Senior Project Lead, Student Learning Assessments (Job Vacancy)

Central Square Foundation:

Founded in 2012, Central Square Foundation is a non-profit philanthropic foundation working with the vision of ensuring quality school education for all children in India. We are driven by our mission to transform the school education system with a focus on improving the learning outcomes of children, especially from low-income communities.

We believe that effective foundational learning is essential for better learning outcomes of all children in school. Development of foundational literacy and numeracy skills between pre-primary and Class 3 can help children progress to higher levels of learning which is an essential building block for creating equal access to opportunities needed for leading a better life. In this regard, a majority of CSF’s efforts are directed towards improving the foundational learning levels in the country.

To achieve this, we partner with individuals and social impact organizations to bring innovative solutions in education, as well as work with the government to drive systemic impact. We also collaborate with the ecosystem to leverage knowledge and create proven tools around critical issues such as early learning, technology in education, classroom instruction methods and governance.

CSF’s team members bring a deep sense of commitment and passion towards our collective vision that every child deserves a quality education. We strive for excellence in everything we do and collaborate to create an impact as we move closer to achieving our mission. We encourage an entrepreneurial outlook that evokes new and bold ideas along with taking smart risks. CSF provides a dynamic, learning, and positive environment that is driven by our strong sense of values.

Position Summary -

CSF is seeking a dedicated Senior Project Lead to join our dynamic Research, Monitoring, Evaluation, Assessment, and Learning (RMEAL) team. This pivotal role is at the heart of CSF's mission to improve student learning outcomes across our portfolio states. As part of the RMEAL team, the Senior Project Lead will offer both technical and strategic expertise in the evaluation and assessment of student learning, focusing on foundational skills in Literacy and Numeracy. The role involves a collaborative approach to supporting states with tools and methodologies for designing and implementing student assessments within Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) programs. These programs range from large-scale, system-level assessments to more localized, school-based evaluations.

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 CSF’s Delhi office, this position offers the unique opportunity to work closely with the Head of RMEAL 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.

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.

Given the role's focus on foundational literacy and numeracy within large-scale assessment programs, candidates should ideally have a strong grounding in educational theory, alongside practical experience in assessment design and implementation. The ability to lead and innovate in the field of educational assessments, while working closely with a range of stakeholders, is crucial for success in this role.

Location:

This role is based in CSF’s office in Delhi, with potential travel to support and oversee projects within our portfolio states.

Reporting:

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

Compensation:

Remuneration will be competitive with Indian philanthropy pay scales and will depend upon the candidate’s experience level.