Research Associate - Institute for Financial Management and Research (IFMR) - Tamil Nadu, Chennai, India

Small Enterprise Finance Centre (SEFC) at the Institute for Financial Management and Research (IFMR), CHENNAI, INDIA has a vacancy for a Research Associate.

Background

The Small Enterprise Finance Centre (SEFC) at the Institute for Financial Management and Research (IFMR) is looking for Research Associates in Chennai, India.  Current research projects in India are aimed at increasing knowledge of small business financing. Key topics include the nature of demand for financial services; the extent of impacts of financial access on incomes, human capital, infrastructure, and broader aspects of business development and growth; and mechanisms that enable improving impact and scale. We are testing our research through randomized evaluations in order to scale up effective financial product innovations to reach millions of entrepreneurs.

SEFC works closely with Ideas42, a behavioral economics lab, to implement and manage research projects. Principal researchers at Ideas42 drive much of the research agenda within the Centre. Ideas42 brings together leading researchers from economics, psychology, and behavioral sciences across Harvard, MIT, Princeton, etc. to develop new solutions to problems of development and access to finance in collaboration with companies, financial institutions, and SEFC.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

One of the major barriers to the growth of SMEs that has started to receive more emphasis recently is the lack of financial management skills among SME owners. Entrepreneurs are often faced with making very complex financial decisions that are critical for the success or survival of their business. While some of the larger SMEs might possess basic accounting skills to handle day-to-day transactions, few are equipped with financial planning and investment management skills. Such inability to manage their finances effectively can undermine the firm’s growth and investment opportunities and lower overall profitability. Hence, the project aims to test the optimal method and measure the impact of financial planning programs for SMEs.

THE JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Research Associate will spend 100% of his/her time managing his/her specific project. Duties and responsibilities include:

• Conducting background research with SMEs
• Maintaining relationships with partner organizations for the project
• Ensuring smooth functioning of the project and quickly addressing problems as they arise
• Assisting with data collection through surveys, focus groups, and interviews with stakeholders
• Executing surveys, focus groups, interviews and other research activities
• Managing and training survey teams, including quality control of data
• Ensuring that financial mechanisms and operational model are properly implemented
• Conducting rigorous data analysis
• Assisting in meetings and presentations to partner organizations.
• Providing a final report and suggesting policy recommendations for expanding the project to other regions, industries,

THE SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS:

Applicants for the positions of RAs should:

• Have a Master’s degree in economics, finance, public policy, or other related fields and should have strong quantitative skills (undergraduate/post-graduate training in finance, microeconomics, development economics, econometrics and statistics is preferred).
• 1-2 years field experience in developing countries is strongly preferred.
• 2-3 years of relevant economic/finance experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience in working with SMEs is desirable.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and writing skills. 
• Knowledge of STATA or other data analysis software strongly desirable.  
• Be interested in economic development and in working in a developing country with an interest in finance relevant research
• Be organized, disciplined, and able to work independently with limited supervision – you will work under close supervision in the beginning, but the job will work best if you can show quickly that you can do high quality work with limited supervision
• Be very meticulous and detail oriented – this is critical since most of the work will involve carefully documenting all that you do in the field
• Knowledge of Hindi is desirable.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS:

 The Research Associate position is open to Indian and foreign national applicants. We are looking for a minimum commitment of at least 12 months.

 

Note: All Research Associates (RAs) will be employed as full time IFMR employees, and will be eligible for staff benefits. The monthly compensation will be commensurate with experience. 

 

Please send your resume and cover letter to Sharon Buteau sharon.buteau@ifmr.ac.in by October 15^th.

 

Please indicate in the subject line that you are applying for the Research Associate position. We will contact you shortly after submission if we are interested in interviewing you. Please no calls or follow-up emails.