Job Description: Monitoring, Evaluation & Impact Expert
Organisation: Agri Entrepreneur Growth Foundation (AEGF)
Location: Pune, with travel to programme states
ABOUT AEGF
Founded in 2019, AEGF strengthens smallholder farming by building a cadre of rural youth as Agri Entrepreneurs (AEs). AEs run viable last-mile businesses that give small and marginal farmers access to quality inputs, agronomic advice, credit, mechanisation and market linkages. Programmes run across states in India including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, etc.
ROLE PURPOSE
The MEL Expert will own how AEGF measures, learns from and proves the impact of the AE programme. The role is not routine reporting: impact here runs through two layers: the AE's own business viability (income, services offered, sustainability after handholding) and the outcomes for the farmers they serve (yield, cost of cultivation, net income, technology adoption, access to credit and markets). The expert must attribute change credibly across diverse geographies, crops, donor-funded projects and business archetypes, and turn that evidence into a defensible case that the AE model is among India's most effective agri-livelihood initiatives.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Programme understanding and theory of change: Build a deep understanding of the AE programme design, objectives and theory of change; refine the results chain from AE selection and training to AE enterprise outcomes and farmer-level impact.
- MEL framework and indicators: Design and strengthen an organisation-wide MEL framework with KPIs, outcome and impact metrics, baselines and targets, harmonised across donor projects while meeting each partner's reporting needs.
- Data systems and quality: Establish robust systems for digital data collection, validation and quality assurance (field verification, back-checks, audits); work with field teams and tech partners on the MIS.
- Analysis and insight: Analyse quantitative and qualitative data (surveys, MIS, FGDs, case studies) to assess effectiveness, identify trends and generate actionable insights.
- Evaluation and learning: Lead baseline, midline and endline studies, outcome evaluations and rapid assessments, including quasiexperimental designs where feasible; manage external evaluators; run learning reviews that feed back into programme design, efficiency and scale.
- Evidence case and benchmarking: Build an evidence-backed case for the AE model, benchmarking results and cost-effectiveness against national data and comparable initiatives (e.g. FPO, extension and rural entrepreneurship programmes).
- Reporting and communication: Own all programme reporting: monthly MIS and quarterly/annual donor reports against agreed indicators, live dashboards, impact briefs and presentations for leadership, donors, CSR partners and government; ensure accuracy, timeliness and compliance with each partner's reporting requirements.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
- Evaluation methods: Theory of change, logframes and results frameworks; sampling and power calculations; quasi-experimental designs, contribution analysis; cost-effectiveness and SROI analysis.
- Agri-livelihood metrics: Measuring farm yield, cost of cultivation, net farm income, input and technology adoption, and AE enterprise revenue, profitability and sustainability; familiarity with SDG, gender and climate-smart agriculture indicators.
- Data and tools: Advanced Excel plus Stata, R, SPSS or Python; Power BI or Tableau dashboards; digital data collection on in internal digital tool, KoboToolbox, ODK or SurveyCTO; MIS design, data cleaning and validation protocols;
- Reporting (essential): Proven track record of high-quality donor and CSR reporting (periodic progress reports, results frameworks against targets, impact reports, case studies and board/leadership briefs) delivered on time and in partner formats
- Communication: Evidence-based storytelling that stands up to expert scrutiny; strong stakeholder management with field teams and partners; Hindi is an advantage.
EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATION
Experience: 5–6 years in monitoring and evaluation, impact assessment, research, data analytics or programme strategy, preferably in the development or social impact sector; exposure to agriculture, rural livelihoods or entrepreneurship programmes is preferred.
Qualification: Postgraduate degree in Agriculture, MBA, Economics, Statistics, Public Policy, Development Studies, Social Sciences or a related field.
To apply: Send your CV and a short note on an evaluation you led to communications@aegf.in with the subject "MEL Expert".