Head-MERA(Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Analysis)

Kotak Education Foundation; Mumbai; In loco; INR 1.500.000 - 2.300.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

Kotak Education Foundation seeks a senior leader to steer its MERA (Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Assessment) agenda and embed evidence-informed decision-making across all programmes in India. You will design strategic evaluations, align objectives with programme theory of change, and build an organisation-wide data and learning ecosystem to guide policy and resource allocation.

Responsibilities include leading the MERA strategy, developing assessment tools, and fostering partnerships with

Competenze

• 15+ years of experience in monitoring, evaluation, research or assessment.
• Experience in education, development, CSR, philanthropy or government sectors preferred.
• Experience with large-scale programme evaluation and impact assessments.
• Experience engaging CXOs and boards to drive strategic decisions.

Mansioni

• Lead KEF’s organisation-wide MERA strategy and integrated learning system.
• Design and oversee evaluations (baseline, mid-term, end-line) and related studies.
• Develop data governance and decision-support dashboards for leadership.
• Build external partnerships with universities and research bodies.
• Evolve MERA team structure and build capacity across programmes.

Conoscenze

M&E leadership

Monitoring & Evaluation

Research design

Data analytics

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Formazione

Postgraduate qualification in Education/Development Studies/Economics/Statistics/Management/Research Methodology/Data & Analytics

Descrizione del lavoro

Role & Responsibilities:

This leadership role will provide strategic direction to KEFs Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Assessment agenda and establish a robust, integrated and organisation-wide evidence and learning system. Its central purpose is to lead KEFs transition towards an organisation-wide culture of evidence-informed decision-making, ensuring that data, research and learning actively shape programme strategy, resource allocation and organisational priorities.

1. Organisation-wide MERA Strategy & Programme Design

1. Develop and periodically review KEFs overall MERA strategy, establishing common principles, standards, frameworks and protocols across programmes.
2. Build an organisation-wide Results / Impact Framework with common definitions for outputs, outcomes, impact, indicators and measurement.
3. Ensure alignment between programme objectives, activities, outputs, outcomes and intended impact across all interventions.
4. Balance standardisation across KEF with the flexibility that individual programmes legitimately require.
5. Partner with programme leaders from the design stage so that every major intervention has a clear problem statement, theory of change, results chain, outcome framework, measurable indicators, baselines and targets, measurement methodology, evaluation plan and learning agenda.
6. Ensure MERA is embedded into programme design from the outset rather than treated as an end-of-programme reporting activity.

2. Evaluation, Impact Assessment & Assessment Systems

1. Lead the design and implementation of evaluations that establish the effectiveness and impact of KEFs interventions – baseline, mid-term and end-line studies, and outcome, impact, process, comparative or longitudinal evaluations as appropriate.
2. Commission and oversee qualitative studies that explain participant experience and behavioural change alongside quantitative findings.
3. Undertake cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit assessments where relevant to portfolio and resourcing decisions.
4. Develop and strengthen assessment frameworks for KEF’s education interventions, ensuring tools are scientifically sound, valid, reliable and age- and context-appropriate.
5. Ensure assessment tools remain practical for field implementation, straightforward to interpret and capable of generating actionable insight.

3. Research & Knowledge Generation

1. Establish an annual and multi-year research agenda drawn from the priority questions emerging from KEF’s programmes.
2. Commission or undertake primary and secondary research, and analyse programme trends and emerging issues.
3. Generate evidence on what works, what does not work and under what conditions, and document promising practices and innovations.
4. Produce research papers, case studies, learning briefs and evidence reports, and pursue opportunities to publish KEF’s work in appropriate academic and sector forums.

4. Data Strategy, Analytics & Decision Support

1. Establish a robust data ecosystem covering data requirements, collection protocols, quality assurance mechanisms and integration across programmes where appropriate.
2. Provide strategic direction for dashboards, MIS and analytical tools..... generating timely insights for program and organisational decision-making.
3. Develop and maintain an organisation-wide Programme Performance & Impact Dashboard for the CEO and leadership team, covering reach, planned versus actual progress, output and outcome indicators, learning outcomes, programme quality, geographic performance, risks and evaluation findings.
4. Establish appropriate data governance, confidentiality and ethical standards, and safeguard data integrity across the organisation.
5. Leverage data analytics, data science, AI and emerging technologies to strengthen analysis, identify patterns and trends, generate actionable insights and support evidence-based decision-making.
6. Promote the effective use of data, AI and digital tools across programmes to strengthen planning, monitoring, learning and decision-making, while ensuring responsible and ethical use.
7. Establish appropriate data governance, confidentiality and ethical standards, and safeguard data integrity across the organisation.

5. Learning, Programme Support & Team Leadership

1. Create mechanisms that convert evidence into organisational learning – periodic programme learning reviews, evidence-based review meetings, cross-programme learning forums and documentation of lessons from implementation.
2. Work alongside programme heads and teams rather than only as an independent review function, helping them frame measurable objectives, develop indicators, design data collection systems and interpret findings.
3. Identify programme risks and gaps early and support course correction, strengthening documentation and review templates.
4. Build evaluation and data capability within programme teams.
5. Design and evolve the MERA team structure, roles and capabilities in line with KEF’s strategic priorities and growth, while building a culture of ownership, collaboration, intellectual honesty and continuous learning.

6. External Partnerships & Impact Reporting

1. Build strategic relationships with universities, research institutions, evaluation agencies, education experts, data and analytics organisations, government institutions and international foundations.
2. Identify and pursue opportunities for joint research, independent evaluations, technical partnerships, innovation pilots, knowledge exchange and sector-level dissemination.
3. Strengthen KEF’s ability to communicate its impact credibly, providing evidence and analysis for Annual Impact Reports, Board and management reviews, donor, partner and CSR reporting, and programme proposals.
4. Support leadership presentations, case studies and external communications with rigorous, well-interpreted evidence.

Candidate Specifications:

Educational Qualification

Postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline such as Education, Development Studies, Economics, Statistics, Management, Research Methodology, Data & Analytics or a related field. Candidates with an equivalent postgraduate qualification and substantial relevant professional experience may also be considered. A doctoral qualification would be an advantage but is not mandatory.

Years of Experience & other requirements

Seeking candidates with 15+ years’ relevant professional experience in monitoring, evaluation, research or assessment. Experience within the education, development, CSR, philanthropy or government ecosystem would be strongly preferred.

• Monitoring and evaluation of large-scale programmes, including the design and oversight of independent evaluations
• Research and impact assessment spanning both quantitative and qualitative methods
• Assessment design within education or social development programmes
• Data analytics and interpretation, and translating findings into decisions for senior stakeholders
• Involvement in programme strategy and design, and not measurement alone
• Experience with having worked with CXOs / senior management stakeholders and Boards
• Experience of having built and managed a small but high functioning team(s) to drive outcomes

Hours of work: 8 hours 6 days a week (2 week offs in a Month and all the Sundays will be holidays)

Working conditions: This role will also involve working in challenging community areas with infrastructural and other disadvantages.