Program Lead/ Senior Program Lead - Research & Design (STEP …, Bihar

About the role The Lead/Senior Lead- State Research & Design will anchor the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of the monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) framework for STEP Bihar. The role involves building robust data systems, leading research and evaluation studies, and translating evidence into actionable insights that strengthen program quality and government decision-making. The position requires strong technical expertise in MEL, deep familiarity with Bihar s education ecosystem, and the ability to work in close collaboration with the program team, government stakeholders, and external research partners. Roles and Responsibilities 1. MEL Framework Design & Implementation
- Design and own the overall MEL framework for STEP Bihar, including Theory of Change, indicators, data collection tools, and reporting structures.
- Develop and maintain SMART indicators aligned with program outcomes at state, district, block, and school levels.
- Lead the design and implementation of baseline, midline, and endline assessments in partnership with SCERT and DIETs.
- Establish and enable monthly and quarterly review structures at state and district levels, using data dashboards to facilitate data-driven decision-making.
- Ensure quality assurance of all data collection, entry, and analysis processes. 2. Research, Evaluation & Learning
- Design and implement evaluation studies using appropriate research designs including agile evaluation, implementation research, and longitudinal studies.
- Develop appropriate research questions and use evidence to inform shifts in program strategy and document organisational learnings.
- Lead annual endline student assessment surveys to measure learning outcomes and inform continuous improvement.
- Produce concise, data-driven reports, fact sheets, and visual outputs tailored to different audiences internal teams, government partners, and funders.
- Provide technical support and coaching to program team members to strengthen MEL practice at all levels. 3. Data Systems & Knowledge Management
- Build and maintain data management and reporting systems including dashboards with strong documentation and data quality assurance to support KPIs and project performance.
- Design and administer surveys using online tools (e.g., Kobo Toolbox, Google Forms, Type form, or similar) and ensure data integrity across sources.
- Maintain clear records of program activities, decisions, and learnings to support institutional memory and funder reporting.
- Draft concept notes, MEL plans, proposals, and presentations for internal and external stakeholders. 4. Stakeholder Engagement & Capacity Building
- Build and maintain relationships with state and district officials, including SCERT, Samagra Shiksha, DIETs, and DEOs, for collaborative data collection and review.
- Represent the MEL function in key state-level review meetings and consultations.
- Design and facilitate learning design sessions and workshops for government and internal teams to build MEL capacity.
- Support the Program Manager and Senior Program Manager in planning, strategy, and reporting across workstreams. Skills & Qualifications Required:
- Master s degree in education, Social Sciences, Statistics, Public Policy, or related field, with 5 8 years of experience in Research & MEL preferably in government education programs or the development sector.
- Must have hands-on experience in designing theories of change and corresponding monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) frameworks.
- Must have hands-on experience in designing and conducting evaluations, including choosing the right approach, deciding sample size, reviewing tools, analysing data, and using both quantitative and qualitative methods.
- Should be familiar with evaluation methods for education programs (e.g., agile evaluation, implementation research, longitudinal studies), understands child development and learning outcomes, and has basic knowledge of costing.
- Demonstrates solid Excel skills, including data cleaning, use of formulas, pivot tables, and visualisation.
- Experience in developing and maintaining data management and reporting systems (including dashboards), with strong documentation practices and data quality checks to support KPIs and organisational data needs.
- Solid skills in survey design, administration, and analysis using tools like Kobo Toolbox, Type form, Qualtrics, or similar.
- Working knowledge of basic data analysis software (e.g., R, Stata, SPSS) or the ability to learn quickly.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in Hindi and English, with the ability to create clear, data-driven reports and visuals.
- Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills, including supporting programme teams to strengthen MEL practices.
- Willingness to travel within Bihar as required. Apply on Kit Job: kitjob.in/job/4lnwuk