The posting
Location: ICPP- Okhla Industrial Industrial estate- phase 3
Experience: 2–3 years
About the Tax Vertical at ICPP
The Convergence Foundation (TCF) is expanding its work on tax policy as a critical lever for India's long-term economic growth. To advance this agenda, TCF has incubated a Tax Policy Vertical at the ICPP, Ashoka University, bringing together Ashoka's academic and interdisciplinary strengths with a strong focus on real-world policy questions.
The Vertical aims to build an independent, long-term research and policy platform focused on how India can strengthen tax administration, compliance and institutional design while supporting investment, productivity, formalisation and growth. Its work will combine rigorous research, evidence generation, international benchmarking and implementable policy design, with engagement across the policy cycle.
The Vertical will initially focus on tax administration and compliance across all taxes, while building distinctive datasets, research capacity and institutional partnerships over time. It will serve as a research institution, policy sounding board and convening platform, with independence and freedom from commercial or success-based advisory work at its core.
About the Role
The Tax Policy Vertical at the Indian Council for Public Policy (ICPP), Ashoka University, is establishing India's leading independent centre for research on taxation, tax administration and public finance. The centre aims to generate rigorous evidence, inform policy reforms, strengthen state capacity, and contribute to India's long-term economic growth agenda under Viksit Bharat 2047.
We are looking for a highly motivated Research Associate with 2–3 years of experience in economics, public policy, public finance, or related fields to support research, policy analysis and stakeholder engagement across direct taxes, indirect taxes, tax administration and institutional reforms.
Key Responsibilities
Research & Policy Analysis
- Conduct quantitative and qualitative research on taxation, public finance and economic policy.
- Analyse datasets relating to taxation, investment, compliance costs, litigation and economic growth.
- Analyse tax laws, administrative processes and institutional reforms in India and internationally.
- Undertake literature reviews, comparative policy studies and international benchmarking.
- Support development of policy papers, issue briefs, working papers and discussion notes.
Policy Development
- Support formulation of evidence-based policy recommendations.
- Assist in developing long-term reform frameworks on tax policy and administration.
- Contribute to research on tax competitiveness, investment climate and ease of doing business.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Support consultations with government officials, academia, industry, multilateral organisations and civil society.
- Prepare background notes, meeting briefs and consultation summaries.
- Assist in organising policy roundtables, workshops and conferences.
Knowledge & Communication
- Prepare presentations, policy decks and research summaries for senior policymakers.
- Monitor domestic and global developments in taxation and public finance.
- Contribute to blogs, newsletters and knowledge products.
Qualifications
- Master's degree in Economics, Public Policy or related discipline.
- 2–3 years of experience in:
- Public policy research organisations/Think tanks
- Economic/Strategy/public sector consulting
- Excellent analytical and research skills.
Preferred Skills
- Knowledge of India's federal tax system, fiscal policy and public finance.
- Experience working with government datasets and policy reports.
- Quantitative skills (Excel required; familiarity with Stata, R or Python preferred).
- Excellent writing and presentation skills.
- Ability to synthesise complex evidence into clear policy recommendations.
- Strong project management and stakeholder coordination abilities.
