Director, Institute of AgeCare Research (IAR)

Reports to: Chief Operating Officer

Team: Researchers

Location: New Delhi

Tenure: 3 years (annual contract, renewable based on performance and budget availability)

Reporting to HelpAge India’s senior management, the Director will be responsible for setting up the Institute, building diverse research teams, forging high-impact university and industry partnerships, and cultivating an ecosystem of collaboration across the Indian and global ageing sector. The Director will champion the Institute’s mission to generate rigorous, evidence-based insights and transform the policy and practice landscape for older persons in India.

Key Responsibilities

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  Institution Building & Strategic Leadership

o Lead the structured establishment of the Institute, including infrastructure setup, staff recruitment, policy formulation, and operational framework design.

o Adapt and execute the Institute’s three-year strategic roadmap, aligning research focus areas and operational goals with HelpAge India’s mission and board directives.

o Create, supervise, and continuously improve internal processes including governance, ethics review, and data security standards

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  Research Leadership & Capacity Development

o Guide the Institute’s core research agenda, steering longitudinal studies, surveys, policy analysis, and impact evaluations in priority gerontology domains.

o Design and implement robust monitoring & evaluation frameworks and methodologies for ongoing research.

o Foster an environment of interdisciplinary collaboration by mentoring research staff and facilitating technical skill development.

o Champion the integration of advanced quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method approaches, and promote the adoption of digital data collection tools and innovative age care technologies

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  University & Stakeholder Partnerships

o Position the Institute as a leading node for partnership-driven research by structuring collaborative agreements with academic institutions, public policy think tanks, NGOs, government agencies, and industry partners.

o Spearhead joint proposals, shared research projects, and cross-institutional forums, ensuring IAR remains a preferred partner for national and international gerontology initiatives.

o Secure external funding and co-investment opportunities through grant writing, MoUs, and strategic alliances.

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  Knowledge Dissemination & External Engagement

o Oversee the publication of flagship reports, policy briefs, and peer-reviewed research outputs.

o Curate and host national and international conferences, seminars, workshops, and webinars as platforms for knowledge exchange and public engagement.

o Launch and manage an online knowledge hub for research dissemination and stakeholder networking

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  Training, Policy Advocacy, and Impact

o Establish fellowship programs and capacity-building workshops to nurture emerging scholars, practitioners, and youth leaders in ageing research.

o Advocate for evidence-based ageing policy through stakeholder consultations, advisory panels, and annual stakeholder impact reviews.

o Ensure rigorous tracking of key performance indicators (KPIs) for research output, knowledge transfer, partnership strength, and policy influence

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  Resource Mobilization & Sustainability

o Drive resource mobilization strategies, and securing multi-year sustainability through external grants.

o Oversee budgeting, financial management, and ensure efficient allocation of funds to maximize research and partnership returns.

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  Promoting Inclusivity & Innovation

o Embed multidisciplinary, gender-sensitive, and ethically responsible research approaches.

o Cultivate a culture of inclusiveness, continuous learning, and social innovation in all Institute activities.

Disclaimer: The Job Description above is not an exhaustive list of skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

Requirements

Qualifications & Experience

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  Education: PhD (or equivalent) in Gerontology, Public Health, Social Sciences, Economics, or relevant discipline; specialization in ageing research preferred.
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  Experience: At least 15-18 years of progressive leadership in research, policy advocacy, in reputable NGOs, academic institutions, or public sector organizations, with demonstrable achievements in managing interdisciplinary teams, university partnerships and resource mobilization including application of grants
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  Expertise: Proven record in securing grants, publishing influential research, and leading complex projects in ageing or related social sectors.

Skills & Competencies

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  Exceptional strategic planning, team-building, and leadership ability.
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  Advanced proficiency in research design, methodologies (qualitative and quantitative), statistical analysis, and monitoring & evaluation.
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  Deep understanding of ageing issues, India’s gerontology policy landscape, and digital/technological trends in age care.
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  Effective communicator and collaborator, able to inspire teams and build consensus among diverse stakeholders.
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  Strong commitment to ethical standards, gender equity, and innovation.

Benefits

HelpAge India is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers applicants for all positions without prejudice to caste, religion or belief, sex, gender identity, disability or any other characteristics protected by applicable laws.

Interested candidates may apply with a cover /motivation letter, along with details of last salary drawn, expected salary, and three professional referees.

Due to the urgency of the position, interviews may be scheduled even before the closure of the advertisement. Hence, interested candidates are encouraged to apply at the earliest. Please note that we will not be able to notify all applicants. Only short-listed candidates will be notified about the interview date.