• Education: Master’s Degree or equivalent in economics, development economics, social policy, public policy, statistics, development studies or another relevant social science. A PhD is an asset.
• Work Experience: At least seven years of relevant professional experience in social protection, poverty or vulnerability analysis, development economics, household research, or related fields.

Demonstrated experience in producing high-quality analytical reports or policy products using household-level evidence and multiple data sources.

Demonstrated experience in analyzing household, administrative, secondary and/or qualitative data to inform social protection, poverty or vulnerability policies.

Experience undertaking or supporting household-level research, stakeholder consultations or mixed-method analysis.

• Skills: Strong analytical and mixed-method skills, including the ability to synthesize household survey findings, administrative and secondary data, qualitative evidence and policy information.

Strong knowledge of social protection, poverty and vulnerability analysis.

Ability to assess the quality, comparability and limitations of different evidence sources and translate findings into clear, feasible policy recommendations.

Ability to design or support focused household-level or stakeholder consultations, where required, and integrate qualitative evidence with existing quantitative analysis.

Excellent analytical writing, presentation and datavisualization skills.

Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, with the ability to work effectively across agencies and disciplines.

• Language Requirements: Excellent written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of Sinhala and/or Tamil is an asset, but is not required for international candidates.
• Desirables: Experience assessing social assistance coverage, adequacy, targeting, delivery systems and/or shock responsiveness.

Knowledge or experience in adaptive or shock-responsive social protection.

Experience integrating gender, child, disability and other leave-no-one-behind dimensions into policy or vulnerability analysis.

Familiarity with Sri Lanka’s social protection system and current reform context, including Aswesuma and relevant delivery and administrative arrangements.

Experience working with UN agencies, government institutions, international financial institutions and/or research organizations. Experience working with confidential or sensitive household evidence in accordance with ethical and data-protection requirements.

Familiarity with statistical analysis software such as Stata, R or Python.