology-driven research and consulting organisation helping leaders, parties, and institutions decode Indias political and policy landscape. We bring together survey science, data analytics, and strategic insight to answer complex questions about public opinion, governance, and performance. From ground-level fieldwork to advanced modelling and interpretation, every project is built for clarity, accuracy, and impact.

Our teams manage the complete research cycle design, execution, data engineering, and delivery under a single framework of discipline, transparency, and speed. Quality and integrity define our work. We apply rigorous controls in sampling and verification, maintain secure and reproducible data systems, and communicate results that withstand scrutiny.

At Kamakhya, our mission is simple: turn evidence into strategy and insight into action.

About the Strategy & Research (SnR) Team

The Strategy & Research (SnR) team is a high-impact vertical within Kamakhya Analytics.

SnR functions as the central planning, insights, client-facing and strategy unit, responsible for all aspects of the Survey Process.

SnR will:

1. Engage directly with clients from onboarding to closure
2. Design research plans, methodologies, and execution strategies
3. Coordinate with Operations for flawless on-ground execution
4. Own the analysis and final reports delivered to client
5. Lead proposal writing, pitch decks, and business development
6. Drive expansion into policy, governance, and non-political research sectors

You will work directly with the Head of SnR (your hiring manager), acting as their primary pillar of support, ensuring that strategy, insights, execution planning, and client delivery happen smoothly and at high quality.

This is a leadership-building role for someone who wants to shape a team and a fast-growing practice area.

About the Role

We are seeking a Researcher Qualitative & Field Insights who is deeply curious about

people, behaviour, and systems, and is excited to work across diverse research domains.

This role is ideal for someone who:

1. Thinks like a researcher first, domain specialist later
2. Is comfortable working across policy, governance, social sector, and consumer contexts
3. Can independently conduct FGDs, IDIs, and field immersions across geographies

This role will play a critical part in strengthening SnRs primary research capabilities, by ensuring high-quality fieldwork and rich, insight-driven data collection.

This role sits at the intersection of:

1. Field research execution
2. Qualitative moderation
3. Ground intelligence gathering
4. Insight contribution

Key Responsibilities

Field Research & Moderation

1. Independently conduct: Focus Group Discussions (FGDs),In-depth Interviews (IDIs),Stakeholder and expert interviews
2. Travel extensively across locations (urban + rural)
3. Build rapport with diverse respondent groups and extract deep, unbiased insights

Research Execution

Support in designing:

1. Discussion guides
2. Probing frameworks

Ensure research objectives are translated effectively into field interactions

Coordinate with field teams and vendors to ensure smooth execution

Data Capture & Early Analysis

Prepare detailed:

1. Transcripts
2. Field notes

Observation summaries

Identify early themes, patterns, and contradictions from qualitative interactions

Support the team in synthesis and insight-building

Context & Ground Intelligence

Capture contextual and behavioural insights beyond structured conversations

Provide inputs on:

1. Social and cultural dynamics
2. Institutional and governance realities
3. Consumer and citizen behaviour

Learning & Capability Building

Continuously improve qualitative moderation and research skills

Learn and apply diverse research methodologies used by firms such as Kantar and NielsenIQ

Contribute to building strong qualitative research practices within the team

What You Bring

Experience

1. 1 - 4 years in:

• Qualitative research / field research
• Journalism / development sector / social research
• User research / consumer insights (good plus)

Prior experience in FGDs/IDIs is preferred but not mandatory

Skills & Competencies

Strong curiosity about people, behaviour, and decision-making

Ability to listen actively, probe effectively, and build trust quickly

Comfort with extensive travel and field immersion

Strong communication skills (Hindi + English required; additional languages a plus)

Ability to work in high-ownership, fast-paced environments

Education

Bachelors degree in

1. Sociology / Psychology / Political Science
2. Public Policy / Development Studies
3. Journalism / Liberal Arts

Masters is a plus but not mandatory

Why Join us

1. Be part of a high-impact team that will shape the strategy and insights backbone of Indias leading political research firm.
2. Work across political strategy, policy design, administrative research, and other non-political verticals.
3. High visibility role with direct mentorship from the Head of SnR.
4. Opportunity to influence decisions made by political leaders, government bodies, and major private institutions.
5. A chance to contribute to a rapidly evolving practice and grow into a leadership position.