RESEARCH INTERN, COMMUNITY HEALTH AND NUTRITION

About the Organisation

SPREAD (Society for Promoting Rural Education and Development) is a non-profit organisation based in Koraput, working with tribal and marginalised communities across southern Odisha. Its work spans community health, livelihood security and climate resilience.

About the Community Health and Nutrition Programme

SPREAD’s Community Health and Nutrition Programme works with tribal communities in Koraput to improve the health and nutrition of women, children and families. It promotes local, nutritious foods such as millets, strengthens community awareness, and helps families access public health and nutrition services and entitlements.

About the Internship

The selected intern will carry out an impact assessment of the programme and study how a changing climate is affecting food availability, diets and nutrition in tribal households. The study will connect these changes with the programme’s results and suggest ways to make community nutrition more climate-resilient.

Key Responsibilities

• Review programme documents, data, and literature on climate, food systems and nutrition in tribal Odisha.
• Develop the impact assessment framework and research tools (household survey, dietary diversity tools, FGD and interview guides) with the programme teams.
• Conduct field data collection with households, women’s groups, farmers, Anganwadi and ASHA workers, and other stakeholders.
• Document changes in local food systems: crops grown, forest foods, seasonal food availability and eating patterns, and how communities link these to changes in weather.
• Analyse qualitative and quantitative data to assess programme outcomes and their links with climate-related changes.
• Follow ethical research practice at all times, including informed consent and confidentiality.
• Prepare a final report and presentation with key findings and practical recommendations for climate-resilient nutrition.

Requirements

• Education: Postgraduate student or recent graduate in Public Health, Food and Nutrition, Development Studies, Environmental or Climate Studies, Economics, Rural Management, Agriculture or a related field.
• Skills: Sound understanding of research methods and impact assessment; data analysis and report writing; working knowledge of MS Excel.
• Language: Proficiency in Odia and English is required; knowledge of local tribal languages is an advantage.
• Other: Willingness to stay in Koraput and travel to remote villages for fieldwork.

What We Offer

• A monthly honorarium.
• Hands-on field research experience in health, nutrition and climate.
• Mentorship from experienced programme staff.
• An internship certificate on successful completion.