About the School of Human Development (SHD)

The School of Human Development (SHD) at IIHS focuses on social transformation. The

School understands social transformation as a set of processes that are rooted in, and seek to directly address:

1. Inequality in social status and substantive rights based on identity;
2. The absence of material and economic dignity for the urban majority; and
3. Inequities in political presence, recognition and participation.

The School’s core focus areas are:
- Decent work;
- Affordable housing;
- Social inequality;
- Social protection;
- Urban health;
- Community mobilization;
- Care Infrastructure.

IIHS is seeking an experienced candidate to primarily support research on housing policy, with a specific focus on rental housing and senior housing. The consultant will contribute to evidence-based research, data analysis, and field investigations that inform policy recommendations and programme design in these areas. Additionally, they will assist with research work related to economic geography mapping.

This will be a contractual position for an initial term of 11 months, renewable on mutual consent.

Activities and Tasks

Responsibilities would include, but not be limited to, the following:

- Conducting in-depth research on housing policy issues, with emphasis on rental housing and senior/ elderly housing segments;
- Designing and carrying out fieldwork, including primary data collection, site visits, and stakeholder consultations;
- Collecting, organising, and analysing real estate and housing market data from diverse sources (government, industry, and primary data);
- Developing financial and policy models in Excel to support analysis and scenario planning;
- Reviewing existing and future housing policies, regulatory frameworks, and best practices,



related to regional economic geography development, including relevant national and international case studies;
- Preparing well-structured reports, briefs, presentations, and other knowledge products summarising research findings;
- Participating in teaching the “Practica” (field - based interdisciplinary studio) for Masters students at IIHS;
- Collaborating with internal teams, government stakeholders, and external partners as required;
- Providing inputs and recommendations to strengthen rental and senior housing policy and programming;
- Carrying out the administrative work that supports the primary and additional requirements;
- Providing support to other IIHS activities including academics, research, training, practice, operations and others;
- Participating in all activities of Institution-Building at IIHS; carrying out tasks as assigned by IIHS; and traveling on IIHS work within or outside the country as and when needed.

Structure and Reporting The incumbent will be an External Consultant coordinating with the Lead - Research at IIHS and will be required to collaborate effectively with a diverse group of internal teams and external individuals/ organisations, and students.

Person Specification The ideal candidate should have:

- A minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience after a Master's degree in Planning, Economics, Architecture, Real Estate, or a related field; or a minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience on issues related to Housing,



Real Estate, and Planning with or without a Bachelor’s degree;
- Demonstrated experience in conducting fieldwork, including data collection and stakeholder engagement;
- Strong understanding of different types of real estate data and data sources;
- Strong understanding of economic/ spatial planning methods;
- Proficiency in Excel, including financial/ data modelling;
- Strong analytical, research, and report-writing skills;
- The ability to work independently and guide researchers, and students in the Practica;
- The ability to manage timelines in a consulting environment.
- Prior experience in a consulting role, preferably in management, policy, or real estate consulting;
- A background in community development, affordable housing, or rental housing programmes;
- Experience with teaching will be valued.

This is a contractual engagement for an initial term of 11 months, renewable on mutual consent. This offer is on an exclusive basis, which implies that other skilled assignments (whether compensated or not) that bear a potential conflict of interest with IIHS cannot be undertaken.

The search will remain open until the position is filled.

Location

This position is based in Bengaluru and may entail travel to other locations in India.

Review and Assessment The role and performance of the incumbent shall be subject to normal review and assessment systems at IIHS.

Diversity Policy

IIHS is an equal opportunity employer that encourages women, people with disabilities and those from economically and socially excluded communities with the requisite skills and qualifications to apply for positions.

Contact

Please write to us at [email protected] if you need any clarifications while filling the online application form.

📌 External Consultant (Housing Policy Research - Rental Housing and Senior Housing) — School of Human Development (SHD)
🏢 Indian Institute for Human Settlements
📍 Bengaluru