Senior Manager Research and Evaluation

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated, analytical, and strategic professional to serve as Senior Manager – Research & Evaluation. This role will lead the design, implementation, and oversight of research and evaluation initiatives within primary school education programs, with a focus on foundational learning in low-resource settings. The role will help generate high-quality evidence to inform program design, improve implementation, and demonstrate impact.

This position is ideal for candidates with a deep understanding of India's education landscape, particularly in early-grade learning, and a strong background in designing and managing mixed-methods research and evaluations.

Key Responsibilities1. Research Design and Implementation

• Design and lead rigorous qualitative and quantitative research studies, including primary and secondary research.
• Develop research frameworks, methodologies, tools, and protocols aligned with national and global education standards.
• Collaborate with academic institutions, consultants, and research partners for co-design and implementation of studies.

2. Research and Evaluation Strategy

• Strengthen existing research and evaluation frameworks and systems to track program outcomes and impact.
• Integrate learning agendas into evaluation processes for adaptive program management.
• Create and manage theories of change, log frames, and indicator matrices in collaboration with program teams.
• Develop a 3-year research and evaluation strategy aligned with the organization's five-year goals.

3. Data Management and Analysis

• Oversee data collection, quality assurance, and analysis processes.
• Use statistical software (e.g., SPSS, STATA, R) and qualitative tools (e.g., NVivo, ) to derive insights.
• Ensure ethical, secure, and accessible data management in compliance with data protection standards.

4. Reporting and Dissemination

• Develop high-quality reports, policy briefs, presentations, and publications.
• Present research findings to internal and external stakeholders including government officials, funders, and education forums.

5. Capacity Building and Technical Support

• Build capacity of internal program teams on research methodologies and data tools.
• Provide technical support for field-level research and evaluation activities.
• Mentor interns or research associates as needed.

6. Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with internal teams, government bodies, funders, and partners to explore and execute relevant research initiatives.
• Provide evidence-based inputs for strategic planning and fundraising.

Qualifications & Experience

• Master's or PhD in Education, Development Studies, Public Policy, Economics, Statistics, or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in research and evaluation, ideally within the education or public systems space.
• Expertise in experimental and quasi-experimental research designs, mixed-methods, and participatory research approaches.
• Proficiency in data analysis and interpretation using quantitative and qualitative tools.
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse stakeholders including government, NGOs, and academic institutions.
• Excellent writing, communication, and presentation skills.

Preferred Skills & Attributes

• Familiarity with India's education policies (e.g., NEP 2020) and global education goals (e.g., SDG 4).
• Ability to operate independently while maintaining strong collaboration and consultation frameworks.
• Experience with large-scale education-focused evaluations, longitudinal studies, and outcome measurement tools.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights.
• Knowledge of systems thinking and evidence-informed programming.

Desirable (Bonus)

• Prior publications in peer-reviewed journals or education research platforms.
• Lived experience or deep exposure to foundational literacy and numeracy challenges in India.
• Experience with innovative research design models such as design thinking or systems thinking.
• Ability to create and facilitate internal learning hubs or communities of practice.

Travel Requirement

Willingness to travel to program locations across India – approx. 20–30% of the time.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: Up to ₹1,800,000.00 per year

Application Question(s):

• Current CTC
• Expected CTC
• Notice Period
• Current Location

Work Location: In person