Innovations for Poverty Action seeks a qualified Research Manager to manage multiple ongoing research projects in Zambia.
Research Managers manage a portfolio of up to five projects. These projects will include both research and project implementation components. They span a range of sectoral areas, such as finance, agriculture, health, education and governance issues. As part of their supervisory role, the Research Manager works closely with the country office to ensure effective support is provided to projects, and that projects are working within the relevant policies and procedures. Research Managers are members of country program management teams, thus they play a senior management role through contributions to country program development, project development, policy conversations as well as capacity building.
Responsibilities
The Research Associate will perform a variety of tasks including, but not limited to:
Keep the Country Director apprised of all developments on the projects in their portfolio, and serve as key link between the field office, project staff, and Principal Investigators
Ensure project adherence in the field to general research design, sample selection, data management and analysis, and overall project management
Oversee project financial management, including creation and monitoring of project budgets, and ensure smooth integration of projects into IPA financial systems
Work with field office staff to ensure sound human resource and operational management of projects
Directly supervise project research staff (Research Associates and Field Managers), and help with transitions, on-boarding of new research staff and maintaining “institutional memory” of project activities
Ensure that project deliverables, such as reports and financial statements, are submitted to donors and partners on time
Lead training on data management and general project management for new/incoming project research staff
Promote inter-project best practices and take a lead in sharing best practices with projects through formal and informal training opportunities
Be the point of contact for data management and analysis support for project staff by serving as the link between projects and IPA headquarters
Attend meetings and build partner relations with local government officials and partners to ensure success of both project specific and key IPA programmatic activities
When requested, support the dissemination of results via presentations and reports to academic and non-academic audiences
Help in building policy outreach plans for research projects in collaboration with researchers and country team
Support the Country Director in the development of new research studies in cooperation with principal investigators and partner organizations
Qualifications
Master’s degree in related field, such as development economics, public policy, public health, or education policy
Two years of research or project management experience
Strong budgeting and financial management skills; experience with writing donor reports and grant proposals
Strong written and oral communication skills and complete fluency in English is required
Experience supervising data collection, teams of field workers, survey design and implementation and data management. Background in randomized control trials is strongly preferred
Cultural sensitivity and demonstrated ability to work successfully with diverse constituencies required; developing country experience required
Quantitative skills; working knowledge of Stata is essential
An desire to commit to this position for two years
Flexible and proactive work ethic with a demonstrated interest in the vision and mission of IPA
Additional Desired Qualifications:
Advanced experience with data management and applied statistics
Experience with electronic data collection platforms
Demonstrated ability to work with donors and/or partner organizations; experience with grants management
Experience with presenting research findings at public forums, including to non-research focused audiences, is preferred
Application Instructions
Complete the J-PAL/IPA common application. After completing a brief registration, choose the Research job category, then select “Research Manager, Zambia”. Most applications for research positions require you to include at minimum two letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose (cover letter), CV, and transcripts. Note that you are able to submit your application without the recommendation letters. However, please be advised that we will be requiring them should you be invited for an interview.
About IPA
Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) discovers and promotes effective solutions to global poverty problems. IPA designs, rigorously evaluates, and refines these solutions and their applications together with decision-makers to ensure that the evidence created is used to improve opportunities for the world’s poor. Since our founding in 2002, IPA has worked with over 350 leading academics to conduct over 450 evaluations in 51 countries. This research has informed hundreds of successful programs that now impact millions of individuals worldwide.
Disclaimers
Innovations for Poverty Action is an EO Employer-MF/Veteran/Disability. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected class. IPA will endeavor to make a reasonable accommodation to a qualified applicant with a disability unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. If you believe you require such assistance to complete this form or to participate in an interview, please contact us at jobs@poverty-action.org or via phone at 1-203-772-2216. Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work to be performed by the specified position. The statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all possible duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary. Please note that IPA will never request any form of payment from an applicant. Applicants are encouraged to confirm the information listed above with IPA prior to releasing any extensive personal information to the organization. Please direct questions to jobs@poverty-action.org.
** Please note that only qualified applicants will be contacted by the hiring manager.