Position Summary
IPA’s Right-Fit Evidence (RFE) Unit is seeking an experienced and dedicated Advisor to join its team. In this key role, you will provide evidence- and data-driven Monitoring, Learning, and Evaluation (MEL) guidance to implementers and funders, helping to shape more effective programs and policies. Your contributions will directly support impactful decision-making across RFE’s active portfolio. As an Advisor, you will work closely with and report to an RFE Manager. This position is open to candidates based in countries in Africa where IPA has a country office. Strong preference will be given to candidates with existing permanent work authorization in the country where they wish to be based.
Responsibilities
Technical capability strengthening (60%):
● Collaborate with partners through project teams to develop and strengthen their Theories of Change (ToCs) and plans for Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL).
● Offer continuous technical guidance, coaching, and trainingto partners on various aspects of MEL, including data collection methods, survey instrument creation, data
management, analysis, and evidence-based decision- making.
● Prepare and present advisory and analytical deliverables, ensuring clear and efficient communication while maintaining high standards of quality.
● Detailed quality checks on deliverables
● Manage portions of project workplans and administration (such as note-taking, file storage, etc.)
Stakeholder Engagement and Partner Management (20%):
● Establish and maintain strong relationships with key external stakeholders, including direct interaction with leadership staff from partner organizations.
● Successfully collaborate across IPA teams, including with country offices, policy, and research teams.
● Accompany and provide feedback on data collection design and implementation as needed, such as coaching partners on prototyping activities in the field or designing action- oriented process evaluations
New Project Design Support (20%):
● Contribute to the development of new RFE engagements by participating in scoping meetings, designing methodologies, and crafting concept notes or proposal documents.
● Contribute to IPA impact potential through proactive reflection on lessons learned to suggest systematic improvements in current and future engagements
Qualifications
Required
- 2-5 years of relevant work experience, which includes, for example, work in MEL, data analysis and management, consulting and project management, and research and development
- Superior analytical, quantitative, and conceptual thinking skills
- Entrepreneurial self-starter mindset, highly adaptable, and versatile, with strong multi-tasking skills
- Ability to travel up to 20% of your time
- English language fluency
- Passion for making data-driven decisions a reality in the international development sector.
- A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (Master’s preferred) in economics, statistics, public policy, international development, social science, or related fields.
Preferred
- Experience living and working in developing countries.
- Prior experience in consultancy or provision of similar professional services
- Expertise in international development and/or humanitarian work
- Appreciation for the strengths and limitations of various data collection and evaluation methods and the ability to match the appropriate method(s) to a variety of circumstances
- Familiarity with randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
- Professional proficiency in Spanish, French, and/or Portuguese.
Reports to
Manager, Right-Fit Evidence
Deadline to Apply
January 1st, 2025
Location
Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, FWA, and Rwanda
Open Vacancies
2
Application Instructions
About IPA
Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) is a research and policy nonprofit that discovers and promotes effective solutions to global poverty problems. IPA brings together researchers and decision-makers to design, rigorously evaluate, and refine these solutions and their applications, ensuring that the evidence created is used to improve the lives of the world’s poor. In recent decades, trillions of dollars have been spent on programs designed to reduce global poverty, but clear evidence of which programs succeed is rare, and when evidence does exist, decision-makers often do not know about it. IPA exists to bring together leading researchers and these decision-makers to ensure that the evidence we create leads to a tangible impact on the world. Since its founding in 2002, IPA has worked with over 600 leading academics to conduct over 900 evaluations in 52 countries. This research has informed hundreds of successful programs that now impact millions of individuals worldwide.
Safeguarding at IPA
At Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), we are committed to creating a safe and respectful environment for all individuals, particularly children and vulnerable adults. As IPA adheres to strict safeguarding principles, selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards. By joining IPA, you become part of a team dedicated to ethical conduct, social responsibility, and meaningful impact in the fight against global poverty. Together, we work to create a better world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive with dignity and respect.
IPA’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
As an organization, IPA is dedicated to improving the lives of the world’s most vulnerable populations through evidence and policy. We also recognize how important it is for our staff to reflect the diversity of the places where we work and the communities we work with. As such, IPA is committed to hiring from a diverse pool of candidates, from a range of backgrounds, beliefs, experiences, and perspectives. We know that this makes our work stronger and more responsive to the challenges faced by those we work with and for and we encourage people from historically underrepresented groups to apply.
Innovations for Poverty Action is an affirmative action-equal opportunity employer. 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 [email protected] or via phone at 1-202-386-6200. 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 [email protected]. Please note that only qualified applicants will be contacted by the hiring manager
This position is open to candidates based in countries in Africa where IPA has a country office. Strong preference will be given to candidates with existing permanent work authorization in the country where they wish to be based
