logo

Senior Research Consultant

  • Company

    Bharat Rural Livelihoods Foundation (BRLF))

  • Location

    New Delhi

  • Employment Type

    Full-Time

  • Functional Category

    Research & Knowledge Management

  • Experience

    12 - 13 years

About Bharat Rural Livelihoods Foundation (BRLF))

Bharat Rural Livelihoods Foundation (BRLF) was set up by the Government of India as an independent society under the Ministry of Rural Development, to scale up civil society action in partnership with the central and state governments. The Union Cabinet decided to form Bharat Rural Livelihoods Foundation (BRLF) through a cabinet decision on 3rd September 2013 to ensure better implementation and outreach of the government schemes and programmes in partnership with civil society organizations. It came into existence as an independent society on 10th December 2013 with an initial sanctioned amount of INR 500 crore to be allocated in two installments to create the corpus of this new society.

Overview of the Role

Lead the design and execution of a mixed-methods, agroecological research study across multiple landscape clusters by integrating geospatial mapping, secondary data synthesis, and institutional analysis. Assess farming systems, natural resource management, livelihoods, nutrition, markets, and community institutions to identify gaps, risks, and opportunities. Translate findings into costed hub profiles, convergence frameworks, and scalable investment pathways, while coordinating closely with CSOs, government stakeholders, and development partners to support agroecological transformation and long-term sustainability.

Job Description

Research design: Geographical & Agroecological Coverage
• Mapping of Bijawar and Rajnagar blocks using DEM, land-use, soil texture, watershed boundaries, and CSO overlap, with specific delineation of the three landscape clusters: Cluster 1 (Ken North, Rajnagar block, 30 villages), Cluster 2 (Ken South, Bijawar block, 29 villages), and Cluster 3 (Betwa Phase 2, Bijawar block, 36 villages).
• Stratification within the predefined clusters based on elevation zones, farmer interest, and ecological suitability.
• Coverage includes 300–400 households and 10–15 institutions per block (SHGs, FPOs, PRIs, BMCs), with village-level sampling proportional to cluster size.
• Prioritization linked to MP agroecological zones (Bundelkhand, Malwa Plateau) and NF scaling ambitions (1.55 Mha target)

Research Design:
• Approach & Methodology Mixed-methods, participatory approach aligned with the AgRMLT Phase 1 Action Plan and ethical standards (informed consent, data sovereignty, gender inclusion).

Secondary Data Review & Synthesis
• Review of AgRMLT Concept Note, Scoping Study, CSO datasets, intervention timelines.
• Thematic synthesis: Agroecological Profile, NRM & Land Use, Agriculture & Livelihood Systems, and Institutional Landscape
• Knowledge gaps & priorities for primary research
• Triangulation with NMNF, KVK, ISRO BHUVAN, Soil Health Cards, e-NAM
• Identification of data and knowledge gaps
• Biodiversity, Farming Systems and Land use
• NRM functionality (Soil, Water, Forests, Commons)
• Nutrition and food systems
• Vulnerability and climate risk o Markets and local economy
• Community Institutions and Governance
• Institutional & Systems Assessment
• Mapping of SHGs, PRIs, FPOs, BMCs using digital tools, with focus on CSO presence in the listed villages (e.g., Srijan, Pradan, Dawat, NMNF, DMKS, VSS, GSS).
• Review of nutrition systems, market linkages, supply chains, and risk/vulnerability assessments.
• Use of community records and Gram Sabha documentation for validation (non-field-data focus).

Quantitative & Qualitative Analysis
• Qualitative: Thematic coding using NVivo; institutional case studies; gender-disaggregated insights.
• Triangulation: Cross-checking with KVK/CSO documentation; secondary soil/biota data; community-level validation loops.

Integration & Recommendations
• Development of 3–5 costed NF Hub Profiles per block (CSBs, BRCs, aggregation nodes).
• Convergence matrix linking VB-G-RAM-G (MGNREGA),(NRM works), ICDS/MDM (nutrition procurement), MP Mandi Board (market traceability), and KVKs (technical extension).
• Scalability roadmap for agroecological transformation including blended finance opportunities and risk-mitigation pathways.

Operational Arrangements
• Bi-weekly coordination meetings with BRLF, NCNF, GIZ, CSOs (DMKS, SRIJAN).

Required & Preferred Qualifications

Skill

• Strong knowledge of MP agriculture schemes (e.g., NMNF, VB-G-RAM-G {MGNREGA}) and gender/nutrition integration.
• Proven skills in quantitative and qualitative data analysis using analysis software, particularly, R and NVivo.
• Must have experience in designing and conducting data collection for large research projects using qualitative and quantitative tools.
• Must be proficient in data visualisation methods and tools, MS Excel, and Kobo/ similar data collection platforms.
• Work independently and be organised to ensure that tasks are completed on time.
• Results orientation with attention to detail.

Education

Advanced degree (Master's/PhD) in Agriculture, Environmental Science, Rural Development, or related field.

Experience

• Minimum 12 years' experience in agroecology, baseline surveys, or landscape assessments in India (preference for Bundelkhand/Madhya Pradesh). • Proven expertise in mixed-methods research (quantitative: GIS, stats; qualitative: PRA), with familiarity in NF/NMNF indicators.