Field Associate

Note: This is a position for Without's independent impact arm (non-profit), Foundation Without.

At Foundation Without®, we are building pathways for urban informal poor households – beginning with waste-picker communities, to move from survival to stability, dignity and long-term mobility. Our work starts with relationships, listening and learning; we design systems with communities, not just for them.

That’s why this isn’t a typical field job.

We aren’t looking for someone to “collect data.”

We’re looking for someone who understands that community work is systems work, that dignity is built through trust, presence and truth.

If you believe change begins with listening, observing, and showing up with empathy, this might be your place.

What We Are Looking For

Community Builder

Someone who can build trust through consistency, clarity, and empathy-with-boundaries.

Ethnographer

You observe deeply, understand lived realities firsthand, and identify patterns without judgment or sensationalism.

Facilitator

You design and host workshops, small-group conversations, and community circles that feel safe and participatory.

Collaborator

You work well with local institutions, NGOs, schools, and internal teams – sharing insights openly and respectfully.

Systems Thinker

You can see beyond immediate challenges and understand the causes shaping community realities.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Education, or related field
• 2-3 years of experience in community mobilisation (urban/semi-urban settings preferred)
• Fluency in Marathi/Hindi and working proficiency in English
• Strong interpersonal, listening, and communication skills; ability to convey ideas simply and visually.
• Experience with participatory research (FGDs, surveys, etc.)
• Comfortable using computers, digital platforms, and AI-enabled tools for documentation, data entry, and presentations.
• Ability to learn new digital tools quickly and support the team in building tech-enabled workflows.
• Comfort working independently in field settings
• Emotional intelligence, cultural sensitivity, and a problem-solving mindset

What You'll Do

Community Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with households

• Facilitate workshops, group discussions, and community events. Use simple digital tools to enhance workshops and create visual, clear communication materials when needed

• Strengthen collective ownership and participation

Research & Documentation

• Conduct interviews, field visits, surveys, assessments and community observations and data analysis.

• Identify patterns in livelihoods, wellbeing, and system-level barriers

• Document stories of change while maintaining dignity and consent

• Organise data digitally and use AI-assisted tools (where helpful) for transcription, analysis, and structuring insights.

• Present findings in clean, easy-to-understand formats (presentations, briefs, snapshots)

Partnership Coordination

• Liaise with NGOs, research think tanks, institutes, and government programs

• Strengthen existing support systems and identify gaps

Volunteer Support

• Recruit and mentor community volunteers when required

• Facilitate reflection spaces for peer leaders

Program Design & Reporting

• Support early interventions (education, digital literacy, etc.)

• Maintain databases and track key indicators

• Prepare weekly and monthly reports

• Create clear presentations and session materials for digital literacy, computer-based learning, and community sessions.

Your Compensation

• An annual Cost-to-Company (CTC) between INR 3-5 lakhs.
• A 3-month mutual incubation period. Both you and we will have the option to end the agreement after three months if it isn’t working out.
• We provide benefits such as health insurance, flexible work hours (including unmonitored vacation) and Provident Fund contributions.
• We believe in keeping the organisational structure as flat as possible, where nobody really reports to anybody, but instead, we try and hold each other accountable for outcomes and processes.