Senior Project Manager- Research, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

We at Arthan are hiring for an organization dedicated to transforming the school education system in India and advancing childrens learning outcomes, especially for those from vulnerable socio-economic backgrounds. The RMEAL practice undertakes a range of research and M&E activities to understand the what works and why it works elements of driving systems improvement and impact.

The Research and M&E team is deeply engaged, advised, and mentored by renowned experts in the field. The Project Manager will join a high-caliber leadership team with collective experience working in corporate and development sector organizations such as BCG, IFMR, J-PAL, IGC, NITI Aayog, and the National Skill Development Corporation.

Position Summary

The Senior Project Manager, RMEAL will serve as a critical enabler for all team functions, supporting peers and senior members in operationalizing the team strategy. The role primarily involves work in the EdTech and School Governance portfolios of the RMEAL vertical, along with some engagement in Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) initiatives. The key responsibilities are as follows:

Roles & Responsibilities

Research, Monitoring, Evaluation & Assessments:

• Identify and devise appropriate research designs spanning quantitative, qualitative, process, and action research considering research objectives and implementation strategies.
• Conceptualize and design monitoring frameworks (including tools and processes) that can be adopted by internal teams, partner organizations, and government bodies.
• Contribute to the execution of rigorous quantitative and qualitative evaluations to understand the impact of programs on improving student learning and other pathways to change.
• Work on evaluation activities including developing Theories of Change, tool development, training for and managing data collection, and mixed-methods data analysis.
• Collaborate closely with central and state teams to strategize and execute student learning assessments, ensuring alignment with learning goals and standards.
• Oversee the quality and rigor of all aspects of assessments, from item creation to methodology.
• Undertake data analysis and assimilation, including quantitative and qualitative data analysis, secondary research, synthesis of findings and insights, and report writing.
• Manage all aspects of the project independently, with light supervision from a senior project manager.

Skills and Qualifications

• Minimum requirement of a Bachelors degree in relevant fields, including economics, statistics, public/education policy, or any related field with coursework on quantitative research methods. A relevant Masters degree would be preferable.
• 4-6 years of relevant professional experience in assessment, M&E, public policy research, and analysis at an impact-driven consulting firm, think-tank, or implementing agency.
• Strong technical skills in quantitative research methods and data analysis, along with knowledge of social science statistics/econometrics.
• Experience and fluency in working with either Stata or R.
• Proficiency in Microsoft and Google Suite (MS Excel/PowerPoint, Google Sheets/Slides).
• Ability to understand complex research/data and draw actionable insights.
• Working knowledge of experimental and quasi-experimental research designs (such as RCTs and Differences-in-Differences methodologies).
• Familiarity with assessments, item creation, and integrating assessments with teaching, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Excellent people and project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and influence internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong willingness to learn on the job and adopt new methodologies relevant to the work.
• Ability to work independently and proactively.
• Prior understanding of and experience in education policy-making and education-related studies, especially in India, will be an advantage.

Desired Qualities

• Strong expertise and experience in experimental and quasi-experimental research designs will be an added advantage.
• Knowledge and experience in qualitative methodologies (such as thematic coding) and prior experience in educational assessments, psychometrics, or Item Response Theory will be an advantage.
• Familiarity with data collection software (SurveyCTO, Tangerine, Kobo) and qualitative analysis software (NVivo, Dedoose) will be beneficial.
• Strong action-bias, influencing, and communication skillsthe ability to synthesize technical insights into actionable steps.
• Passion for making a scalable impact in education and belief in the possibility of foundational learning for all children.
• Willingness to adapt to the dynamic nature of work and travel to project locations.