The Senior Program Officer, Measurement, Learning and Evaluation (MLE), a recognized expert in research and evaluation, has responsibility for components of the overall MLE strategy and work plan in India. Working as part of a team, the Senior Program Officer will develop and lead a portfolio of MLE grants and efforts to improve results-based programming and decision making.
This technical expert will draw on theories and conceptual frameworks, innovative and emerging approaches in measurement, and the best technical expertise from India and globally to generate high quality research and evidence and promote evidence-informed decisions, policies and programs. It is a role that requires a high level of technical competency as well as a demonstrated ability to represent the foundation’s standards and interests in government and bilateral donor dialogues. The Senior Program Officer will manage research and evaluations across a range of ICO portfolios and projects with the goal of contributing insights and evidence to drive investment strategies and decisions. The work will cover a mix of domains with some combination of health systems design, health systems strengthening, coverage and delivery (nutrition, immunization, maternal, neonatal, reproductive, and child health services), poverty reduction and inclusion through digital financial inclusion, agriculture and water and sanitation. Research and evaluations will address issues such as evaluating the outcomes of technical assistance (e.g., on strategic purchasing, health financing, ICT); assessing efficiency, performance and effectiveness of government delivery channels; and measuring the impact of vouchers, incentives, and direct benefit transfers. The portfolio will also include costing and cost-effectiveness studies, rapid testing of pilot interventions, proof of concept studies, evaluations of programs implemented at scale with State governments, and portfolio-level evaluations. Geographies of focus and interest include Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Research and evaluation in all areas also focus on gender and equity.
The MLE team also works to strengthen the data and evidence ecosystem to produce better quality data more cheaply and rapidly for improved policy and programmatic decisions. Towards this end, an emphasis is being placed on innovations in measurement, data collection, analytics and dissemination and use in health and other sectors. The Senior Program Officer will contribute to this work by fostering and leading research around innovations, and in doing so, strengthen expertise, institutions and networks in India. The Senior Program Officer will ensure the dissemination and publication of research, measurement, and evaluation findings. There is an expectation that this technical leader will work in partnership with researchers, program implementers, and other stakeholders to publish and engage as a technical co-lead in research and evaluation design, analysis, and publication. The role requires collaboration and an ability to work across domain teams and stakeholders. It involves supporting other members of the MLE team in the design of outcome-focused investments. The individual will also support non-MLE staff to strengthen their skills in measurement and evaluation and to design and implement practical and rigorous monitoring and evaluation approaches with their grantees. In summary, to be effective, the role will require the demonstration and application of deep technical expertise and pragmatic experience.
- Plan, manage and execute a wide range of MLE activities in support of data-driven decision making and learning.
- Develop, manage and lead evaluations of programs and portfolios with responsibilities for evaluation design, quality assurance of implementation, leadership in analysis, and dissemination.
- Support Foundation Program staff to design, implement, quality assure, and disseminate programmatic lessons and evaluative insights.
- Work with government and other partners to identify opportunities within policies and programs to embed research, evaluation and learning (AB testing, building in experimentation through roll out adjustments, implementation research, etc.).
- Lead and innovate on measurement, data collection, analytics and use towards the goal of faster, cheaper data for decisions, including lean data methods.
- Coordinate the analysis and interpretation of data from evaluations, surveys, and other sources to provide navigational feedback on progress, key learnings and insights to grantees and Foundation staff.
- Draw out, visualize, and communicate key finding and learnings from MLE work within and across portfolios including to senior leadership at the Foundation and other stakeholders.
- Emphasize and drive evaluation use and dissemination to ensure the uptake of findings and insights in both rapid real time scenarios and in longer term processes such as through peer reviewed publications and journal supplements.
- Work with Foundation Program staff to strengthen grantee organizations’ MLE systems and support integration and or linkages between these systems and state systems.
- Identify, assemble and effectively manage the right team of researchers and evaluators as partners in MLE implementation and to build the field.
- Establish evaluation partnerships, including by issuing RFPs, reviewing letters of inquiry and grant proposals, and providing clear, concise and insightful written analyses and recommendations for funding.
- Build new evaluation and research talent in India by partnering with emerging institutions and forging linkages to help Indian institutions deepen leadership on evaluation theory, methods, and approaches.
- Actively contribute to building MLE knowledge and skills among Foundation staff.
- Manage portfolio progress while ensuring appropriate documentation, grant budgeting and reporting.
- Prepare and write briefs, policy documents, and editorials.
- Provide written analysis of key topics for Foundation management and support the Deputy Director on documentation and preparation around leadership requests to inform data-based decision making.
- Must be willing to travel both domestically and internationally, with estimated travel around 35%.
- 10-15 years’ experience in development research and/or evaluation.
- Experience conducting evaluation / research in India.
- Evaluation (or implementation science) thought leader with a proven record in high quality, use oriented evaluation or applied research.
- Solid understanding of existing systems, programs, delivery and monitoring systems in India.
- Strong analytical, research and evaluation design and methodological skills spanning a broad mix of quantitative and qualitative approaches.
- Creative and innovative – willing to experiment.
- Robust understanding of sampling designs and methods, and experience in modelling desired.
- A strong foundation in applied research and policy analysis is preferred with demonstrated experience, reflected in specific examples, in reaching a balance between rigor and pragmatism.
- Ability to synthesize and look across data to draw out key findings.
- Excellent command of the English language and superb written and oral communication skills.
- Proven track record of communicating complex sensitive technical issues to a broad and diverse audience.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate and communicate effectively in a matrixed team environment and with diverse professionals and cultures.