MEL Associate – Data, Learning & Systems
Location: Kolkata
Experience: 2–3 years of relevant experience
Employment Type: Full-time
Compensation: INR 40,000–60,000 per month, depending on experience and expertise
Travel: Regular travel to programme locations across India
About Vikramshila
Vikramshila Education Resource Society is a national not-for-profit organisation working to improve the quality and equity of education in India. For over three decades, we have partnered with governments, development organisations and communities across multiple states to strengthen Early Childhood Care and Education, Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, teacher professional development and education systems. As Vikramshila grows its programmes and research portfolio, we are strengthening our Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) function to build a stronger organisational culture of evidence, reflection and continuous improvement.
About the Role
The MEL Associate will be part of Vikramshila's central MEL function and will work closely with programme teams across the organisation to develop, operationalise and continuously strengthen a unified organisational MEL architecture. The role combines MEL systems development, measurement and tool development, data management and analysis, field-based learning, research and knowledge generation. The Associate will work with colleagues across programmes to establish common systems, processes, standards and approaches wherever appropriate, while ensuring that these remain practical and responsive to the realities of different programmes, states and field contexts.
A central part of the role will be to take MEL systems beyond design and ensure their effective operationalisation on the ground. This will require close collaboration with programme teams, regular engagement with field realities, patience and flexibility in responding to feedback, and a willingness to continuously refine systems based on what is learnt through implementation.
The role will also contribute to the development of new measurement approaches where existing standardised tools are unable to adequately address programme needs or diverse Indian contexts. The Associate will have the opportunity to work on the development, piloting, validation and documentation of such tools and contribute to taking the resulting learning to the wider education and development sector.
Key Responsibilities
Organisational MEL Systems and Programme Partnership
The Associate will work as part of the central MEL team to develop and strengthen Vikramshila's organisation-wide MEL framework. This will include supporting common approaches to indicators, results frameworks, monitoring processes, data structures, quality standards and reporting systems, while identifying where programme-specific adaptation is necessary.
The Associate will work closely with programme teams to understand their objectives, implementation models and information needs and translate these into meaningful and usable MEL systems. They will support teams through the implementation and operationalisation of these systems, rather than limiting their role to tool development or reporting.
An important part of the role will be to establish strong feedback loops between the MEL function and programme teams. The Associate will listen carefully to field-level experience, identify operational challenges and remain open to modifying systems and processes where they are not working effectively. The aim will be to build an MEL architecture that combines organisational consistency with contextual flexibility.
Measurement, Tool Development and Validation
- The Associate will identify and assess credible, globally accepted measurement tools and approaches relevant to Vikramshila's programmes and support their contextualisation and operationalisation in Indian settings.
- Where existing tools are not adequate to meet programme needs, the Associate will contribute to the design and development of new tools and measurement approaches, working closely with programme teams and technical and research partners. This will include developing prototypes, piloting them in different programme contexts and iteratively refining them based on evidence and field experience.
- The Associate will contribute to rigorous processes for establishing the quality and credibility of these tools, including appropriate reliability and validity testing, item analysis, index construction, scoring and weighting, factor analysis, inter-rater reliability and other relevant measurement processes. The specific methodology will be determined by the nature and purpose of each tool.
- The objective will be to develop measurement approaches that are technically rigorous while also being practical, culturally and contextually appropriate, and usable across India's diverse state and programme contexts.
Data Systems, Analysis and Technology
- The Associate will design and manage digital data collection and management systems and support the development of efficient, integrated organisational data systems. This will include working with platforms such as Google Forms and Google Sheets, developing automated trackers and dashboards, and supporting the integration of programme-level data into organisation-wide MEL systems.
- They will undertake data cleaning, coding, analysis and interpretation and translate findings into clear insights for programme teams and organisational leadership. They will also identify opportunities to use technology and AI to make data collection, management, analysis, visualisation and reporting more efficient and useful.
Research, Field Learning and Evaluation
- The Associate will support baseline, midline, endline and process evaluations, including survey design, sampling, field protocols, data collection and analysis. They will undertake field visits to understand programme implementation, validate monitoring findings and engage directly with programme teams and other stakeholders.
- The role requires an ability to look beyond the numbers and understand the implementation realities behind them. Quantitative evidence will therefore be complemented with field observations, interviews, discussions and other qualitative forms of enquiry where appropriate.
Documentation, Knowledge Generation and Dissemination
- A key responsibility will be to systematically document the development and evolution of Vikramshila's MEL systems and measurement innovations. This will include documenting methodological choices, piloting processes, validation exercises, field learning, adaptations and lessons emerging from implementation. The Associate will contribute to converting this learning into technical notes, learning briefs, policy briefs, white papers, case studies and research publications. Where the work has wider relevance, they will also contribute to conference presentations, webinars, journal submissions and other forms of sector dissemination.
- The broader objective is to ensure that Vikramshila's MEL work contributes not only to stronger programmes within the organisation, but also to the wider evidence base and discourse on education and development in India.
Who We Are Looking For
- We are looking for a quantitatively strong and analytically oriented professional with 2–3 years of relevant experience who is ready to take ownership of MEL and research assignments while working collaboratively as part of a central organisational function.
- A Master's degree in Statistics, Economics, Development Studies, Mathematics, Data Science, Public Policy, Education Research/Measurement or a closely related quantitative or research-oriented discipline is preferred.
- The candidate should have a strong understanding of quantitative methods, research design, measurement and data analysis, along with demonstrated proficiency in relevant analytical software. Strong Excel and Google Sheets skills are essential, while working knowledge of R, Python, SPSS, STATA, SQL, Power BI, Looker Studio, Tableau or similar tools will be strongly valued. Experience with digital data collection platforms will be an advantage.
- Knowledge of reliability and validity testing, psychometric analysis, index construction, weighting, factor analysis or related measurement techniques would be particularly valuable.
- We are less concerned with advanced econometric modelling than with the ability to understand a programme question, identify the right measurement or analytical approach, work rigorously with data and translate evidence into meaningful programme and organisational learning.
The Kind of Person We Are Looking For
- The role requires someone who is rigorous but practical, analytical but curious about context, and technically confident while being willing to learn from programme colleagues and field teams.The person should be comfortable moving between data analysis, software, research literature, programme discussions and field visits. They should be able to work independently, take ownership of assignments and also collaborate closely with colleagues across programmes.
- Most importantly, we are looking for someone who understands that a good MEL system is not simply one that is technically sound; it is one that people can use effectively, that generates evidence worth acting upon, and that evolves as programmes learn.
What the Role Offers
This is an opportunity to be part of the development of a unified organisational MEL function and to work across Vikramshila's programmes and geographies. The role will provide exposure to programme design, measurement, field research, data systems, evaluation, tool development, validation, organisational learning and knowledge dissemination. The Associate will work with programme teams, senior technical colleagues, external research and technical partners and Vikramshila's Research Advisory Board. They will have the opportunity to contribute to the development of new measurement tools and approaches, test them across diverse Indian contexts, document the learning and take relevant findings into wider professional and academic forums.
If you are interested in the space between research rigour and real-world implementation, and want to build evidence and systems that are both credible and useful, we would love to hear from you.
To apply for the position of MEL Associate – Data, Learning & Systems, please follow the application process outlined below:
- Prepare your application: Update your CV and write a Cover Letter highlighting your relevant experience, qualifications, and motivation for applying. Be sure to demonstrate your understanding of the role and how your skills align with the responsibilities.
- Email your application: Send an email torecruitment.vikramshila@gmail.com . In the subject line of your email, please write “Application for the MEL Associate”
- Attach your CV and Cover Letter to the email as separate documents.
- Provide two references
- Application deadline: 20 September, 2026
Safeguarding and Code of Conduct:
Vikramshila is committed to a Safeguarding Policy, Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, and Code of Conduct. As an applicant, you are expected to adhere to these principles, and the organization has a zero-tolerance policy in this regard.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
Vikramshila is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. The organization is committed to identifying and developing the skills and leadership of individuals from diverse backgrounds. We appreciate your interest in joining our team. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further evaluation. If you do not receive a response within two weeks from the submission of the application, please consider your application unsuccessful on this occasion. Thank you for your understanding.
Note: All personal data collected during the application process will be treated confidentially and used solely for recruitment purposes.