Head - Data systems

About The Organization
The Antara Foundation (TAF) envisions a world where women and children do not suffer from preventable health conditions. We believe that every mother and each child deserve an equal start to a healthy life. We support the public health system deliver solutions at scale, to improve maternal and child health outcomes, by partnering with government and communities. Interventions of The Antara Foundation follow two closely integrated paths: to help the government system deliver better quality health care to the community and to support the community to mobilize and seek better health outcomes.

We are a young, energetic, and passionate team, working across eight districts, 38 blocks, 5,700 villages, with 20,000 Frontline Health Workers (FLWs), and reaching 379,000 women and 650,000 children in central India. Over the next few years, we see ourselves spreading across multiple locations in India to implement our solutions and to create an impact at scale.

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Reporting to
: Chief Executive Officer

Location:
Delhi, with travel to intervention districts as required

Position Summary
The Head of Data Systems will lead TAF's data functions, including effective program monitoring, data-driven insights and impact analysis, and strategic alignment across TAF. In this role, the Head of Data Systems will lead TAF's efforts to implement high-quality data collection, analysis, and reporting systems. The role requires working closely with program teams to measure impact, as well as contribute to program design. The Head of Data Systems will focus on continuously innovating on monitoring tools and approaches, leading a team of data specialists, and contributing to the organization's overall strategy. This position requires strong leadership, technical expertise in M&E processes, and the ability to collaborate across teams and functions to ensure TAF's programs deliver measurable impact.

Responsibilities
The Head of Data Systems will lead in the following areas:

Program monitoring

• Lead a team of Senior Associates and Associates to develop and manage data collection, quality control, analysis and reporting frameworks to monitor program implementation and outputs.
• Identify relevant indicators to track inputs, outputs, and outcomes along program Theory of Change.
• Manage multiple data tools and systems; conceptualize and implement innovations in TAF's monitoring system to match the highest industry standards.
• Oversee the transition to a new database management system, including project management, stakeholder coordination, design and training, and alignment with evolving program needs.

Data-driven insights and impact analysis

• Lead the team to conceptualize and create program dashboards to provide real-time insights in an easy to access manner.
• Use program monitoring data to provide timely insights for effective program implementation to the Program Directors, and collaborate on how best to use data for decision making
• Work closely with the Knowledge Management team to codify and analyze data trends for impact studies.
• Primary responsibility for distilling program data for periodic reporting to donors, as well as for presentation to external stakeholders.

Strategic and Operational Leadership

• Work closely with the program teams to ensure a smooth transition to the new DBMS system – troubleshoot issues, evaluate need for improvements and provide continuous guidance, training and handholding of teams as needed.
• Work in close collaboration with the CEO, the Program Leadership, and the Knowledge Management and Communications team to translate data findings into key messages, research areas/papers, and strategic decision making
• Work in collaboration with the program and donor development team to capture and report program progress and implementation insights.
• Manage multiple projects/workstreams, ensuring high-quality output, and timely delivery – contributing directly to the achievement of our organizational goals.
• Generate actionable insights into program strengths and gaps, and work with the senior leadership to use these insights in improving program design and implementation.
• Contribute to the overall strategy and planning process for the organization, as well as brainstorm on new initiatives, partnerships, and programs.
• Represent TAF at external meetings, conferences, and events, as required. Support TAF in external partnership projects as required.
• Support the design and implementation of evaluation studies, to assess the impact of program interventions from time to time including support of data collection, use of government data, coordination with external and independent experts and third-party evaluators

Team Management

• Coach and mentor reportees in developing and managing the M&E system and processes and contribute to their professional growth.
• Train and orient program team members on data collection, analysis and interpretation techniques.
• Design the structure of the data team in ways that maximizes effectiveness and efficiency.

Skills And Experience Required.
We are looking for a future leader who is a self-starter, humble, creative thinker whose strengths lie in data analysis and strategic problem-solving. They would also have the following credentials –

• A Master's in Public Health/ Statistics/ Economics/ Development Studies / Population Studies or other related fields
• At least 8 years work experience in leading and managing data systems for mid to large size social purpose organizations; experience in public health would be preferred
• Advanced knowledge of statistical methods and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data packages like SPSS, STATA, NVivo
• Familiarity with data collection and aggregation tools, designing data-linked reports, summary dashboards and database management systems; expertise in using tools like ODK, Google Data Studios, PowerBi, advanced Excel and google sheets
• Knowledge of result-based management systems/ approaches like logical framework, logic model, Outcome Mapping (OM), Theory of Change (ToC), Social Frameworks, Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), Impact evaluation, Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs), Process evaluation, Implementation Research methods, would be desirable.
• Understanding of various government data portals, particularly in public health and nutrition.
• Experience in designing and implementing program evaluations or research projects would be preferred but not essential.
• Excellent skills in oral and written communications - ability to present information in a structured and insightful manner.