Position Title: Senior Research Associate
Location: Karachi, Sindh
Duration: Full-time, 8 months

Overview

The Legal Aid Society (LAS) is dedicated to addressing injustices faced by women and children, focusing on combating sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), protecting children's rights, empowering women economically, and securing their rights within marriage. The Senior Research Associate will oversee the implementation of all research, monitoring, and evaluation components within LAS's Gender and Child Security Portfolio. This role requires expertise in gender-focused research methodologies, data analysis, policy evaluation, and impact assessment, ensuring that evidence-based insights inform programme strategies, advocacy, and decision-making. 

Key Responsibilities

1. Research Design & Implementation

• Develop and oversee research studies related to SGBV, child protection, women's economic empowerment, and marital rights, ensuring alignment with LAS's objectives.

• Design qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, ensuring ethical and gender-sensitive approaches.

• Lead field research, stakeholder consultations, and focus group discussions to collect primary data.

• Supervise research associates and data collection teams to ensure high-quality and accurate data collection.

• Develop research proposals, concept notes, and grant applications for gender-related studies.

2. Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)

• Design and implement monitoring frameworks to assess the impact and effectiveness of LAS's gender programmes.

• Develop key performance indicators (KPIs) and measurement tools for tracking progress on gender-related interventions.

• Analyze trends, gaps, and challenges in programme implementation, providing data-driven recommendations for improvements.

3. Policy & Data Analysis

• Conduct in-depth policy analysis on gender justice laws, SGBV legislation, and institutional responses.

• Review and synthesize secondary data, including legal frameworks, government reports, and international best practices.

• Draft research reports, policy briefs, and advocacy materials based on evidence from M&E findings.

• Provide technical support to stakeholders, including government agencies, on data-driven policymaking.

4. Knowledge Management & Reporting

• Ensure proper documentation and dissemination of research findings for internal and external stakeholders.

• Develop annual research plans aligned with LAS's strategic goals.

• Lead the preparation of donor reports, impact assessments, and research publications.

• Maintain research databases and ensure data integrity, security, and ethical compliance.

Qualifications & Experience

• Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Gender Studies, Sociology, Law, Development Studies, or a related field.

• Experience:

• Minimum 2 years of experience in research, M&E, policy analysis, and gender-focused programme implementation.

• Proven experience in conducting quantitative and qualitative research related to SGBV, child protection, or women's rights.

• Prior experience working with government institutions, UN agencies, donors, and civil society organizations.

• Expertise in report writing, policy brief development, and academic publications.

• Skills:

• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with the ability to translate research into policy recommendations.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Urdu; proficiency in Sindhi is an asset.

• Demonstrated ability to manage teams, lead research projects, and work under tight deadlines.

• Strong stakeholder engagement, advocacy, and negotiation skills.

• Knowledge of gender-sensitive and survivor-centered approaches in research and programming.