Project Director (Social Impact)

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly experienced and driven Social Scientist to lead and anchor Social Impact Assessments (SIA) in mining-affected regions. This is a senior-most role within the project, requiring strategic leadership, strong field presence, stakeholder management, and deep methodological expertise. The candidate will be responsible for designing, executing, and overseeing large-scale assessments/research, livelihood and community development plans while balancing the expectations of communities, mining companies, and regulatory institutions.

Key Responsibilities

The selected candidate will lead end-to-end Social Impact Assessment processes with a strong focus on technical rigor, stakeholder engagement, and on-ground execution -

• Provide overall leadership for Social Impact Assessment studies in mining regions, ensuring alignment with project objectives and regulatory frameworks.
• Design and implement robust research methodologies integrating both quantitative and qualitative approaches.
• Lead large-scale field operations, including planning, deployment, and supervision of extensive field teams.
• Ensure high-quality data collection through well-defined tools, protocols, and training of field investigators.
• Oversee data analysis, interpretation, and visualization to generate actionable insights.
• Lead the preparation of comprehensive, high-quality reports for diverse stakeholders.
• Facilitate Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) processes to ensure meaningful community participation.
• Liaise effectively with government agencies, mining companies, community institutions, and other key stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.
• Maintain regular communication and provide periodic progress updates to both the organization and the mining company.
• Build and sustain balanced, professional relationships with communities as well as project proponents (mining companies).
• Anticipate, identify, and address conflicts on the ground; demonstrate strong conflict resolution and negotiation skills.
• Manage and mentor multidisciplinary teams, including subject matter experts across domains such as livelihoods, environment, public health, and governance.
• Identify and onboard relevant experts or partner institutions as needed.
• Continuously monitor field challenges, update internal teams, and guide timely course corrections to ensure project quality and timelines.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Social Sciences, Social Work, Development Studies, Rural Development, Anthropology, Sociology, or related fields.
• 10–15+ years of extensive experience in the social/development sector, preferably with exposure to mining or resource-extraction contexts.
• Demonstrated experience in leading Social Impact Assessments or similar large-scale research studies.
• Strong expertise in research design, including survey tools, sampling frameworks, qualitative techniques (FGDs, KIIs, ethnographic methods), and mixed-method approaches.
• Deep understanding and hands-on experience in Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) methodologies.
• Proven ability to manage large, geographically dispersed field teams.
• Strong analytical skills with experience in data analysis, visualization tools, and report writing.
• Excellent leadership, stakeholder management, and communication skills.
• Strong conflict resolution, negotiation, and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience in working with multidisciplinary teams and coordinating subject matter experts.

Additional / Preferred Skills

• Working knowledge of GIS and spatial analysis tools is an added advantage.
• Proficiency in professional and working communication in English and Hindi is essential; knowledge of local languages such as Marthi, Odia/Oriya, Bengali and Hindi is highly.

Desired Attributes

• Strong contextual understanding of rural and mining-affected communities.
• Ability to navigate complex socio-political environments with sensitivity and professionalism.
• High level of ownership, accountability, and strategic thinking.
• Commitment to ethical, community-centric research and practice.

Why This Role Matters

This position plays a critical role in shaping how mining projects understand and respond to their social, ecological and economic footprint. The role requires balancing technical excellence with human sensitivity, ensuring that both community concerns and project realities are responsibly addressed.