Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) Jobs 2026 offer an opportunity for experienced research professionals who want to contribute to skills development, employment research, and evidence-based policy planning in Pakistan. PSDF has announced a career opportunity for the position of Assistant Manager – Research. The role focuses on applied research, programme evaluation, labour market analysis, surveys, and the preparation of reports that help management and development partners make informed decisions.
The position is based in Lahore and is suitable for candidates with a relevant master's degree and at least five years of professional experience in research, evaluation, or policy analysis. Applicants should have experience in designing surveys, managing research projects, analysing data, and evaluating the results of development programmes. Experience in tracer studies, baseline research, and impact evaluations is particularly relevant to the responsibilities of this position.
The successful candidate will work with different teams and external research partners to plan studies, maintain data quality, prepare research reports, and turn findings into practical recommendations. The job also requires strong communication skills, knowledge of statistical tools, and an understanding of Pakistan's technical and vocational education and training sector.
This article explains the job details, qualification requirements, experience, responsibilities, required skills, benefits, and application process. Candidates should read the complete information and check the official PSDF careers page before applying.
PSDF Assistant Manager Research Jobs 2026 – Job Details
The following table summarises the available information about the Assistant Manager – Research position. Details that are not confirmed in the supplied job listing are marked accordingly rather than estimated.
| Job Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Job Title | Assistant Manager – Research |
| Hiring Organization | Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) |
| Department / Function | Research, Evaluation and Policy Analysis |
| Job Type | Full-time |
| Work Arrangement | On-site |
| Location | Lahore, Punjab |
| Region | Punjab |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Street Address | PSDF office, Lahore; exact street address not specified in the supplied listing |
| Postal Code | Not specified |
| Posted Date | 13 October 2026 |
| Expiry Date | 13 December 2026 |
| Application Deadline | Not specified on the supplied official career page extract; confirm on the official listing |
| Salary | 1,800,000–2,400,000 |
| Salary Currency | PKR |
| Education | Master's degree in Economics, Development Studies, Public Policy, Statistics, Social Sciences, or a related discipline; the official listing also describes BS from a foreign university or equivalent |
| Minimum Experience | Five years of relevant experience |
| Preferred Experience | Applied research, programme evaluation, policy analysis, survey management, baseline studies, tracer studies, and impact evaluations |
| Employer's Official Job Page | https://www.psdf.org.pk/career/assistant-manager-research/ |
| Secondary Job Listing | https://www.jobleads.com/pk/job/assistant-manager-research-policy-fieldwork-lahore--model-town-tehsil--e806f9589e327b93daa1e64227ac2892b |
Date clarification: The date 13 December 2026 is included for editorial review purposes only. It is not a verified application deadline. Applicants should check the official PSDF career page to confirm whether the vacancy is still accepting applications.
Salary clarification: The annual salary range above comes from the supplied secondary listing, not from the detailed official career-page text provided. It should therefore be treated as a reported range rather than a guaranteed offer. The listing does not clarify whether this figure includes bonuses or other benefits.
About Punjab Skills Development Fund
Punjab Skills Development Fund is a skills development organisation that works to improve access to training and employment opportunities for people in Pakistan. Its stated purpose is to support disadvantaged and vulnerable young people by connecting them with quality skills training and opportunities to earn a sustainable income.
According to the organisation's career information, PSDF began its operations in four of Punjab's poorest districts. Since 2016, its geographical reach has expanded to all 36 districts of Punjab and to other districts in Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The organisation reports having trained almost 600,000 young people across Punjab in more than 250 demand-driven trades across eight sectors.
Research plays an important role in skills development because training programmes need to respond to the needs of employers and the labour market. Research findings can help organisations understand which skills are in demand, whether training programmes are achieving their intended outcomes, and where improvements may be needed.
The Assistant Manager – Research position supports this work by helping PSDF collect reliable evidence, evaluate programmes, and prepare recommendations for management, government forums, and development partners.
What Does an Assistant Manager – Research Do?
The main objective of this position is to lead and support the design and delivery of PSDF's research, evaluation, and knowledge activities. The role involves gathering evidence about labour market demand, examining programme outcomes, and assessing the impact of skills development initiatives.
The employee will help organise research studies, manage surveys, monitor the quality of collected data, and analyse findings. They will also coordinate with consultants, research organisations, academic partners, and internal teams to ensure that research assignments meet their objectives and timelines.
Another important part of the role is converting research findings into information that decision-makers can understand and use. This may include reports, policy briefs, sector studies, case studies, and presentations.
The position is therefore suitable for a professional who combines research knowledge with project management, analytical thinking, communication skills, and an interest in development-sector work.
Key Responsibilities of the Assistant Manager – Research
1. Prepare Research Plans
The selected candidate will help prepare and implement the functional operating plan and annual research agenda. These plans should support the department's objectives and the wider goals of PSDF.
This responsibility requires the employee to organise research priorities, plan activities, and coordinate the work needed to complete studies on time.
2. Design and Manage Programme Evaluations
The role includes managing different types of programme evaluations, including baseline studies, mid-programme assessments, tracer studies, and impact evaluations.
The employee will help develop research designs, select appropriate sampling strategies, prepare survey instruments, establish quality assurance procedures, and plan data analysis. Good planning is essential because research findings are only useful when the data collection and analysis processes are reliable.
3. Manage External Research Consultants
The Assistant Manager – Research will help prepare Terms of Reference for research assignments and manage external consultants, research firms, and academic partners.
Responsibilities include supporting procurement and onboarding processes, reviewing inception reports, checking research tools, monitoring fieldwork reports, and reviewing final deliverables. The employee must ensure that external partners meet the agreed quality standards and deadlines.
4. Establish Baselines for New Programmes
The job includes ensuring that baseline research arrangements are ready for newly launched programmes. Research tools, sampling frames, and data readiness should be prepared at or before the start of classes whenever required.
A baseline provides a starting point against which later results can be measured. It helps an organisation understand what changed during a programme and whether its intended outcomes were achieved.
5. Conduct Labour Market and Demand Analysis
Research findings will help PSDF identify labour market needs, prioritise sectors, and understand different beneficiary groups.
The employee will contribute evidence to programme designs, PC-1 documents, concept notes, scheme plans, and presentations for management and government forums. This work helps connect training programmes with practical employment opportunities.
6. Prepare Research Reports and Knowledge Products
The role includes producing research reports, case studies, policy briefs, sector studies, and blogs. The employee will coordinate with the Marketing and Communications team to review, design, and distribute these materials.
Research reports should be accurate and easy to understand. The ability to explain technical findings in straightforward language is therefore an important part of the job.
7. Maintain Research and Outcome Data
The Assistant Manager – Research will maintain and analyse research and outcome datasets, including baseline data, tracer study results, and Management Information System (MIS) data.
The employee may also develop dashboards that help management understand programme performance and use the findings in decision-making.
8. Support Proposals and Donor Engagement
The position contributes research evidence and analysis to proposals, concept notes, donor engagement, and reporting requirements for development partners.
Reliable research can help explain the need for a programme, show what it has achieved, and identify areas where further investment or improvement may be useful.
9. Coordinate Fieldwork and Data Quality
The employee will coordinate with Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), Programme, and Procurement teams on data collection plans, enumerator training, field logistics, and data quality assurance.
The role also requires adherence to the organisation's research, procurement, and audit standard operating procedures.
10. Follow Research Ethics and Data Privacy Standards
Research must be conducted responsibly. The role includes ensuring informed consent, protecting personal information, and following safeguarding requirements.
Special care is needed when studies involve women, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups. The employee should understand how to protect participants and handle sensitive information appropriately.
11. Share Findings and Support Team Development
The position may involve representing the research function at dissemination events, validation workshops, and technical working groups. The employee will also supervise and mentor assigned research staff.
Other duties may be assigned from time to time, according to the organisation's requirements.
Eligibility Criteria for PSDF Jobs 2026
Candidates should review the education and experience requirements carefully before submitting an application.
Educational Qualification
The official PSDF career information specifies a master's degree in one of the following fields, or a related discipline:
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Economics
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Development Studies
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Public Policy
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Statistics
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Social Sciences
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A related academic discipline
The listing also mentions a BS degree from a foreign university or an equivalent qualification, from an HEC-recognised institution. Applicants should check the official vacancy page for the exact interpretation of the alternative qualification route and confirm whether their degree meets the employer's requirements.
Formal training or certification in monitoring and evaluation, impact evaluation, or applied statistics is preferred.
Professional Experience
Candidates must have at least five years of relevant professional experience in applied research, programme evaluation, or policy analysis, preferably within the development sector.
The official listing also highlights experience in managing teams and overseeing externally contracted studies from start to finish.
Relevant experience may include:
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Designing and managing surveys
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Developing sampling strategies
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Preparing questionnaires and research instruments
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Training enumerators
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Supervising fieldwork
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Maintaining data quality
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Managing baseline and tracer studies
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Conducting impact evaluations
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Reviewing research reports and deliverables
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Coordinating external consultants and research firms
Candidates should explain their experience clearly in their CV, using examples of work they have actually completed.
Knowledge of Pakistan's Skills and Labour Market Sector
The role requires working knowledge of Pakistan's technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sector and labour market environment.
Familiarity with national data sources, including the Labour Force Survey (LFS), Pakistan Social and Living Standards Measurement Survey (PSLM), Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), and NAVTTC or TEVTA Management Information Systems, is relevant to the position.
Experience with results frameworks, logical frameworks, and donor-funded research requirements may also be valuable.
Skills Required for the Position
The Assistant Manager – Research position requires both technical research skills and the ability to communicate findings effectively.
Research and statistical skills: Candidates should have strong quantitative and qualitative research skills, including sampling, questionnaire design, discussion guide preparation, significance testing, and basic regression analysis.
Statistical software: The job description names Stata, R, SPSS, or Python as relevant statistical tools. Advanced Excel skills are also required.
Data visualisation: Experience with Power BI or Tableau is preferred because dashboards can help present research findings clearly.
Digital data collection: Working knowledge of KoBo Toolbox, SurveyCTO, or ODK is relevant to survey and fieldwork management.
Report writing: The employee must be able to turn technical research findings into clear recommendations for readers who may not have a technical background.
Presentation skills: Strong communication and presentation skills in English and Urdu are required.
Project management: The role involves managing several studies at the same time, meeting deadlines, and ensuring that consultants deliver work according to agreed quality standards.
Ethics and inclusion: Candidates should understand research ethics, data privacy, safeguarding, gender sensitivity, and inclusive research practices.
Problem-solving and leadership: Strong analytical thinking, decision-making, teamwork, initiative, and the ability to manage change are also important.
Salary and Benefits
The supplied secondary listing reports an annual salary range of PKR 1,800,000 to PKR 2,400,000 for the Assistant Manager – Research position. This is not confirmed in the official career-page text supplied for this article, so candidates should verify the current salary package directly with PSDF.
The official PSDF career information describes several potential employment benefits, including professional development and career growth opportunities. It also highlights the opportunity to work in an innovation-driven environment focused on youth skills development, employment, and entrepreneurship.
The exact benefits, allowances, and terms of employment should be confirmed with the employer during the recruitment process.
Work Location and Employment Type
The secondary listing identifies the position as a full-time, on-site job in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. It associates the location with Model Town Tehsil, but the exact street address and postal code were not provided in the supplied material.
Candidates should confirm the reporting location and office details with PSDF before attending an interview or submitting any documents that require an office address.
How to Apply for PSDF Assistant Manager Research Jobs 2026
Candidates interested in this opportunity should apply through the official PSDF career page.
Official application page:
https://www.psdf.org.pk/career/assistant-manager-research/
Follow these steps:
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Open the official PSDF career page using the link above.
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Read the current vacancy details and confirm that applications are still being accepted.
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Review the required qualifications, experience, and skills.
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Prepare an updated CV highlighting your research, evaluation, survey management, and policy analysis experience.
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Include accurate details about your education, professional responsibilities, research projects, and relevant software skills.
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Follow the application instructions provided on the official page and submit the requested information.
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Save a copy of your application and any confirmation received.
The supplied source material does not provide a confirmed application deadline or a complete list of documents