Research Manager

• Reports to: Country Director
• Locations: Zambia
• Deadline to apply: Applicantions will be reviewed on a rolling basis
• Desired start date: As soon as possible preferred 
• Length of commitment: 2 years commitment is required for this position; ability to make a longer commitment is preferred

Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), is an international non-profit research organization. Based in New Haven, CT, with offices in Washington, D.C. and worldwide, IPA works with development partners and academic researchers to create and evaluate approaches to solving development problems, to communicate “what works” in development and to scale up successful projects in a variety of fields, including health, education, microfinance, governance and agriculture.

Position Summary:

Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) is a rapidly growing, global organization, and operates in almost 40 countries. We design innovative, cutting-edge approaches to solving development problems, rigorously evaluate these programs and promote the adoption of those with proven impact. This occurs both through the dissemination of results to policy makers, practitioners, and donors, as well as through supporting the large-scale implementation of evidence-based programs.

Based in Lusaka, the Research Manager (RM) will oversee a portfolio of 4 to 5 projects rigorous research studies in Zambia and Malawi. These studies will span a number of sectors, including health, education, governance, small enterprise development and agriculture, and will require working closely with researchers from top-tier academic institutions. In addition to overseeing projects in Zambia and Malawi, the RM will be a member of the country program senior management team and will also work closely with the Malawi and Zambia Country Directors to ensure that effective support is being given to projects in both countries and that staff in Malawi and Zambia are adequately trained in the best practices of research and  equipped to represent IPA’s work through policy dialogue. In addition, the RM will support new research project development in both countries.

Preference will be given to candidates that have experience in providing research oversight on projects that have employed randomized control trials (RCT). Additionally, very good practical knowledge of STATA is desirable for this position.

Responsibilities:

This position will be based in Lusaka, but will require travel to Malawi and rural areas of Zambia. The Research Manager will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Keep Country Director, or his/her designated representative, appraised of all developments on  projects, and serve as key link between the country office, project staff, and Principal Investigators. Ensure project adherence to general research design, sample selection, data management and analysis, and overall project management.
• Oversee project financial management, including creation and monitoring of project/program budgets, and ensuring smooth integration of projects into IPA financial systems.
• Work with country office staff to ensure sound human resource and operational management of project.
• Directly supervise project research assistants (Project Associates or Project Coordinators), and help with transitions when new research staff come on board; maintain “institutional memory” of project activities.
• Lead training on data management and general project management for new/incoming research staff.
• Promote inter-project best practices and take a lead in sharing best practices with projects through formal and informal training opportunities.
• Attend regular meetings with local government officials and partners to ensure success of programmatic activities.
• Coordination with Country Director and researchers to develop new projects, and support the dissemination of results to academic and non-academic audiences.

Qualifications

• Masters in development economics, or a field related to international economic development or health. Undergraduates with at least 5 years of field experience will also be considered.
• Extensive experience conducting social science or economic field research. Background in randomized control trials is strongly preferred.
• At least two years of project management experience. Extensive experience supervising data collection, teams of field workers, and survey design and implementation.
• Experience with data management, econometrics, and advance knowledge of Stata.
• Cultural sensitivity and demonstrated ability to work successfully with diverse constituencies required. Experience in conducting field research in developing countries required.
• Strong budgeting and financial management skills.
• Experience with presenting research findings at public forums, including to non-research focused audiences, is preferred.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, and complete fluency in English is required. Local language proficiency is preferred.

Application Instructions:

Please follow the application instructions below.  Any applications or CVs submitted outside this process will not be considered.  Note, only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview. Applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Complete the J-PAL/IPA common application. Please select the position(s) you are interested in applying for on the 'Submit Application' page. Include two letters of recommendation and transcripts. We will consider your application even if you are unable to obtain reference letters before the deadline, but please be advised that we will be requiring them should you be invited for an interview.

IPA is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer

All persons shall have the opportunity to be considered for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, alienage or citizenship status, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

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.

DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work to be performed by the Research Manager.  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 .