ASHISH KUMAR MISHRA
MLE EXPERT
Lucknow,UP
Summary
A trusted Monitoring Learning and Evaluation (MLE) professional with a proven track record in leading large-scale health initiatives in India, specializing in HIV/AIDS, RMNCH+A, Communicable & Non-Communicable Diseases, Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Mental Health. Skilled in data analysis, disease surveillance, program evaluation, and quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, with a demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with governments, NGOs, and donors to drive measurable outcomes and policy development and action plans.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
2
2
Language
Work History
Research Officer
International Institute for Population Sciences
Mumbai
07.2004
- For the UN-sponsored "Coordinated HIV and AIDS Response through Capacity Building and Awareness" project, studying women's vulnerability to STIs/RTIs across five Indian states
- Developed survey questionnaires, trained field investigators, and moderated Focus Group Discussions with youth and parents in Kanpur district, Uttar Pradesh.
Deputy Director MLE
Evidence Action, Give Well Funded
New Delhi
09.2023 - 11.2024
- Spearheading Monitoring, Learning, and Evaluation (MLE) initiatives for the Iron Folic Acid Supplementation Program across five Indian states, ensuring robust program assessment and continuous improvement
- Mentoring the team in developing and implementing robust measurement frameworks to assess Soil-Transmitted Helminth (STH) prevalence across program states in India
- Facilitating coordination among Global, National, and State-level teams to harmonize strategies and maximize program effectiveness
- Leading and mentoring a team of four, enhancing capacity building, promoting data-driven decision-making, and ensuring efficient resource utilization to achieve project goals
- Writing reports and documenting key findings in forms of research briefs.
MLE Specialist
Access Health International, BMGF Funded
Lucknow
05.2022 - 07.2023
- Led the implementation of the Cancer Care Strengthening Project in Uttar Pradesh, supported by Roche India Health Care Institute
- Partnered with government bodies (KGMU, Department of Medical Education, and Health Department) to execute key project activities
- Coordinated trainings of 250 medical professors and doctors on Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs) for early detection and referrals of five priority cancers
- Facilitated Special Interest Group meetings with policymakers, experts, and implementers, drafting policy documents on cancer detection, treatment, diagnostics, and health financing, supported by detailed data analysis
- Co-led a qualitative study with KGMU on "Patient Cancer Care Pathways," managing design, training, data analysis, and reporting, receiving recognition from state leadership
- Directed a study on empaneled private hospitals under PMJAY and their motivations and challenges, overseeing design, data collection, tool development, and report preparation, and presentation of findings to state leadership
- Established MLE functions under PM-JAY to support priority healthcare interventions and guide state-level decision-making with evidence-based insights.
Senior Specialist
India Health Action Trust, BMGF
Lucknow
12.2018 - 04.2022
- Designed and implemented statewide Family Planning and maternal and child health surveys in Uttar Pradesh
- Executed Rolling Facility Surveys to assess maternal and newborn complication management
- Conducted rapid assessments across 34 districts to evaluate routine immunization practices
- Led a study on 267 essential drugs, providing data-driven recommendations to the State Government
- Evaluated the Hausla Sajedari Program, delivered insights to the NHM
- Directed data analysis to drive programmatic improvements
- Partnered with stakeholders, including the Principal Health Secretary of Uttar Pradesh
- Led a high-performing team to achieve key project milestones
- Represented the FP-MLE consortium as the UP TSU lead
- Authored grant proposals and donor reports for surveys and studies
- Developed the Phase III results framework for the UP TSU
- Surveys/ Studies Designed for the Government of Uttar Pradesh
- Led multiple rounds of large-scale COVID-19 seropositivity, seroconversion, and cohort studies in Uttar Pradesh
- Directed a Genomic Sequencing Study of SARS-CoV-2 cases in the state
- Designed a study to monitor critical Public Health Indicators with district- and block-level estimates in UP
- Developed a study estimating Neonatal and Infant Mortality Rates across districts
- Evaluated the functionality and quality of Health and Wellness Centers through a programmatic assessment
- Authored the study protocol for assessing the RMNCH+A Program in selected aspirational blocks
- Assessed outsourced Public-Private Partnership projects, including Medical Mobile Health Vans, providing actionable recommendations to the state health department.
Strategic Planning Expert
Ecorys, World Bank Funded
Lucknow
04.2017 - 12.2018
- Supported the Health Department in formulating health policies and action plans
- Contributed to the development of the State Health Policy 2017 for Uttar Pradesh with data-driven projections
- Developed the first Trauma Care Guidelines and State Action Plan in coordination with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
- Contributed to State Referral Policy to facilitate patient referral based on need
- Developed protocols for vector borne diseases to ensure effective preventive measures and quality healthcare delivery across all levels of the Public Health System
- Coordinated with departments and medical colleges to develop Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs) and protocols
- Led a study assessing District Health System capacity for Non-Communicable Disease management
- Conducted research on Perceived Stress and Coping Strategies in a community-representative population
- Monitored and evaluated UPHSSP-funded programs to ensure goal alignment
- Analyzed data from key departments and provided recommendations to enhance program outcomes
- Assessed GVK/EMRI ambulance services, delivering critical insights for state leadership
- Assisted state leadership in writing additional funds financing proposals and progress report preparation
- Strengthened disease surveillance, outbreak reporting, environmental health, education, gender equity, and public-private partnerships
- Collaborated with allied Government departments like Education, Medical Education, Environment, ICDS, PRI, Transport, Water, and PWD to advance health initiatives
- Contributed to surveillance of outbreaks in the state for example, JE-AES, Dengue, Diarrhea, Kala-Azar, and H1N1
- Written quarterly and annual progress reports for World Bank submissions.
Technical Specialist MLE
International Center, Funded
, Delhi
07.2014 - 03.2017
- Managed baseline, end line, and process monitoring for the MLE-TSU project funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in Uttar Pradesh
- Designed studies, conducted data analysis, and disseminated research findings to key stakeholders
- Led Bangladesh's research, monitoring, and evaluation for a multi-country project addressing women's unmet need for contraception, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
- Contributed to evaluation design and data collection tools for the PLANIT project on adolescent girls in Jharkhand and Delhi, funded by the Gates Foundation
- Handled data analysis and reporting for multi-country projects on women in the garment industry across Pakistan, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Jordan, funded by GAP INC
- Collaborated with development partners to align efforts and drive project success.
ME and Strategic Planning Specialist
India Health Action Trust, BMGF Funded
Lucknow
01.2014 - 06.2014
- Led rollout of short surveys across 100 community development blocks in 25 high-priority districts of Uttar Pradesh, covering over 200,000 households
- Developed sampling design and data collection tools, recruited and trained investigators, and established monitoring mechanisms for survey supervision.
Technical Specialist
Futures Group International India Pvt. Ltd
, Delhi
03.2012 - 12.2013
- Provided managerial and capacity-building support to the USAID-funded Policy Unit at NIHFW, facilitating evidence-based policy research
- Led the design of research proposals, tools, and advocacy briefs for the MoHFW and state governments
- Contributed to population projections and planning for Empowered Action Group (EAG) states, supporting MoHFW's strategic decision-making.
Manager
Futures Group International India Pvt. Ltd
08.2010 - 02.2012
- Funded | Dehradun
- Innovations in Family Planning Services, Family Planning Services (IFPS, Technical Assistance Project (USAID, provided technical inputs to the Uttarakhand Health Department on operations research to achieve IFPS benchmarks
- Oversaw IFPS program monitoring, including RFP preparation, coordination with survey agencies, investigator training, data collection tracking, and reporting to policymakers
- Developed robust HMIS systems for the voucher scheme in private health institutions and mobile health vans.
Senior Project Officer
Pathfinder International
MacArthur, Delhi
12.2008 - 08.2010
- Monitored and evaluated the Raksha Project, aimed at reducing maternal mortality by managing Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH)
- Managed project performance systems, ensuring high-quality standards in monitoring, report reviews, and contributions to quarterly and annual donor reports
- Designed baseline surveys, ensured survey quality, trained collaborating staff, tracked performance trends, and provided feedback to partner organizations
- Promoted reproductive Behavior Change to delay marriage, first birth, and encourage birth spacing across 10 blocks in Gaya district, Bihar.
Assistant Research Officer
International Institute for Population Sciences
Mumbai
01.2004 - 06.2004
- For the GSACS-funded study on Mapping High-Risk Behavior Groups in Goa
- Developed research design and tools, trained field investigators, and authored the final report.
Research Fellow
Banaras Hindu University
Varanasi
01.2001 - 07.2001
- For the UGC-funded project "A Study of Socio-Economic Factors, Behavioral Problems, and Health Hazards of the Elderly Population in Northern Rural India"
Skills
Technical Skills: STATA, SPSS, Power BI, ATLAS-TI, SPECTRUM, & digital survey platforms (SurveyMonkey, Google Forms, Survey CTO, CS PRO)
Expertise: MEL framework design, program/ process evaluation, policy development, policy analysis, strategic planning, and data-driven decision-making
Domain Areas: Gender, HIV/ AIDS, RMNCHA, Communicable and Non-communicable diseases, Mental health, Infection prevention, Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Trauma Care
Donor Collaboration: USAID, DFID, BMGF, PACKARD Foundation, World Bank, MacArthur Foundation, Roche Pharma CSR
Government Engagement: Worked with MoHFW and state governments, including Rajasthan, Bihar, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh, on large-scale program implementation
Multisecotral Collaboration: Partnered with allied departments of Health such as Education, Medical Education, Environment, ICDS, Transport, and medical sectors (both public and private)
Other Skills: Organizational development, Writing Grant Proposals, Designing of studies/ surveys and data collection tools, Team mentoring, Budgeting, Resource allocation, and reporting to stakeholders
Accomplishments
OTHER WORK EXPEREINCE
· 2008- Consultancy for WIZMIN Consultants Kanpur, Mapping of High-Risk Behavior Groups in 38 districts of BIHAR, funded by UNICEF & NACO.
· 2007-Consultancy for WIZMIN Consultants, ‘Risk Mapping of Youths in Two Districts of Bihar: District Situational Analysis’, funded by UNICEF Bihar and Bihar State AIDS control society.
· 2007-Consultancy for WIZMIN Consultants, ‘A Study of Risk Mapping of Youths in the Six Selected Districts of Uttar Pradesh’, funded by UNICEF Lucknow.
· 2006-Mentored a B.Tech. student from the California Institute of Technology worked on 'An Investigation into Improved Chulha Implementation and Policy in Uttar Pradesh, India'.[ http://www.iitk.ac.in/surge/abstract/2006SURGEAbstract_GeoffMGalgon.pdf]
· 2006-Working experience as a consultant for the project titled ‘A Study of Risk Mapping of youths in the Lalitpur District of Uttar Pradesh’ funded by UNICEF Lucknow.
TRAINING PROGRAM ATTENDED
· 2011, Five Days Certificate Course in Public-Private Partnership, Organized by National Institute of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi.
· 2010, Three Days Communication (BCC) Planning Workshop ‘Soach Se Amal Taq',November 24-26 Nainital, Organized by UKHFWS and Sponsored by USAID.
· 2006, Voice of UP: Round Table 2 and 3, Discussion on ‘Funding Response to Health Challenges/HIV in India', May 22, held at Lucknow, Organized by UNICEF Lucknow, Kaiser Family Foundation, and INTERNEWS.
· 2006, Short-term Training Program on 'Management and Control of RTI/STI in India'held at International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai. DFID London sponsored the program RISHTA IIPS and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine London, February 27th -10th March.
SELECTED RESEARCH PAPERS PRESENTED AT CONFERENCES
· 2022, Understanding Open Birth Interval and Contraceptive Use Journey in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, India
· 2022, Explaining Geographical Heterogeneity of Modern Contraceptive Use in Uttar Pradesh: Does Individual, Community, and Provider Level Factors Matter?
· 2011, International Conference on Family Planning 'Scaling Up of Vouchers: Improving Access, Equity, and Quality' on November 29 - December 2, 2011, in Dakar, Senegal., Jointly with Utpal Das, Ashutosh Kandwal, Rajiv Ranjan, and Tanya Liberhan.
· 2011, International Conference on Family Planning 'Is There Any Effect of Health Workers' Visits on Women's Contraceptive Use in Uttar Pradesh, India?' on November 29 - December 2, 2011, in Dakar, Senegal., Jointly with AA Jayachandran, Ajay Misra, Rajib Ranjan, and Saurabh Singh.
· 2009, Sixth IASSH conference on Health, Equity, and Human Rights, 'Society, Self-Image and Risk: A Study of MSM Community in Mumbai.', March 7-8, Pondicherry, India., Jointly with Prof.A.K. Sharma.
· 2008, 30th Annual Conference of IASP ‘Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and Treatment Seeking Behavior among MSM: A Study of MSM Community in Mumbai,' ISEC, Bangalore, 17-18 October., Jointly with Prof.A.K. Sharma.
· 2008, International Conference, Fundamental and Transnational Research on HIV/AIDS, 'Conceptualizing HIV/AIDS Stigma among Adolescents and Youths in A Few North Indian Settings: A Social Representations Approach,' Mumbai, 5-8 October., Jointly with Sonal Mobar, Prof. A.K Sharma and Rita Singh.
· 2007, 8th International Congress of Asia and Pacific Region, 'Identity and Risk: A Study of Men Having Sex with Men in the wake of HIV Epidemic in India,' organized and sponsored by the Government of Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka, held at Colombo, 19th-23rd August.
· 2007, International Conference 'Redefining Vulnerabilities: A Study of Men Having Sex with Men in the Wake of HIV Epidemic in Mumbai, India,' held at Hotel Marriot, Newyork, organized by Population Association of America, New York, USA, 29th -31st March., Joint Paper with Prof. A.K. Sharma.
· 2006, International Conference 'Deconstructing Sexuality in the Wake of HIV/AIDS and Developing an Institutional Mechanism to Redress the Problems of Men Having Sex with Men in India' held at Mumbai, organized by International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, December -10th-14th., Joint paper with Prof. A.K Sharma & Dr. SK Singh (IIPS).
· 2006, International Conference 'Social Representations of HIV/AIDS in India,' held at Mumbai, organized by International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, December 10th-14th., Joint paper with Prof. A.K Sharma & Rita Singh.
· 2005, XXV IUSSP International Conference 'Two Men Together: Love, Sex and Risk in the Wake of HIV/AIDS Epidemic in India' held at VINCI Convocation Centre, Tours, France, July 18th-23rd., Joint paper with Prof. A.K Sharma & Dr. S.K Singh.
· 2005, 1st National Conference of AIDS Society of India 'Sexual Behavior among MSM: Problems and Prospects of Risk Reduction for STD/HIV' held at New Delhi, April 2-4., Joint paper with Dr. SK Singh & Prof. A.K Sharma.
· 2005, National Seminar on Tribal Demography of Chhattisgarh. 'Tribal Health: Issues and Challenges' held at Raipur, February 25th-27th., Joint paper with Prof. A.K Sharma.
· 2004, International Conference on Young people's Sexual and Reproductive Health Needs in Asia: Progress, Achievements, and Ways Forward. 'Routes to General Population: Redefining Vulnerability in the Spread of HIV /AIDS' held at New Delhi, December 2-4., Joint paper with Prof. A.K Sharma.
· 2004, Population and Development of Madhya Pradesh. 'Adolescent Fertility and Reproductive Health: A Comparative Study of Madhya Pradesh and its Neighboring States' held at Narohana Prasasnik Academy, Madhya Pradesh.
· 2003, 4th IASP Regional Conference. 'Adolescent Fertility and Reproductive Health: A Comparative Study of North and South Indian States' held at Lucknow.
PUBLICATIONS
· 2009, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and Treatment Seeking Behavior among MSM: A Study of MSM Community in Mumbai, in James, K.S., Arvind Pandey, Dhananjay W. Bansod and Lekha Subaiya (eds.), Population, Gender and Health in India: Methods, Processes and Policies, Academic Foundation, New Delhi.
· 2009, Society, Self-Image and Risk: A Study of MSM Community in Mumbai, published in the edited volume of IASSH.
· 2014, Effectiveness of Fund Allocation and Spending for the National Rural Health Mission in Uttarakhand, India: Block and Facility Report., http://www.healthpolicyproject.com/index.cfm?id=publications&get=tagID&tagID=15
· 2014, Effectiveness of Fund Allocation and Spending for the National Rural Health Mission in Uttarakhand, India: State and District Report., http://www.healthpolicyproject.com/index.cfm?id=publications&get=tagID&tagID=15
· 2014, Story of India's Population: Technical Report on Levels, Trends and Determinants of Fertility in India Population Projections and Expected Levels of Achievement for Spacing and Limiting FP Methods to Strategize and Priorities the Program in India, Submitted to the Family Planning Division of MOHFW. Prepared under the Chairmanship of Professor Arvind Pandey, Director, National Institute of Medical Statistics, New Delhi., http://www.nihfw.org/Doc/Policy_unit/The_%20Story_%20of%20our_%20Popualtion-Fertility_%20trends%20_and%20_levels_%20of_%20achievement%20(2013).pdf
· 2015, Conceptualizing HIV/AIDS Stigma among Adolescents and Youths in North Indian Setting: A Social Representation Approach, jointly with Mobar, Sonal, Mishra, A.K., Sharma, A.K., and Singh, Rita, in Deb, Sibnath and Shukla, Archana (eds.), HIV/AIDS in India: A Public Health Approach on Contemporary Trends, Global Vision Publishing House, New Delhi.
· 2022, Coping and HIV/AIDS: A Study of Men Having Sex with Men in Mumbai, under publication.
· 2023, Understanding the rise in traditional contraceptive methods use in Uttar Pradesh, India, Journal of Reproductive Health, Namasivayam, et al. Reproductive Health (2023) 20:8.
· 2023, Research Brief on 'Quality of family planning services in UP and Bihar: Learning and Future Opportunities.'
· 2023, Research Brief on 'Increasing traditional contraceptive methods users in India: Insights from a study in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.', Prakash, R., Mahapatra, T., Singh, S., Mishra, A. K., Saggurti, N., Singhal, S., Isac, S., Achyut, P., Dehury, B., and FP-MLE Consortium.
· 2023, Research Brief on 'Education as a means to improve family planning: Evidence from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.', Achyut P, Dutta N, Mazumdar A, Gautam A, Kumari S, Mishra AK, Singh RN, Prakash R, Mahapatra T & FP-MLE Consortium.
· 2023, Report on Landscape of Cancer Care Provision in Uttar Pradesh: Qualitative Case Study Report., Access Health International and King George Medical University. The Study Report was released by Principal Secretary Health- Uttar Pradesh.
DISTINCTIONS/ AWARDS
· Cleared National Eligibility Test for University Teaching in Population Studies (2003).
· Institute's Fellowship for pursuing Ph.D. from Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Kanpur.
· Government of India Fellowship for pursuing a Master of Philosophy in Population Studies.
· Currently serving as the Associate Chief Managing Editor of Demography India, a peer-reviewed journal.
LANGUAGES
· English, good
· Hindi, native
Timeline
Deputy Director MLE
Evidence Action, Give Well Funded
09.2023 - 11.2024
MLE Specialist
Access Health International, BMGF Funded
05.2022 - 07.2023
Senior Specialist
India Health Action Trust, BMGF
12.2018 - 04.2022
Strategic Planning Expert
Ecorys, World Bank Funded
04.2017 - 12.2018
Technical Specialist MLE
International Center, Funded
07.2014 - 03.2017
ME and Strategic Planning Specialist
India Health Action Trust, BMGF Funded
01.2014 - 06.2014
Technical Specialist
Futures Group International India Pvt. Ltd
03.2012 - 12.2013
Manager
Futures Group International India Pvt. Ltd
08.2010 - 02.2012
Senior Project Officer
Pathfinder International
12.2008 - 08.2010
Research Officer
International Institute for Population Sciences
07.2004
Assistant Research Officer
International Institute for Population Sciences
01.2004 - 06.2004
Research Fellow
Banaras Hindu University
01.2001 - 07.2001
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