Manager Field Operations

Position: Manager – Field Operations

Reports to: Associate Director – Community Compass Practice

Location: Multi-state / Field Intensive

Employment Type: 6-month project-based contract, with opportunity for conversion to a permanent position based on performance.

About Us

Celebrating over fifteen years of innovative and collaborative work, Athena Infonomics is an established best-in-class global solutions group offering integrated social science research, data, and technology services for social impact to provide user-centric, context-specific advisory and implementation support to decision makers. Our multidisciplinary and multi-cultural team of 75+ professionals across Asia, Africa, USA and UK bring extensive experience in designing and applying research methods to co-design and co-produce useful research that is inclusive and relevant.

Role Purpose

The Manager – Field Operations will be responsible for leading and delivering high-quality, timely, and cost-efficient field data collection and community engagement operations across multiple states and districts. The role ensures 15-20% cost optimization, 100% data quality compliance, and continuous expansion of the field network into unreached districts and states, while strengthening CommunityCompass’ community-first evidence generation model.

Key Responsibilities

• Recruit, onboard, and mentor field supervisors and investigators as per the requirements and join the mission of building “FEV - Feet in every village”.
• Build the capacity of the field force, especially focusing on “Ethical Certification”!
• Plan and manage multi-state field operations for surveys, evaluations, and community studies.
• Ensure timely delivery of field activities with strict adherence to quality and ethical standards.
• Implement monitoring, back-checks, and data quality assurance systems.
• Lead tool Translation, piloting, field training, handholding, and troubleshooting.
• Optimise logistics, travel, and deployment models to achieve a minimum 15% cost savings.
• Coordinate with research, program, and partner teams.
• Prepare regular field progress, quality, and risk reports.
• Support FGDs, IDIs, KIIs, and community consultations when required.
• Field Contract management and ensure timely payments against quality-approved tasks.
• Proactively identify field risks and resolve operational, logistical, or team-related challenges.
• Ensure safety, compliance, and ethical standards across all field operations.
  
  

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• ≥ 95% on-time field delivery rate
• ≥ 98% data quality acceptance rate
• ≥ 15% reduction in field operational costs
• Expansion into minimum 5–8 new districts/states annually
• Field team retention and satisfaction score ≥ 85%
  
  

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D/master’s degree in social work, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Public Policy, or related discipline.
• Ethics in Evidence Generation.
  
  

Experience Requirements

• Minimum 12+ years of experience in field operations, impact evaluations, baseline/endline surveys, and large-scale data collection.
• Experience in managing multi state field team and managing multiple projects.
• Proven leadership in managing multi-state projects covering thousands of households and community institutions.
• Prior experience working with donors such as the World Bank, UNICEF, IFC, 3ie, BMGF, and large NGOs.
• Strong background in NRLM, livelihoods, agriculture, gender, Climate, Agriculture, WASH, and social protection programs.
  
  

Technical Skillsets

• Training skills on the Tool, field operations and Data quality Assurance
• Large-scale survey operations management - Tool piloting and sharing feedback.
• CAPI Design and Administering skills – CommCare, Kobo, ODK, SurveyCTO etc.
• Field monitoring & quality assurance systems
• Mixed-method research support (quantitative & qualitative)
• Budgeting and cost control
• Data quality validation processes
• Community engagement facilitation
  
  

Behavioural & Leadership Competencies

• Strong field leadership and decision-making ability
• High ownership and accountability mindset
• Ability to work in high-pressure, multi-location environments.
• Excellent problem-solving and conflict resolution skills
• Ethical integrity and community sensitivity
• Results-driven with cost consciousness
• Collaborative leadership with cross-functional teams
  
  

Communication & Language Skills

• Fluent in English, Hindi and regional languages (Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam for South, Hind, Oriya, Bengali, Marati, Gujarati for North); strong ability to work with regional dialects and local communities.
• Strong reporting, documentation, and presentation skills.
  
  

Additional Requirements

• This position requires successful completion of a reference check and employment verification.
• The successful candidate must not be subject to employment restrictions from a former employer (such as a non-compete) that would prevent the candidate from performing the job responsibilities as described.
• Only candidates who have India work authorization will be considered.
  
  

Athena Infonomics is an Equal Opportunities Employer

Athena Infonomics is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

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