Applied Research Insights Lead
Location: India (Remote, with periodic travel)
Experience: 8+ years
Reports to: Co-CEO
Team: Research
Compensation: Competitive, commensurate with experience
About Ek Kutumb
Ek Kutumb is a research organisation working to strengthen the legitimacy and adoption of climate action in India. We conduct deep, values-based research to understand how people think about responsibility, risk, fairness, development, and change. Our approach moves beyond surface opinions and demographics to uncover enduring value systems that shape behaviour and public acceptance.
We translate this research into human intelligence for institutions - helping governments, funders, intermediaries, and large organisations design climate policies, programs, and investments that are socially grounded and politically viable. Our work sits at the intersection of research, public policy, and institutional strategy.
About the Role
Ek Kutumb is a research organisation working to strengthen the legitimacy and adoption of climate action in India. We conduct deep, values-based research to understand how people think about responsibility, development, fairness, and change — moving beyond surface opinions to uncover enduring value systems that shape behaviour and public acceptance.
We translate this research into human intelligence for institutions — helping governments, funders, and other systems-shaping actors design policies, programs, and investments that are socially grounded, politically viable, and realistically implementable. Our work sits at the intersection of research, public policy, and institutional strategy.
About the Role
The Lead – Applied Research & Insights will anchor Ek Kutumb’s research translation vertical and serve as the bridge between deep value-based research and institutional application.
Reporting to the Co-CEO, this role will own the design, quality, and evolution of Ek Kutumb’s applied outputs across states - ensuring that research moves beyond reports into structured, decision-relevant frameworks, diagnostics, and institutional guidance. As a senior management team member, you will help shape how EK integrates research, ecosystem engagement, and government advisory into a coherent operating model.
This is a senior leadership role for someone who combines intellectual depth with operational clarity and is motivated by building a durable translation capability within a young and ambitious institution.
Key Responsibilities
1. Own Research Translation Across Geographies
Lead the development of applied research outputs that convert findings into structured, decision-ready intelligence
Ensure consistency, rigour, and usability across all translation products
Build repeatable frameworks that can travel across geographies and institutional contexts
Maintain high standards in synthesis, clarity, and decision orientation
2. Shape the Applied Research Model
Define and refine Ek Kutumb’s philosophy and methodology for translating citizen intelligence into institutional guidance
Provide structured inputs into the research design to ensure downstream applicability
Identify opportunities to strengthen the bridge between research, advisory, and ecosystem engagement
Evolve EK’s applied intelligence suite as the organisation scales
3. Build and Lead the Applied Research & Insights Team
Recruit, mentor, and manage a growing team focused on research applications
Establish internal processes, quality controls, and knowledge systems
Allocate workstreams across states and institutional engagements
Develop future leaders within the applied research vertical
4. Contribute to Organisational Building
Serve as a member of Ek Kutumb’s senior management team
Support cross-functional alignment between research, ecosystem engagement, and government advisory
Help shape stakeholder prioritisation and long-term institutional direction
Ideal Profile
We are seeking a senior professional with 10–15+ years of experience working at the intersection of research, strategy, and institutional decision-making.
You may have:
Led applied research or advisory verticals within a think tank or policy institution
Built applied research or strategy functions within consulting or multilateral settings
Worked in senior public policy advisory roles
Designed frameworks that translate evidence into institutional action
You bring:
Strong intellectual depth and structured synthesis capability
Experience building and managing high-quality teams
Ability to move from complex research to disciplined, decision-relevant outputs
Familiarity with how governments, funders, and large institutions make decisions
Comfort operating in ambiguity while building structure
A serious commitment to strengthening public decision-making in India
- Department
- Ek Kutumb
- Locations
- Mumbai
- Remote status
- Fully Remote
About Our Common Home
our mission -
building the common good for the environment. Protecting the environment should be a mainstream issue. We support the local networks that can make that happen.
we increase support for protecting the environment, by empowering those who are currently left out of the conversation
We do that by:
Supporting local actors to take environmental action rooted in more mainstream values and interests.
Developing better, longer-lasting solutions that reflect the priorities of ordinary people.
Creating the space for decision-makers from across the political spectrum to lead on environmental issues on their own terms.
we respect and honor traditional values
We share the mainstream values of our partners. Our network is rooted in the communities where we work.
we trust people to find a way
Communities themselves are best placed to identify solutions to environmental issues that work for them.
we are rigorous and accountable
Our work is grounded in research of the highest standard. We continuously monitor, evaluate and learn from our work in order to drive towards the impact we seek.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Our Common Home is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or religion, and are committed to promoting equity in the workplace.