Job Openings
Senior Program Lead- Research & Design – STEP, Patna
About the job Senior Program Lead- Research & Design – STEP, Patna
Role: Senior Program Lead- Research & Design – STEP, Patna
Experience: 5 to 8 years
Salary: 8 to 12 LPA
____________________________________________
We are a non-profit organization working with governments to transform public education systems in India so that millions of children can learn better, grow stronger, and thrive. We partner closely with state education departments to design and implement reforms at scale, strengthening leadership, governance, and classroom practice across public schools. Our work is grounded in the belief that lasting change happens when governments lead their own transformation.
About the Project
We have been working closely with the education department of Bihar since 2021. Our approach is to strengthen education leadership at various levels through collective action by leveraging technology to drive school improvement. The program focuses on: Designing and implementing a project-based learning program for grades 6-8 in all 38 districts in math, science, and social subjects in collaboration with state education bodies. Enabling District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) to design need-based Teacher Professional Development (TPD) using digital micro-improvement tools. Deeper interventions in specific districts (such as Lakhisarai and Gaya) to strengthen implementation through governance and academic support at district, block, and complex levels.
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 the state education program. 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, 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 state academic councils and teacher training institutes. Establish 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 research questions and use evidence to inform shifts in program strategy and document organizational 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 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., KoboToolbox, Google Forms, Typeform, 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 education officials 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
1. Education: Master's degree in Education, Social Sciences, Statistics, Public Policy, or a related field.
2. Experience: 5–8 years of experience in Research & MEL, preferably in government education programs or the development sector.
3. Core MEL Expertise: Hands-on experience in designing Theories of Change and corresponding MEL frameworks. Experience designing and conducting evaluations (sampling, tool review, quantitative/qualitative data analysis). 4. Sector Knowledge: Familiarity with evaluation methods for education programs (e.g., agile evaluation, implementation research, longitudinal studies), understanding of child development/learning outcomes, and basic knowledge of costing.
5. Technical Skills: Strong Excel skills (data cleaning, formulas, pivot tables, and visualization). Survey design and administration via KoboToolbox, Typeform, Qualtrics, etc. Working knowledge of data analysis software (e.g., R, Stata, SPSS) or the ability to learn quickly. Experience building and maintaining data dashboards and reporting systems.
6. Travel: Willingness to travel within Bihar as required.
Benefits & Culture
A trust-based work environment that encourages independent thinking, questioning, and building solutions. An open and collaborative culture where teams are accessible and diverse perspectives are valued. 24 paid leaves and 14 calendar holidays. Health insurance coverage up to 5 LPA for the employee and dependents, alongside 5 LPA accidental insurance. One menstrual leave each month for women employees. ₹5,000 Learning & Development fund to pursue job-related learning opportunities.
Hiring Process:
Step 1: Resume Shortlisting
Step 2: Assignment
Step 3: Culture fit Interview
Step 4: Technical Interview