Job Description

Maximize your potential. Tackle the world's toughest problems.
Build expertise in areas that matter to you. Become a global development leader.
ABOUT DALBERG
We help solve the most pressing challenges of our time through systemic change. We are entrepreneurs and innovators, designers and creative problem solvers, thinkers, and doers. We are from everywhere, at home anywhere - an African and American company as much as an Asian, Middle Eastern, and European one. We partner with and serve communities, governments, and companies throughout the world, providing an innovative mix of services. Today's complex global problems require new solutions, so we approach problems differently and work closely with our partners to create impact at scale. Dalberg is a place where a diverse mix of talented individuals are able to bring their whole selves to work - whether it's how you identify, where you come from, the languages you speak, the person you love, the way you worship. Dalberg is a home where people feel safe, understood, nurtured and encouraged to grow.
As a team of 600+ people from 50 countries, speaking over 90 languages collectively, with 48%+ female leadership team, Dalberg places diversity, equity and inclusion principles at the heart of our organization and the work we do alongside our clients, partners and communities.
Established in 2001 by experienced private sector consultants, Dalberg operates from 25+ worldwide locations. For more information, please visit .
ABOUT DALBERG ADVISORS
Dalberg Advisors is a strategic advisory firm combining the best of private sector strategy skills and rigorous analytical capabilities with deep knowledge and networks across emerging and frontier markets. We work collaboratively across the public, private and philanthropic sectors to fuel inclusive growth and help clients achieve their goals.
ABOUT OUR CLIENTS
Our clients come to us with some of the most difficult global problems, seeking solutions where the obvious ones have failed. We are entrepreneurs and innovators, designers and creative problem solvers, thinkers, and doers who supply new ideas, drawing from a deep base of knowledge that cuts across sectors and geographies and is growing every day. We partner with and serve communities, governments, and companies throughout the world. Some of our recent clients include foundations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, corporations such as Pepsi and Vodafone, multilateral institutions such as the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank, UN agencies such as UNICEF and the UNEP, and government agencies such as the Ethiopian Ministry of Innovation and Technology, USAID, and India's NITI Aayog.
ABOUT THE RESEARCH & THOUGHT LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE
Dalberg is in the early stages of building a new research and thought leadership initiative dedicated to shaping the future of global development thinking. This initiative will act as a strategic engine to drive forward-looking, agenda-setting research focused on unlocking the next wave of impact at scale.
Designed as a bridge between field-based consulting and anticipatory research, the initiative will explore and elevate emerging themes such as:

• The future of outcomes-based funding and philanthropic flows
• Systems change and collective action measurement at scale
• Inclusive gender inquiry, including underexplored domains such as boys' education
• The promise and perils of AI in education and work in the Global South

Through research, convening, and publication, the initiative aims to equip Dalberg-and the wider development ecosystem-to ask better questions and shape more equitable and impactful futures.
ABOUT YOU
We are looking for an entrepreneurial, curious, and impact-driven Research Fellow to support the Dalberg Institute's early work. This 6-month fellowship is a launchpad role-to prototype original research products, shape intellectual agendas, and co-build the foundations of a future Dalberg Institute.
The ideal candidate will bring a strong combination of technical rigor and conceptual agility, with the ability to work across sectors, geographies, and formats. For the right fit, the role can evolve into a long-term leadership position.
ABOUT THE ROLE

• A platform to publish, convene, and influence practice on global development's frontier themes.
• Mentorship, global exposure, and potential for a longer-term role within the Dalberg.
• An opportunity to shape the potential launch phase of a new research institution within one of the world's leading impact consultancies.
• A high-trust, idea-rich environment that rewards rigor, boldness, and creativity.

OBJECTIVES

• Lead or support original research and insight generation on key themes from Dalberg's thought leadership plan, including:

• Global funding flows for development (especially in climate, education, gender)
• Systems change metrics and collective impact evaluation
• Emerging equity challenges in boys' education
• Implications of AI for public service delivery and work futures
• Support development and launch of a quarterly online publication and other research formats.
• Translate internal knowledge and client-facing work into globally relevant research and foresight products.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Conduct structured desk research, literature reviews, and comparative case mapping.

• Perform qualitative and quantitative analyses; support data visualization and synthesis.
• Draft memos, briefs, blog posts, and provocations for internal and external audiences.
• Engage Dalberg teams across regions to draw insights and elevate high-potential internal work (e.g., evidence mapping, MEL tools).
• Support stakeholder outreach, event design, and research partnerships (e.g., roundtables on boys' education or climate-aligned capital).
• Contribute to shaping the Institute's voice, operating model, and long-term strategy.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 4-8 years of experience in global development-in research, or public policy.
• Relevant Master's degree preferred. This could include public policy, international affairs, data journalism, sociology or public health.
• Strong writing, synthesis, and communication skills-able to translate technical ideas into accessible insight.
• Proficiency with at least one statistical analysis tool (e.g., R, Stata, SPSS, Python) and/or geospatial analysis (e.g., GIS mapping) is a plus; experience with qualitative tools (e.g., NVivo, ATLAS.ti, and MAXQDA) is a plus.
• Experience working in think tanks, research institutes, evidence-to-policy initiatives, multilaterals, or consulting/advisory contexts.
• Familiarity with at least one core area of Dalberg's thought leadership plan.
• Self-starter, motivated by big questions, comfortable navigating ambiguity and working independently to push the thinking.
• Willingness and ability to develop short research pieces quickly and pivot as needed

JOIN OUR TEAM
Our current opportunities are in India (Remote/Hybrid possible)
Please submit your application at our by 11:59PM IST on 10th August 2025.
Please note: submission of a cover letter is mandatory as part of the application.
During the same recruitment period, please only apply to one position at Dalberg. This position should be the role best suited to your current professional experience and to your first preference location. You will have the opportunity to rank your next 2 location preferences within your application, in case there are openings in other offices.
Candidate applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Candidates selected for interviews will be invited for a number of interviews to test analytical and conceptual thinking skills through consulting case questions, and to discuss interests and experience. A candidate's specific title and level of entry will be assessed during the interview process.
Dalberg values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. Qualified and interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, religion, background, or ethnic affiliation are encouraged to apply for the vacancy.
We have also pledged to three commitments for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) across the firm:

• COMMITMENT 1: We commit to publishing internal Dalberg DEI reports annually, to hold ourselves accountable, report on progress and share lessons from our regional DEI plans.
• COMMITMENT 2: We commit to delivering regular training for all staff (including leadership) on how to engender inclusive workplaces and mitigate unconscious bias.
• COMMITMENT 3: We commit to addressing imbalances in how power and privilege are formally distributed and informally exercised across the firm.

Owing to the large number of applications we receive; unfortunately, only successful candidates will be contacted.