Senior Associate, Research

For over the last 30 years, the Akanksha Foundation is on a mission to build one of the largest and most innovative networks of schools in India. Akanksha has been at the forefront of demonstrating what’s possible for children from underserved communities. Today, Akanksha operates 26 schools in partnership with the governments of Mumbai, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Navi Mumbai, and Nagpur, serving approximately 14,000 children from Nursery to Grade 10. We are also reaching to another ~58,000 students through our Multiply Initiative - Project Setu, in collaboration with Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporations. Position: Senior Associate / Associate - Impact & Research Team: Impact & Research Reports to: Manager - Impact & Research As a Senior Associate / Associate, you will play a key role in collaboratively driving the monitoring and evaluation framework at Akanksha, both at the programmatic and organizational levels. Working closely with the Manager, you will refine and implement data collection tools, transforming qualitative and quantitative data into insightful reports and visualizations for diverse organizational needs. You will collaborate with various teams to integrate findings into Akanksha’s strategy, operations, funding proposals, reports, and other internal and external communications. About the Team: The Impact & Research team plays a vital role in collecting, analyzing, and utilizing data to measure and enhance the effectiveness of Akanksha’s programs - The School Project, Alumni Program and Project Setu. The team is responsible for data collection, interpretation, and statistical analysis, translating insights into reports for both internal and external stakeholders. Additionally, the team functions as a central repository of insights and evidence, acquiring data from primary and secondary sources to inform Akanksha’s strategy and contribute to the broader education landscape, both nationally and internationally. It also focuses on developing standardized measurements, curating knowledge, evaluating program impact, and managing external research collaborations. Developing and maintaining a robust Monitoring & Evaluation framework to enhance the organization’s focus on results and impact, improving its ability to identify, communicate, and maximize the effectiveness of its programs. ● Managing and continuously improving data collection methods, tools, and reporting parameters to align with strategic objectives. ● Transforming data into insightful reports, presentations, and dashboards to effectively communicate key performance indicators to internal and external stakeholders. ● Overseeing and managing Akanksha’s MIS systems, ensuring adherence to the organization's Data Policy and maintaining data quality through validation processes. ● Building the capacity of teams across the organization to uphold data collection processes, maintain data quality standards, and accurately document, interpret, and utilize insights. ● Providing on-ground support through fi eld visits for data discussions, capacity building, and strengthening data-driven decision-making. ● Curating and maintaining a comprehensive database of statistics and reports on the education sector at national and international levels. ● Leveraging data insights & program understanding to conceptualize or support research initiatives. Experience: ● 2-3 years’ experience in Monitoring and Evaluation (preferably in social impact data collection, analysis and insights generation). Proficiency in maintaining databases, developing and implementing data collection systems, data mining & analytics (Descriptive & Predictive analytics). ● Proficiency in MS Offi ce (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Workspace (Drive, Sheets, Forms) and data visualization tools (Looker Studio, Tableau). ● Knowledge of EdERP & Statistical Analysis Software (SPSS, STATA, R). ● Knowledge of major quantitative & qualitative research methodologies and proven ability to design monitoring tools. ● Ability to gather, analyze and evaluate data to prepare and present concise and insightful reports. ● Demonstrated ability to balance multiple tasks, work independently with minimal supervision, and collaborate effectively with various teams. ● Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. Bachelor’s degree in fields such as Social Sciences, Maths, Statistics, Economics, or a recognized professional qualification in monitoring & evaluation.