MEL Senior Data Analysis Officer

Starting Date: ASAP

Contract type: Full-time, permanent

Salary: Commensurate with relevant experience and skills

Location: New Delhi, India

Application closing date: 20.01.2025

About the Job 

Do you enjoy turning data into insights? Are you purpose-led and ready to embark on a journey to shape the future of sustainable cotton? Join us at Better Cotton as MEL Senior Data Analysis Officer and be part of  a global team responsible for delivering high impact data insights for the world’s largest cotton sustainability initiative – we support more sustainable farming practices and farm livelihoods for nearly 3 million farmers in the Better Cotton network in 23 countries around the world. 

Better Cotton is now seeking a dynamic data analytics professional to join its Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) team. Successful candidates will be skilled at analysing large volumes of data and adept at transforming analyses into clear visualisations with concise explanations. The Data Analyst will assist in cleaning, validating, and analysing data from more than 200,000 farmers in Asia, Africa, South America, North America, and Australia. Under the supervision of the MEL Data Analysis Manager, the Data Analyst will be a member of the Standards and Assurance Team. S/he will play a key role in creating data feedback loops that will contribute to continuous improvement and influence programmatic change at the field-level. In addition to the quantitative data analysis activities, the Senior Data Analysis Officer will also have the opportunity to support on improving Better Cotton’s farm-level data quality. 

This challenging role offers excellent opportunities for personal and professional development, together with a competitive benefits package. 

The Challenge

Looking ahead to 2030, we are targeting reducing GHG emissions from cotton production by half, big cuts in synthetic pesticide use, improve soil health across our network, improve farm income and support women’s empowerment among farmers and farm workers. Data plays a key role in understanding our progress towards those targets. 

As the MEL Senior Data Officer, you will be responsible for turning data into insights and providing Better Cotton staff and stakeholders with dynamic visualisation tools and reports. 

Areas that play to your strengths

We are seeking a motivated MEL Senior Data Analysis Officer to join our MEL Team. In this role, you will be responsible for:

• Clean, correct and format data in Excel and upload into Better Cotton’s centralised database. 
• Run outlier exception reports and follow-up with country teams and programme partners on any data anomalies. 
• Conduct data analysis and visualisation using PowerBI software in Better Cotton’s Results Indicator Learning dashboards. 
• Coach and support Better Cotton’s country staff and partners on using interactive results dashboards. 
• Support Better Cotton’s country staff and partners with finding more efficient technical solutions to manual data processing activities (e.g. using VBA macros, PowerQuery, SQL, Python, etc.). 
• Assist in responding to requests for data analysis from members, partners, and donors in line with Better Cotton’s Data Communication Policy. 
• Maintain complete and consistent data files. 
• Support with coordinating improvements to farm-level data quality. 
• Support data digitalisation pilots by testing app and related dashboards, evaluating data quality collected via apps, and suggesting improvements, as necessary. 
• Provide support to Better Cotton country staff via trainings on Results Indicator data collection, reporting, and data cleaning 
• Support with producing Better Cotton’s regular data reporting for staff and members – Data Snapshots, Results Indicator End of Season Reports 
• Provide inputs for other departments (IT, Comms, Programmes, Fundraising, etc.), for specific meetings, and for external parties (partners, members, researchers, etc.) as needed. 
• Regularly engage in MEL knowledge sharing calls with country teams and Better Cotton staff. 
• Perform other tasks as agreed with the supervisor that contribute to the mission and aims of Better Cotton. 

We are looking for someone who has

the following skills, knowledge, and experience:

Essential

• Minimum 4 years working experience in similar roles 
• Degree in environmental or social science, agriculture, agronomy, rural development, Statistics/Mathematics/Economics/Data Quality 
• Proven interest in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning 
• Experience applying statistics to real-world data analysis and research  
• Experience assessing and improving data quality 
• Strong IT skills, in particular with Excel (PowerQuery, VBA macros), databases, and business intelligence and analytics tools 
• Pays attention to details, solves problems independently, and is persistent in accurately performing tasks 
• Ability to prioritise and plan effectively, working in a structured manner and to deadlines 
• Fluency in English, written and spoken 

Desirable

• Demonstrated grasp of the key issues in sustainability and/or knowledge of sustainable agriculture especially in the smallholder farming context 
• Track record in a monitoring, evaluation, and learning role 
• Background in global programme implementation, and agriculture projects 
• Proven interest and/or experience in voluntary sustainability standards 
• Experience using PowerBI software 
• Experience in creating data visualisation for communications purposes 
• Good working knowledge of statistical analysis software (SQL, Python, R) 
• Experience facilitating learning in an international, multi-cultural setting 
• Knowledge of French, Portuguese, Urdu, Mandarin, Turkish, or Hindi 

What we offer

• Competitive salary
• Hybrid working – Up to 1 week in every quarter or 3 months in the office (depending on the role and location) 
• The opportunity to work from anywhere in the world for up to one month per year
• Flexible working, with core hours from 10 am to 4 pm local time
• Continuous learning and development
• Pension scheme
• 25 days paid annual leave, plus 8-9 Bank Holidays and a further 3 days off over Christmas
• Enhanced parental benefits
• A warm, positive working environment where everyone is valued
• The opportunity to make your mark and make a difference.

Working arrangements

The position is full-time (40 hours per week) and will be based in the Delhi, India. Better Cotton offers flexible working, with core hours being 10am – 4pm., staff are required to come to the Better Cotton Delhi office as per flexible working policy (currently minimum one week in every 6 weeks) but depending on the work requirement and in agreement with the line manager more work form office days may be required. 

The position may occasionally require limited travel. 

Apply now

Send us your CV (2 pages maximum) and a brief cover letter (1-page maximum) by or before 20.01.2025 via link mentioned in Rippling application. 

In your cover letter, please include an explanation of why your experience is specifically relevant to this role at Better Cotton. We want to see your personal style – what makes you tick and why you think your next opportunity is here with us.

Our hiring process

Initial Screening:

Applicant screening is a crucial step in our recruitment process. This stage may involve a brief phone interview or video call to evaluate your suitability for the position. During this screening, we review resumes and cover letters, and may conduct initial background checks to narrow down the pool of applicant. Internal candidates are encouraged to inform their line manager about their application to promote transparency and help facilitate a smooth transition if selected.

Interviews:

If you successfully pass the initial screening, you will be invited for interviews. The interview process at Better Cotton may include one or more rounds of interviews with various stakeholders, such as the hiring manager, team members, and potentially senior management. As an internal candidate, you may have discussions regarding your current responsibilities and how they will transition to the new position.

Assessment and Testing: 

Depending on the role, you might be required to complete assessments, technical tests, or skills evaluations to gauge your competency and suitability for the position. Internal candidates may have the option to demonstrate their existing skills through current job performance or past project outcomes.

Reference Checks: 

Once you progress further in the process, reference checks are conducted to validate your work history, skills, and qualifications, and for some roles, your education and criminal history. Internal candidates may be asked for references from current or previous supervisors within Better Cotton to provide insights into their performance and capabilities.

Offer stage:

After completing interviews, assessments, and reference checks, the hiring team evaluates your performance and fit for the role. If you are selected and your references are relevant and satisfactory, you will receive a formal job offer letter outlining the terms of employment, compensation, benefits, and any other relevant details. For internal candidates, the offer process may include a discussion about how your transition to the new role will be managed and any support needed for a smooth handover.

About Better Cotton

Better Cotton is a global not-for-profit organisation supporting the production of more equitable and sustainable cotton at farm level. We exist to catalyse the cotton farming community with partners, governments and others to continuously drive positive impact by setting standards and facilitating the supply and demand of more sustainable cotton from farm to brand. In just 15 years we have aligned more than a fifth of the world’s cotton with our standard and helped farmers and farming communities thrive. Join us in building a better, more sustainable future for cotton worldwide.

About our Values

The post holder will be expected to operate in line with our workplace values which are:  

• Trustworthy (including honest, transparent, credible) 
• As having Integrity (including responsible, authentic) 
• Positive (including problem-solving, pragmatic) 
• Engaging (including adaptable, inclusive, holistic) 
• Daring (including courageous, innovative, game-changing)  

Being you @ Better Cotton

Better Cotton is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to good practice and transparency in the management of natural, human, and financial resources.

We have a zero-tolerance approach to any attitudes or behaviours that put children or adults at risk of harm. Safeguarding incidents are acts of serious misconduct and are grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including, dismissal and referral to relevant authorities for criminal prosecution. Therefore, all offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks.