A — Research Conceptualisation & Design
- Problem formulation: framing research
questions; constructing testable hypotheses/propositions; literature
synthesis and gap identification; developing conceptual/theoretical
frameworks
- Understanding of skill ecosystem: Prior work
or academic experience of skill ecosystem
- Methodological design: selecting research
paradigm (quantitative / qualitative / mixed); choosing design (survey,
experiment, case study, ethnography, longitudinal); operationalising
constructs into measurable variables
- Sampling design: probability vs.
non-probability strategies; sample-size and power estimation; weighting
and representativeness; frame construction
- Instrument development: questionnaire and
item writing; interview/FGD protocol design; scale development, piloting
and validation
- Research governance: ethics and informed
consent; securing IRB/ethical clearance and administrative approvals;
data-protection and privacy compliance
B — Data Collection & Fieldwork
- Primary collection: survey administration (CAPI/CATI/paper); interviewing (rapport, probing, active listening); structured observation and field recording
- Field operations: enumerator recruitment, training and supervision; fieldwork logistics and scheduling; real-time monitoring
- Secondary data acquisition: sourcing administrative and government datasets; extraction, compilation and linkage; assessing provenance and fitness-for-use
- Data quality assurance: back-checks and spot validation; consistency and range checks; audit trails
C — Data Management & Analysis
- Data preparation: cleaning, de-duplication and outlier handling; missing-data treatment; coding, structuring and codebook/metadata documentation
- Quantitative analysis: descriptive statistics; inferential testing and regression; advanced methods (multivariate, psychometrics/IRT, equating, causal inference); tool fluency (R, Python, SPSS, Stata)
- Qualitative analysis: thematic and content analysis; grounded-theory coding; QDA software (NVivo, etc.)
- Interpretation & synthesis: pattern and trend identification; triangulation across sources; data visualisation for insight
D— Communication, Report writing
- Technical & academic writing: report structuring; publication and manuscript writing; citation and referencing discipline
- Dissemination: presentation and public speaking; data storytelling; conference/workshop facilitation
- Stakeholder engagement & policy translation: policy-brief writing; audience-tailored messaging; advisory and consultative engagement with policymakers, practitioners and the public
E- Transversal / Foundational skills
- Research ethics and integrity; project and time management; digital and data literacy; critical thinking and problem-solving; collaboration and teamwork; multilingual/field-language competence; adaptability under field conditions.
Requirements
1Academic Background:
· Masters or above in Economics,
Statistics, Data Science
· Engineers with Data Science, Machine
Learning, Data Analytics
· Any Other candidates from Social
Science background can be considered on a case-to-case basis depending on the
merit
1Experience:
1. 3-8 years of working experience in
the relevant field depending on the requirement of the level.
2. Proficient in Microdata analysis
using any software package like R, Python, Stata
3. Prior experience of working in skill
ecosystem
4. Deployed ML techniques in analysis
5. Proficient in PowerBI, Excel &
Powerpoint
6. Ability to write analytical reports
Skills Required
- Master’s degree or higher in Economics, Statistics, or Data Science
- Engineers with experience or education in Data Science, Machine Learning, or Data Analytics may be considered
- Social Science candidates may be considered case by case based on merit
- 3–8 years of relevant work experience, depending on level requirements
- Proficiency in microdata analysis using R, Python, Stata, or another statistical software package
- Prior experience working in the skill ecosystem
- Experience deploying machine learning techniques in analysis
- Proficiency in Power BI, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Ability to write analytical reports
What We Do
National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) is an Indian not-for-profit public-private partnership that empowers youth through comprehensive skill development. It supports enterprises, startups, and training organizations with funding, concessional loans, and innovative financial products; coordinates private-sector vocational training initiatives; and serves as a strategic implementation and knowledge partner for the Skill India Mission, helping build a workforce-ready national skills ecosystem.
