Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Accomplishments
Career Overview
Timeline
Generic

Anita Bhargava

Gurgaon

Summary

Results-driven development sector specialist with over 14 years in leading monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) initiatives across public health, sustainable agriculture, and education. Expertise in project management and capacity building, complemented by a strong focus on designing MEL frameworks and conducting program assessments. Proven skills in developing strategic evaluation methodologies and monitoring tools to enhance program effectiveness.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience

Work History

Freelance

NCERT
New Delhi
01.2026 - Current

Project: A study of Balvatika set-ups managed by Different Governing Bodies

  • Applied advanced technical skills to resolve complex issues, enhancing project outcomes.
  • Conducted comprehensive research and data analysis to support strategic planning and informed decision-making.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align efforts and meet project objectives.

Assistant Manager, Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL)

CottonConnect
Gurgaon
08.2023 - 07.2025
  • M&E strategies that improved project outcomes for over 3,000 farmers across West and Southeast Asia.
  • Created layered ToC models for complex stakeholder ecosystems.
  • Executed projects in maternal health, gender equity, organic farming, agri-regenerative practices, compliance and climate resilience, achieving measurable KPI improvements.
  • Quantitative and Qualitative data collection tools, SMART indicators, and dashboard systems for real-time data monitoring.
  • Managed DQA and process monitoring to ensure data integrity.
  • Mentored field teams across multiple states and countries to enhance mobile data collection processes.
  • Impact evaluation reports facilitate the expansion of commercial setups.
  • Achieved adoption of over 20 regenerative practices by 80% of farmers.

Monitoring, Learning & Evaluation (MLE) Officer

John Snow Pvt. Ltd. (JSIPL)
New Delhi
10.2019 - 08.2023
  • Appraised health workers across India via digital intervention for rapid immunization skill enhancement.
  • Data collection from over 600 beneficiaries using Kobo Toolbox and qualitative methods to inform program insights.
  • Impact assessment report making statistical models to evaluate behavior change among beneficiaries.
  • Ensured completion of activities and modules through MEL strategies, including ToC, KPIs, and log framework.
  • Conducted routine DQA to guarantee data accuracy and address discrepancies.
  • Created project's dashboard to transition from manual data feeds to a digital format.
  • Performed field visits to enhance relationships with beneficiaries and local government officials.
  • Co-authored and reviewed international scientific publications for the dissemination of findings.

Research Consultant

John Snow Pvt. Ltd. (JSIPL)
New Delhi
06.2019 - 10.2019
  • Project: Improving routine vaccination timeliness by systematically announcing the arrival of outreach teams: A Grand Challenges Exploration Grant.
  • Designed quantitative and qualitative data collection tools.
  • Conducted data collection in remote study areas to gather insights.
  • Data accuracy & management and statistically driven analyses for project insights.
  • Facilitated workshops with stakeholders and community members to gather actionable insights for project improvement.
  • Managed project timelines and deliverables to ensure timely completion.
  • Disseminated impact assessment report, highlighting key findings and recommendations for stakeholders.
  • Presented research findings to clients in clear, concise formats, ensuring comprehension and fostering informed decision-making.

Resource Person

National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT)
New Delhi
10.2017 - 01.2019
  • A study of Implementation of Quality Improvement Initiatives in terms of its Achievement of its objectives in Madhya Pradesh.
  • Designed research tools (quantitative and qualitative), DQA, and validation.
  • Data accuracy, data transformation & management and statistically enriched analyses for project insights.
  • Collaborated with team members to achieve project objectives and ensure timely completion.
  • Worked with cross-functional teams to achieve goals.
  • Applied advanced technical skills to troubleshoot complex problems and implement effective solutions.
  • Conducted research and data analysis to inform strategic planning and enhance decision-making.

Senior Research Associate

National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT)
New Delhi
10.2016 - 05.2017
  • Led quality management programme initiative to enhance research integrity and reliability.
  • Project’s research design.
  • Conducted data cleaning, validation and analyses with statistical methodologies.
  • Collected data from the field and supervision in the field.
  • Designed data collection tools.
  • Documented findings in impact assessment report to inform decision-making and support project goals.

Research Associate

Indian Institute for Dalit Studies (IIDS)
New Delhi
03.2013 - 05.2013
  • Project: Form and Nature of Discrimination experienced by Dalit women in Urban Labour Market.
  • Developed quantitative and qualitative data collection tools to enhance research accuracy and relevance.
  • Conducted qualitative research on social issues affecting marginalized communities.
  • Analyzed data to identify trends in socio-economic conditions and policies.
  • Collaborated with community leaders to gather insights and validate research outcomes, ensuring community perspectives were integrated.
  • Prepared comprehensive reports detailing findings and recommendations for stakeholders.

Research Investigator

Indian Institute for Dalit Studies (IIDS)
New Delhi
01.2012 - 08.2012
  • Project- Discrimination of Dalits and Muslims in Urban Housing Market: A Study Based on NCR, Delhi.
  • Developed quantitative and qualitative data collection tools to capture diverse perspectives on housing discrimination.
  • Monitored data collection processes in field settings to ensure accuracy.
  • Qualitative data analysis using software (ATLAS.ti) to explore social issues affecting marginalized communities.
  • Conducted FGDs and In-depth interviews to obtain perspectives on discrimination.
  • Analyzed literature to inform ongoing investigations into social equity, ensuring research is grounded in existing knowledge.

Assistant Research Officer

International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)
Mumbai
06.2007 - 05.2008
  • Project – Research and Intervention on Sexual health: From Theory to Action (RISHTA).
  • Qualitative data collection and analysis using software (ATLAS.ti).
  • Utilized statistical models with SPSS and STATA for quantitative data analysis.
  • Handled large-scale data sets- NFHS and DLHS.
  • Delivered research briefs to communicate findings and insights, enhancing stakeholder understanding.
  • Comprehensive reports that clearly outlined findings, translating complex concepts for both technical and non-technical audiences and stakeholders.
  • Managed project timelines and resources to ensure efficient research execution.
  • Engaged with external partners to cultivate collaborative research initiatives, securing funding opportunities and expanding project scope.

Education

PhD - Population Studies

Jawaharlal Nehru University
New Delhi, India
08-2017

MPhil - Population Studies

Jawaharlal Nehru University
New Delhi, India
07-2012

Diploma - Population Sciences

International Institute For Population Sciences
Mumbai, Maharashtra
06-2008

M.Sc. - Geography

MSU
Baroda, Gujarat
06-2006

BA - Geography

MSU
Baroda, Gujarat
06-2004

Skills

  • Monitoring and evaluation
  • Research methodologies
  • Research/Project data tools
  • Power BI and Excel
  • Analytical skills
  • Documentation management
  • Technical documentation
  • Adaptability and agile thinking
  • Conflict resolution strategies
  • Evaluation frameworks
  • Program evaluation
  • Community engagement
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Trend forecasting
  • Project management and software

Accomplishments

  • Completed Generative AI mastermind training and earned certificate.
  • Recent publications: Chase R, Sanyal S, Singh P, et al. Journey from a digital innovation to a sustainable health worker capacity-building app in India: experiences, challenges, and lessons learned. Glob Health Sci Pract. 2024;12(3):e2400006. https://doi.org/10.9745/GHSP-D-24-00006
  • Garg R, Bhargava A, Singh SK. Capacity building in public health emergency management: A crucial pillar for global health security. https://journals.lww.com/nmoj/toc/2024/18010
  • Published research work- 10
  • Peer reviewer at Elsevier (Journal of Midwifery)
  • Peer reviewer at GIRA (Journal of Global Implementation, Research and Applications)
  • Awarded (twice) with UGC-NET/JRF (Population Studies and Geography)

Career Overview

A development sector professional with 14+ years’ experience in leading research and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) in public health, sustainable agriculture and education sectors, social science, and CSR. Also seasoned in capacity building, managing multi-state research, data coding & analytics, team leadership, project management and digital interface., Designing MEL plan, KPIs, SMART indicators, log Framework, systematic review, research studies’ design, research data collection tools, large-scale data and surveys, project implementation & field management, real-time monitoring, impact evaluations, scientific publications & blogs, strategic data-driven solutions

Timeline

Freelance

NCERT
01.2026 - Current

Assistant Manager, Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL)

CottonConnect
08.2023 - 07.2025

Monitoring, Learning & Evaluation (MLE) Officer

John Snow Pvt. Ltd. (JSIPL)
10.2019 - 08.2023

Research Consultant

John Snow Pvt. Ltd. (JSIPL)
06.2019 - 10.2019

Resource Person

National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT)
10.2017 - 01.2019

Senior Research Associate

National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT)
10.2016 - 05.2017

Research Associate

Indian Institute for Dalit Studies (IIDS)
03.2013 - 05.2013

Research Investigator

Indian Institute for Dalit Studies (IIDS)
01.2012 - 08.2012

Assistant Research Officer

International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)
06.2007 - 05.2008

PhD - Population Studies

Jawaharlal Nehru University

MPhil - Population Studies

Jawaharlal Nehru University

Diploma - Population Sciences

International Institute For Population Sciences

M.Sc. - Geography

MSU

BA - Geography

MSU
Anita Bhargava