Senior Project Lead - Learning Assessments

The Senior Project Lead will play a crucial role in advancing central and state-level initiatives, offering measurement and assessment-related technical support. This encompasses the development, implementation, and analysis of various assessments and evaluations aimed at understanding and improving student learning outcomes. Based in the Delhi office, this position offers the unique opportunity to work closely with the Head of Monitoring and Evaluation and contribute significantly to shaping the future of student assessments in the country.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

- Strategic Implementation: Collaborate closely with central and state teams to strategize and execute student learning assessments, ensuring they are aligned with learning goals and standards.

- Assessment Quality and Rigor: Oversee the quality and rigor of all aspects of assessments, from item creation to methodology. This includes conducting thorough quality checks, reviewing items meticulously, and finalizing assessment tools to meet the highest standards of excellence.

- Capacity Building: Lead the creation of comprehensive training materials and organize dissemination workshops. These workshops, aimed at educators and administrators at the State/UT/district levels, are crucial for the effective post-assessment application of insights gained.

- Knowledge Leadership: Develop and contribute to key knowledge products, including position papers, approach notes, and concept notes. These documents will serve as foundational resources in the field of student assessments and monitoring, guiding future initiatives and strategies.

Functional details:

Educational and Professional Background:

- A PhD./Master's degree or equivalent, with a focus on Education, Student Assessment & Measurement, or Data Analysis. This specialization is crucial for a deep understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of student assessments.

- A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in the field of large-scale assessment programs, preferably with States or with the central agencies such as NCERT.

- Ideal candidates will have a background working with governmental entities at the state or central level, showcasing a broad understanding of the educational landscape and technical assessment processes.

Technical Expertise and Methodological Skills:

- Expertise in designing, and implementing high-quality assessments and analyzing data from assessments to evaluate student learning outcomes, particularly in foundational skills.

- Proficiency in quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques to interpret assessment results and make data-driven recommendations for improving student learning outcomes.

- Understanding of assessment methods/ theories (including Classical Test Theory and Item - Response Theory) and working knowledge of the software used for analyzing assessment data, and reporting findings. Knowledge of statistical analysis software (e.g., SPSS, R, Stata) is essential.

- Ability to communicate technical insights to non-technical audiences

- Skills in working collaboratively with a range of stakeholders, including government entities, educators, and research teams. Effective communication skills are essential for liaising between different groups and ensuring the successful implementation of assessments.

Strong writing and conceptualization skills, as well as the ability to synthesize research and practice into actionable insights.

Reporting:

- The Senior Project Lead will report directly to the Head of Research, Monitoring, Evaluation, Assessment, and Learning (RMEAL) in Delhi.