Monitoring And Evaluation Director

About Makkala Jagriti Makkala Jagriti is an award-winning, Bengaluru-based NGO working towards providing holistic development and learning opportunities for children and youth from marginalized communities since 2003. The organization works with government schools, Anganwadis, childcare institutions and urban poor communities enabling access and experience of quality education to the children and youth directly, while also influencing systems and actors to become child-centric, inclusive, and holistic in their approach.Inspired by the motto:Where you are born should not limit how far you go,the organization has impacted over 1.5 lakh children and youth across 14 districts of Karnataka so far, and is scaling rapidly, with plans to expand into other states as well.The organization has been certified as a Great Place to Work, three times in a row and is also recognized as India’s Best Places to work for women. As an organization, Makkala Jagriti places great emphasis on personal growth providing ample scope for learning, mentorship and leadership development, while also being part of deeply meaningful social transformation.Role Summary Makkala Jagriti is on an ambitious growth path - both in terms of expanding its reach and deepening its impact. We are looking for a dynamic, committed, enthusiastic and results-oriented individual to become a key part of the exciting growth journey in the position ofDirector - Monitoring and Evaluationto lead and strengthen the Impact Measurement function of the organization.TheDirector – Monitoring & Evaluationis a key leadership position in the organization and shall be responsible for the planning and designing the monitoring & evaluation of all programs, their outcomes and impact to ensure they are aligned to the overall goals of the organization. In addition to the core functional aspects of M&E, the role-holder shall also play an important role in influencing the outlook of the organization in aspects such as program design, advocacy, scaling and growth. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, this role offers the opportunity to influence organizational strategy and contribute to Makkala Jagriti’s overall growth and culture.Key Responsibilities Strategy & Leadership ● Define, lead, and implement the organization-wide M&E strategy aligned with organizational goals. ● Collaborate with the CEO, Board, and Program Heads to ensure alignment of M&E priorities with program and organizational strategy. ● Track organizational performance through metrics and dashboards, ensuring actionable insights for decision-making. ● Contribute to evidence based strategic planning, design, knowledge partnering and advocacy efforts of the organization ● Represent the organization in knowledge-based events and forums and be part of the thought-leadership efforts ● Build Makkala Jagriti’s reputation as a thought leader in the education and holistic development space through engagement in research, collaboration with universities and research organizations and publication of articles, white-papers, etc. Monitoring and Evaluation ● Develop and strengthen program-level and cross-organizational M&E frameworks including Theory of Change, Logic Models, and Indicators – that ensure relevant and high-quality outcome and impact measurement ● Design assessment tools, templates, and methodologies to evaluate program effectiveness ● Conduct regular field visits to ensure reliable deployment and effective use of M&E tools.● Lead qualitative and quantitative data analysis, generating actionable analytical reports for leadership and stakeholders – including creation and implementation of visual dashboards ● Collaborate with Program Leadership and Program design teams to refine program implementation strategies and methodologies based on data insights ● Provide oversight to M&E Coordinator(s) for data collection systems, validation, analytics and reporting ● Ensure timely reporting on M&E activities, including monthly, quarterly, and annual updates to the CEO and Director of Programs.Systems and Technology ● Oversee the creation and deployment of data management systems (MIS) to ensure accurate reporting and analysis. ● Lead the technology adoption and oversee the design, deployment, and continuous improvement of data management systems (MIS) across programs.Reporting, Communication and Knowledge Management ● Facilitate training and capacity-building for program teams on M&E frameworks, tools, MIS, and data interpretation. ● Drive internal knowledge-building and documentation efforts to deepen organizational learning and donor reporting. ● Translate impact data into insights for advocacy, communication to donors and partners, and knowledge building ● Plan and coordinate third-party and independent evaluation initiatives for MJ’s programs ● Collaboration with research institutions and reputed universities - both within and outside India - for studies and knowledge creation ● Bring in best practices from the sector (or beyond) and apply appropriately within the organizationOther Responsibilities ● Promote and champion the culture of MEL, data-driven decision making and data hygiene within the organization ● Maintain a strong feedback loop between field-level insights and strategic planning ● Ensure ethical data collection especially when working with vulnerable populations ● Support Makkala Jagriti’s Fundraising and Communications function with impact-oriented narratives, indicators and metrics ● Actively contribute to the organization’s strategic growth as a member of the Extended Leadership Team, influencing direction and development Who you are Education & Experience ● Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Social Work, Data Analytics, Education, Development Studies, or a related field. ● Minimum 10–12 years of professional experience, with at least 5–7 years in Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) or Management Information Systems (MIS) in the education or development sector. ● At least 4 years in a managerial or leadership role, overseeing M&E strategy, systems, and teams.Technical competencies ● Proven experience in designing assessment tools, data collection methodologies, and strategies to monitor program outcomes. ● Proficiency in quantitative and qualitative data analysis to generate insights and inform program decisions. ● Experience using M&E/MIS software such as Excel, Power BI, and Kobo Toolbox (or similar platforms). ● Skilled in developing data dashboards, analytical reports, and presenting findings to diverse audiences. ● Familiarity with outcome-focused tools such as Theory of Change, Logical Frameworks, and Results-Based Management (RBM).Programmatic and Other Competencies ● Experience working on multi-stakeholder programs across geographies or thematic areas (e.g., education, ECCE, youth development). ● Demonstrated ability to align M&E systems with broader organizational and programmatic goals. ● Experience in leading or supporting training and capacity-building initiatives for staff and partners on M&E. ● Strong written and verbal communication skills in English, with a track record of authoring impact reports, donor presentations, or research outputs. ● Proficiency in Kannada is a strong advantage.Personal / Behavioural Attributes● Strong analytical mindset with attention to detail and a drive for data accuracy. ● Demonstrated leadership and collaboration skills; able to work across functions and engage teams. ● Excellent written and verbal communication abilities. ● High adaptability, initiative, and proactiveness in a dynamic, evolving organizational environment. ● Strong ethical judgement, especially in the context of working with children and vulnerable populations. ● A mindset of continuous learning, curiosity, and openness to new ideas and feedback. Why Join Us ●Be part of a passionate, purpose-driven team creating lasting change ●Lead the Monitoring & Evaluation function for one of India’s most respected organizations in holistic education and become a key part of its growth journey ●Play a pivotal role in shaping the future of children and communities across India ●Experience the outstanding culture of a people-centered organization and innumerable opportunities for personal developmentTo Apply Send your resume and a note on what drives you to take up this role to:hrmj@makkalajagriti.orgLocation:Bangalore (Full-time) Reports to:CEO Minimum Experience Required:10–12 years