Head MEL, Delhi, Mumbai & Bangalore

Role: Head MEL, Delhi, Mumbai & Bangalore
Experience: 15+ years
Salary band: Upto 33 LPA

Note: A remote arrangement is feasible from the respective locations with travel as and when required. ________________________________________________________

Role Summary

The Head – Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) will lead the organization's evidence, research, and impact measurement agenda. The successful candidate will be responsible for designing and implementing robust M&E frameworks, generating actionable insights, building high-quality knowledge products, and strengthening evidence-based decision-making across programs. This role requires working closely with internal teams, donors, clients, implementation partners, and external stakeholders to demonstrate impact, support strategy development, and drive growth opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Lead and strengthen the organization's MEL function, ensuring high standards of evidence generation and data-driven decision-making.
• Develop and implement MEL strategies, frameworks, and systems aligned with organizational priorities and donor requirements.
• Foster a culture of learning and continuous improvement across all programs and internal teams.

Impact Measurement and Research

• Provide strategic oversight for impact evaluations and research studies, including research design, sampling frameworks, survey administration, data analysis, and dissemination of findings.
• Lead the development of robust evidence bases through experimental and quasi-experimental methodologies, regression analysis, and advanced statistical techniques.
• Ensure the quality, reliability, and integrity of data across its entire lifecycle, from collection design to final reporting.

Data Analytics and Knowledge Management

• Oversee data analysis plans and conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis using appropriate statistical tools and software.
• Drive the creation of dashboards, insights, reports, case studies, white papers, research briefs, and thought leadership pieces for internal and external audiences.
• Develop in-depth case studies capturing program design, implementation challenges, beneficiary journeys, and measurable outcomes, converting field-level evidence into compelling narratives.
• Build and maintain a structured repository of knowledge assets, establishing editorial standards, review processes, and production timelines.
• Institutionalize learning processes and facilitate consistent knowledge exchange across ecosystem partners to inform program and strategy decisions.

Fundraising and Business Development

• Build strong evidence-backed impact narratives to support fundraising efforts, organizational positioning, and advocacy initiatives.
• Contribute analytical inputs, research notes, and evidence for proposals, concept notes, and donor engagements.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities related to monitoring, evaluation, research, and impact assessment services with corporates, foundations, and development sector stakeholders.
• Support the development of pitch decks, proposals, and communication collateral to showcase organizational capabilities.

Stakeholder Management & Team Leadership

• Collaborate with internal teams (Program Implementation, Technology, Growth & Innovation, Communications, and Leadership) to ensure effective data utilization.
• Prepare, translate, and share periodic monitoring, evaluation, and partner-ready impact reports with key funders and partners, ensuring alignment with timelines and quality standards.
• Manage relationships and resolve operational challenges with funders, corporates, implementation partners, research agencies, and consultants.
• Build, mentor, and manage a high-performing MEL team (up to 3 members) while fostering capability development across the wider organization.

Innovation and Process Excellence

• Drive continuous improvement in MEL methodologies, introducing innovative techniques for data collection, visualization, and reporting.
• Leverage digital tools and technology to enhance workflow efficiency and data quality.

Skills and Qualifications

Technical Skills

• Education: Post-graduation is mandatory, preferably in disciplines such as Economics, Econometrics, Statistics, Data Science, or related fields.
• Experience: Minimum of 15 years of post-qualification experience in the social impact / development sector.
• Functional Expertise: Proven experience in impact evaluation, M&E, experimental/quasi-experimental research designs, market research, and needs assessments.
• Software Proficiency: Advanced proficiency in statistical packages (e.g., STATA and/or R), SurveyCTO, and MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
• Preferred (Not Essential): Domain experience in India’s financial inclusion, MSMEs, skilling, and livelihoods landscape; knowledge of Microsoft BI and/or Tableau; and a track record of writing data-backed knowledge products for external audiences.

Management & Behavioral Skills

• Problem-solving mindset with a strong sense of ownership and the ability to work in an agile, fast-paced environment.
• Excellent planning, prioritization, and task breakdown capabilities.
• High tolerance for ambiguity with a proactive, "get it done" approach.
• Proven track record of directly managing and mentoring small teams and collaborating across matrix/networked organizational settings.
• Strong communication, presentation, stakeholder-facing, and facilitation skills.

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Hiring Note: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. This job is reposted on June 29, 2026, on Ground Zero

For any questions, ping us on WhatsApp chat: +91-8058331557