Head of Impact – Project DEFY

Project DEFY is a non profit based out of Bangalore, India that has been working in the sector of self design learning through learning spaces called ‘Nooks’. The organisation works globally facilitating the setting up of ‘Nooks’ in communities hit by marginalisation and keen on creating their own learning systems.

Work Culture at DEFY
As young non-profit organisations, Project DEFY offer you the opportunity to be part of an exciting journey to revolutionise the Indian education system. In this journey, hard work as well as an open mind and the willingness to take on new challenges is required. At the same time, we are a close-knit team that values time spent together and always strives to have its fair share of fun. We appreciate every team member equally and attempt to have as little hierarchies as possible within the organisation.

We believe in affirmative action and particularly encourage people from marginalized backgrounds to apply, including sexual/gender minorities, adult children of sex workers, people living with HIV, dalits, adivasis, women, religious and ethnic minorities.

Head of Impact is driving the organisation’s Measurement & Evaluation unit. She or he oversees the information, documentation & data management strategy, ensures that the strategy is implemented and further developed, analyses and interprets the collected data according to various qualitative and quantitative methods, infers findings and conclusions and publishes these across a variety of different formats (such as donor reports, internal reports, case studies, press articles, learner stories,…). While the main focus is on the organisation’s Nook self-designed learning centre programme, the Head of Impact’s role also includes developing and implementing M&E strategies for other programmes and activities carried out by Project DEFY.

Beyond the regular impact management tasks, the Head of Impact is also in charge of developing a comprehensive, long-term research strategy in collaboration with partner organisations, external institutional partners and other stakeholders. The goal of developing this long-term research strategy is to create a framework to evaluate the impact of self-designed learning through programmes such as the Nook on the individual, community and society level and provide comprehensive, reliable and objective data and findings in order to establish the self-designed learning approach as realistic (and better) alternative to the mainstream education system.

The Head of Impact’s integral role means he or she works closely together with the DEFY programme managers and programme heads and the CEO.

Salary: 10 Lakhs PA

Roles & Responsibilities Summary:

● Managing existing M&E Strategy: analysis of collected data & information ● Processing and articulation of data & information in meaningful ways across a variety of publication formats

● Continuous evaluation and development of M&E Strategy

● Development of new M&E strategies for new programmes implemented by Project DEFY and publication of relevant findings across a variety of publication formats

● Identifying weaknesses, strengths and opportunities from the data analysis and sharing findings internally and with partners

● Effectively communicating the Nook approach (and the approach of other programmes) to partners, potential partners and various stakeholders

● Contributing to programme design activities and programme evolution by utilising the findings in order to improve/adjust the various programmes carried out by DEFY

● Developing a long-term research strategy and method(s) for M&E framework for self-designed learning

● Forging research collaborations and partnerships with existing stakeholders as well as research institutions & departments, think-tanks, individual professionals etc.

● Implementing the long-term research strategy in collaboration with relevant stakeholders

● Developing publication formats to share research findings with different stakeholders

Required skills:

● Advanced, proven understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methods

● Excellent analytical skills

● Able to break down complex issues and topics into easily understandable forms and formats

● At least three years-long experience of managing and implementing research strategies across different contexts

● Excellent English language, communications and writing skills

● Experience in alternative education sector is an added advantage

● Experience in using automated data management systems and software is preferrable

● Knowledge of MS Excel

● Ability to forge and manage research-based partnerships

To apply, please fill the following form, selecting the option “Head of Impact” under role you are

applying to. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScBr_qnlP9zRWraaY54F0DEZbkaZOUZi6sSyTTv2gun4dffxA/viewform

Find more about our work culture at https://projectdefy.org/careers/.