Nepal Institute for Policy Research (NIPoRe)
Terms of Reference
Research Assistant (RA) – Winter 2024 [RA – W2024]
Click here to submit your application online
INTRODUCTION
The Nepal Institute for Policy Research (NIPoRe) is an independent and non-partisan research institute based in Kathmandu, Nepal. Established in May 2019, it works to generate evidence-based debates among citizens and critical stakeholders of development in both the public and private sectors on contemporary policy issues. The institution currently works on high policy priority areas through four research centers – the Center for New Economy and Inequality (CNEI), the Center for Strategic Affairs (CSA), the Center for Governance Studies (CGS), and the Center for Human Development (CHD).
Led by a team of young professionals and guided by a seasoned board of accomplished experts, NIPoRe embodies a spirit of intellectual vigor, innovative thinking, and adeptness in technological applications in its work. This has led to the institute’s creation of new and groundbreaking research approaches and high-quality publications with highly significant policy, practical, and educational impact. NIPoRe has undertaken primary and secondary research focusing on economics, foreign and strategic affairs, governance, human development, and the digital economy.
THE POSITION
The NIPoRe Research Assistantship program is for early career researchers interested in building their careers in high-priority public policy issues from Nepal and Asia. Given Nepal’s ongoing polycrisis, generating valuable insights and policy documents through rigorous research has become more critical than ever.
To minimize the prevalent research-practice gap, NIPoRe trains and empowers young researchers and encourages them to undertake challenging policy analysis through in-house and outside research activities on high-priority cross-cutting policy issues from Nepal and other parts of Asia.
ROLES/PURPOSE
The incoming RA will work with the NIPoRe’s in-house and non-residential researchers on mutual interest issues to help the institution develop strategic direction and leadership as well as proactively implement research activities towards such end to establish NIPoRe as a key policy research institution in Nepal and South Asia that works on national, regional, and global public policy issues. In addition to the NIPoRe’s regular research works, the RAs are given opportunities to focus on one core policy area to work on. The incoming RA will primarily work on NIPoRe’s ongoing and future initiatives under the institute’s Center for Governance Studies (CGS), mainly covering issues related to inclusive governance trends and practices in the context of Nepal and South Asia.
DURATION
The RA’s duration is six months, with a possibility of extension for one year based on performance during the first six months of engagement. The incoming RA will start his/her work at the NIPoPe office in Kathmandu from 5 November 2024 (20 Kartik 2081 BS) onwards.
KEY DELIVERABLES
- RA will be responsible for providing a GESI perspective to NIPoRe’s ongoing and future research activities.
- RA will be responsible for contributing monthly blog posts (500-700 words) on his/her research focus area(s) at NIPoRe.
- RA will be responsible for contributing a publishable policy paper by the end of their six months of engagement.
- RA will be encouraged and provided with the necessary guidance and support to contribute research commentaries and research-backed opinion pieces on their research focus area(s) for publishers in Nepal and outside.
BENEFITS
The NIPoRe RAs are paid positions, and NIPoRe provides competitive remuneration and benefits per the prevailing local market standards.
QUALIFICATION
The RA is for an eligible Nepali national who has completed at least an undergraduate course in NIPoRe’s research focus areas, preferably in gender studies, Indigenous and minority communities, public policy, public administration, international relations, political science, and development studies.
WRITE TO US
Please send all your related questions and inquiries to info[at]nipore[dot]org
APPLICATION GUIDELINES AND DEADLINE
Please complete the application form online and submit all the details (an updated CV/resume, a cover letter, and a writing sample) by 04 October 2024 at 5 PM (Kathmandu Time). Please note that incomplete applications and those submitted after the deadline will not be considered for further consideration.
If shortlisted, the applicants must attend in-person interviews at the NIPoRe Office in Kathmandu for final assessment. The interview-related details will be shared with all the shortlisted applicants after the deadline.
Learn more and submit your application online