5 Jul 2016

Vacancy of Research Officer in Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai -Last Date 10th of July, 2016

Name of Position: Research Officer

Number of Vacancies: 18 ( Eighteen)
Remuneration per month: Rs 35000/-
Project: National Research Study on Human Trafficking in India (NRHTI)
Duration: One Year Contract

About NRHTI:

Human trafficking is one of of the gravest forms of deprivation of human rights and dignity of
human beings. Though slavery has been abolished many decades ago, it has taken a new shapes
and that has been reflected through the crime of human trafficking. The victims in this trade are
the modern day slaves who have to face brutal torture, confinement, sexual abuse, repeated rape,
bonded labour, exploitative work conditions, non-payment of fair wages, sell their body organs,
rent their wombs, etc. The extent of this hidden crime of human trafficking is that it has become
a thirty two billion dollar profit making industry and ranked at third place in the organized crime
industry after hidden drugs and ammunition trade. Though several International conventions and
legal interventions have been introduced and implemented, the crime of human trade contiues to
flourish. The Constitution of India, vide Article 23 has mandated that trafficking in every form is
prohibited. Therefore, every person in India has a fundamental right not to be trafficked and
accordingly it is business of everybody to ensure that no person is trafficked.

The National Research Study on Human Trafficking in India (NRHTI) is a national level
research programme being initiated by Tata Institute of Social Sciences under the aegis of
National Human Rights Commission of India. It is a multi-partner project where several United
Nations agencies and other organizations have also joined hands to work collaboratively.
The objectives of this national level research project is to estimate the nature and extent of
human trafficking in the country, assess the economics/ finances of human trafficking in India,
understand the changing dimensions of human trafficking, identify social, economic, political,
cultural causes at the household, community and regional level, trace the processes involved in
human trafficking and understand the levels of exploitation, to examine the current response
systems and to suggest and recommend the way forward to address the gaps identified through
the research. In view of this,

TISS aims to hire Research officers to carry out the following responsibilities and tasks:

A. Responsibilities
The Research Officer will be responsible to lead the research work in assigned states and will
work under the National Research Team.

B. Tasks
The Research Officer would be responsible for the following tasks:
• Literature review
• Supervision and participation in data collection at district and village level
• Monitoring and supervision of research investigators
• Planning of data collection at the state, district and village levels
• Data filtration and data analysis
• Developing state and district profiles based on the data collection and analysis
• Liaising with key stakeholders and state level partners
• Preparing and writing periodic reports based on the data analyzed
• Coordinate with and support the National Research Team

C. Required Qualification, Competencies and Experiences
• A post-graduate degree in Social Sciences, Social Work, Law, Public Policy, or Human
Rights
• Preferably two or three years of experience related to the Human Trafficking / Work with
marginalised populations
• Working knowledge in data processing/statistical programmes like SPSS, Atlas Ti, etc.
• Knowledge of research methods and techniques
• Leadership and communication skills
• Willingness to travel in remote parts/ conflict zones/ villages of India for primary data
collection and monitoring
• Ability to analyze data and interpretation

How to apply:
Please send your CV along with a cover note stating the competence and suitability for this
position. Also, you have to send one page writeup of your understanding on the issue of Human
Trafficking to Mr. Jaffer Latief, Lead Research Associate, NRHTI at jaffer.latief[at]tiss.edu .
Please mention “Research Officer Application” in the subject of your e-mail. The last date of
application is 10th of July, 2016.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for Interview.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE POSITION ENTAILS EXTENSIVE TRAVEL AND FIELD WORK IN
RURAL AREAS IN THE DIFFERENT STATES OF INDIA. SOME OF THE VILLAGES IN OUR
FIELD OF STUDY MIGHT NOT HAVE BASIC AMENITIES LIKE ELECTRICITY AND TOILETS.

IN SUCH CASES, IT MIGHT BE REQUIRED TO STAY AND WORK WITHOUT THE BASIC
AMENITIES DURING FIELD WORK / DATA COLLECTION. THE FIELD WORK MAY ALSO
TAKE PLACE IN CONFLICT AND DISASTER AFFECTED AREAS. THIS IS A VERY
CHALLENGING JOB. ONLY THOSE CANDIDATES WHO THINK THAT THEY CAN WORK
UNDER SUCH CONDITIONS MAY APPLY.