Call for Application
iDE Bangladesh
Research Fellowship

Organization Background

iDE is dedicated to creating income and livelihood opportunities for the rural poor. We were one of the first organizations to unlock the power of markets to fight poverty. iDE designs and delivers market-based solutions in Nutrition, Agriculture, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in 11 countries across Asia, Africa, and Central America. We believe that entrepreneurs can be found everywhere and that through design and innovation, they can have the opportunity to build a better world for themselves, their families, and their communities. iDE Bangladesh is the oldest iDE country program having operated continuously since 1982.

The Transforming Lives Through Nutrition (TLTN) project aims to enhance the health and food systems' responses to malnutrition and food insecurity crises. The project supports government partners in strengthening the capacity of local health and food systems by delivering evidence-based, life-saving nutrition interventions to pregnant women and children under the age of five, with a focus on capturing the critical 1,000-day window of opportunity. Implemented across 12 African and Asian countries over five years, the project targets approximately 2.6 million pregnant women and 12 million children. In Bangladesh, TLTN operates through a partnership between Helen Keller International, Vitamin Angels, and iDE. The initiative focuses on improving maternal and child health through the delivery of proven nutrition interventions and by strengthening health and food systems at scale, with women and children at the center of these efforts.

About the Fellowship

iDE Bangladesh invites recent university graduates to apply for a one-year paid fellowship in nutrition-focused research and soft skills for enhancing employability for future careers through training, mentorship, coaching, and discussion. They will work at the intersection of nutrition-specific and sensitive sectors, gaining hands-on experience in research, field implementation, and knowledge dissemination.

This fellowship is designed to build a pipeline of skilled professionals who will strengthen program implementation, generate practical research and innovation for program improvement, and ensure high-quality outcomes and participant satisfaction.

Position Research Fellow
Number of Vacancies 09 (Nine)
Job Location Dhaka
Reporting Line Unit Heads and Project Managers

Thematic Focus Areas

The thematic focus should be aligned with the overall goal of the Transformative Lives projects. Fellows will have access to the field data of the project in the following areas:

  • Private and public sector models in nutrition and health economics
  • Regenerative agriculture production and marketing systems
  • Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) and nutrition
  • Nutrition and finance (access, products, and services)
  • Nutrition and business (product and service) development
  • Nutrition entrepreneurship models for vulnerable groups
  • Nutrition and ICT/AI (market models for efficiency)
  • Nutrition and Climate Resilience

Fellowship Learning Cycle

Financial Support
08-09 months (Depending on the joining date) paid fellowship, including facilities for the field travels, logistics, and administrative support at the iDE Dhaka, Bangladesh office. Competitive monthly package as per the organization standards.

Mentorship & Coaching
Supervision and soft skills training from iDE Leaders, including orientation on office policies, conduct, and future employability skills

Academic Guidance
In partnership with knowledge institutions and universities to guide fellows in research, including literature review, Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), qualitative and quantitative research tools focused on the mentioned thematic areas

Field Research Experience
Work on nutrition-outcome research aligned with iDE's Transforming Lives Projects, including field visits with logistics and benefits

Methodological Training
Training on research methodology, statistical analysis, photovoice tools, and other relevant methodologies

Publication & Networking
Support to publish, present, and build professional networks for future career advancement

Reporting
Monthly reporting, including supervisor’s feedback.

Certificate/ Acknowledgement
iDE Bangladesh will provide a certificate upon successful completion

Expected Outcomes

By the end of the fellowship, you will have:

  1. Submit to publish at least one article/conference paper as a co-author in a national or international journal with supervision from a university professor or research expert
  2. Present your research at a knowledge dissemination event organized by iDE-Bangladesh and iDE-Global
  3. Write a blog or develop a podcast with support from your supervisor and the iDE communication team
  4. Participated in a photovoice event hosted by the iDE Transforming Lives Through Nutrition (TLTN) team, alongside nutrition-focused organizations and experts
  5. Contributed to building a skilled cohort in the nutrition space, serving the sector through knowledge and research
  6. Developed a professional network to support your future academic and career goals

The line supervisor and fellow will jointly ensure the following objectives through these measured outcomes:

Build a pipeline of skilled professionals in public health and nutrition:

  • 100% of fellows complete structured field exposure (8 field visits for technical fellows).
  • Monthly progress reports submitted by each Fellow, including case studies, market systems analyses, field research documentation, or program learning briefs.
  • At least 80% of fellows demonstrate improved employability by program end, measured through completion of defined job-readiness milestones (enhanced technical and soft skills, improved CVs and professional portfolios, interview preparation, and active career planning).

Strengthen program implementation through Fellow support

  • 90% of fellows complete assigned deliverables aligned with project focus areas, including market systems assessments, agricultural training support, nutrition promotion activities, soil health initiatives, and WASH/hygiene promotion support.
  • Fellows participate in at least one field data collection, monitoring, or learning activity per quarter.
  • At least 75% of fellows produce a research brief, analytical report, or technical summary based on field findings.

Generate practical research and innovation for program improvement

  • Each Fellow documents at least one innovation, operational improvement, or research insight during the program year, or a minimum of eight innovations are documented across the fellowship cohort.
  • Examples include improved farmer training approaches, enhanced nutrition messaging strategies, more efficient market facilitation processes, and improved compost production practices.
  • Research and innovation outputs are shared with fellows to inform program learning and adaptive management.

Ensure high program quality and participant satisfaction

  • Achieve a minimum 85% supervisor satisfaction score, based on evaluations of Fellow professionalism, adaptability, teamwork, and initiative.
  • Achieve at least 85% Fellow satisfaction, measured through end-of-program surveys.
  • 85% of fellows report willingness to recommend the program or return for future roles.

This attached Slide Deck Briefing serves as a self-describing executive summary designed to facilitate a conceptual overview of the core framework.

Note: The expected outcomes may change depending on the changing contexts and requirements.

Eligibility Criteria

  • The ideal candidate will possess a strong appetite for learning, a willingness to engage in field visits (8 to 10 visits), and be motivated to translate academic knowledge into practical solutions.
  • We are expecting a research-oriented mindset and the toppers of the class. A candidate's past experience with papers, articles, and thesis documents will be considered as one of the preferences. Proactive engagement in extracurricular endeavors, coupled with refined interpersonal skills, is considered a significant asset for this role's collaborative requirements.

Education

  • Bachelor’s degree or BBA from a reputed university. A Master’s degree or MBA is preferred.
  • Graduation completed within the last 02 years
  • Preferred Fields- Nutrition, Health Economics, Business Administration, Agriculture, WASH, Development Studies, Statistics, Computer Science, Communication, or related disciplines

Others

  • Strong interest in the field of research, analytical skills, and commitment to learning. We will appreciate a recommendation letter from any researchers or university teachers who would be interested in supporting you for publishing an article as the main author.
  • Full-time
  • Should be available for the Full-time (40 hours/week) with flexibility for field visits

Terms & Conditions

  • Fellows will be required to comply with all applicable policies, procedures, and code of conduct of iDE Bangladesh.
  • Fellows must be available for the agreed fellowship duration, assignments, training sessions, and field activities as required by the program.
  • Due to the full-time nature of the fellowship, fellows are discouraged from engaging in any other full-time or part-time professional commitments during the fellowship period without prior approval from iDE Bangladesh.
  • Fellowship duration, financial support, work schedule, learning activities, and deliverables may be adjusted based on program requirements and organizational needs.

Fellowship Support

  • Fellows will receive a monthly stipend along with field travel support as per organizational policy.

Application Instruction

Interested candidates are requested to submit the following documents:

  • Updated CV (maximum 2 pages)
  • Highest Academic degrees transcript & certificate (Bachelor’s or Master’s/MBA)
  • A recommendation letter from a university teacher, researcher, or academic supervisor who is willing to support the applicant in publishing an article, conference paper, or journal publication (preferred)
  • A Statement of Purpose (maximum 500 words) covering:
  • Motivation for applying to the fellowship
  • Preferred thematic area(s) of interest
  • How the fellowship aligns with the applicant’s academic and career aspirations

Application Process: Please submit your application following the above instructions to the bangladesh-jobs@ideglobal.org. Please mark the subject line as “Application for Research Fellowship”.

Application Deadline: 03 June 2026

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview
(Any personal persuasion will result in disqualification)

Women are actively encouraged to apply

iDE provides a women-friendly work environment with flexible work arrangements, appropriate skill development opportunities, and good career development potential for high-performing individuals. We are committed to creating a diverse environment and are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. Employee selection and related decisions are made without regard to gender, race, age, disability, religion, national origin, color, or any other protected class.

Fraud Alert: Protect Yourself from Fraudulent Job Offers. Please be vigilant against any job postings falsely claiming to be from iDE. At no point in our recruitment process do we request payment, fees, or sensitive personal information from applicants. Ensure you are accessing genuine iDE job opportunities by visiting only our official social media pages (Facebook, LinkedIn) and recognized national and international job sites.