Deputy Country Director at Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA)

Responsibilities for the Deputy Country Director Job

Research Oversight and Project Backstopping

• In close collaboration with the rest of the research management team, you will ensure that high-quality research support and oversight is provided to all projects by:
• Leading office and country-wide meetings and trainings
• Creating systems and structures to build staff capacity and ensure overall data quality
• Liaising with academic researchers and on-the-ground research teams to ensure that the research teams adhere to study design and research protocols
• Working to incorporate best practices and lessons learned in research and operations by other IPA offices and research affiliates across all projects

Directly oversee two or three projects

• Provide day-to-day technical support and guidance to research project staff to ensure work plans and timelines are met and data quality is high
• Oversee data collection and data entry operations and ensure that projects meet IPA’s research protocols and standards
• Oversee the production of quality technical reports, outputs and analysis, project briefs, surveys, and communication materials
• Ensure consistent and regular researcher updates, partner liaising and updates
• Support project teams to ensure that all IRB rules and regulations are met
• Liaise with academic researchers and on the ground research teams to ensure that the research teams adhere to the study design and research protocols

General Management

• Safety and security, legal compliance
• Relationship with and submissions to National IRB Board Other permitting needs that might arise
• Work with administrative/policy staff to ensure that internal communication mechanisms are running efficiently, including google groups and the monthly e-newsletter.
• Facilitate office communication and promote IPA knowledge management tools
• Work with the CD to set a vision and strategic plan for the country program
• Fill in for CD as needed as senior-most representative of the Kenya Country Program
• Provide support to CD in ensuring the overall organizational and legal compliance of IPA Kenya

Support CD as needed to

• Conduct field and background research for new projects
• Conduct partner outreach including meetings with interested organization and review of new project ideas
• Create and refine budgets for new projects in consultation with research management team
• Initiate and maintain relationships with academic researchers in order to develop new studies and assist in developing a feasible research design
• Assist with grant applications and creating project budgets for new and ongoing projects
• Disseminate research findings to national stakeholders
• Represent IPA in Kenya to national and local government agencies and partner organizations
• Manage relationships with current and potential IPA Kenya partner organizations
• Participate in capacity building of local development partners in evidence-based policy making and rigorous impact evaluations

Deputy Country Director Job Qualifications

• Master’s degree in international affairs, international public policy, development economics, project management or field related to social science and economics research or international development
• Proven experience at a senior level, managing and implementing programmes, ideally in an international setting. A minimum of 5 years is desirable
• Strong technical research skills, scientific background particularly with experience of analyzing data would be desirable.
• Familiarity with randomized controlled trials preferred
• Experience with financial and operations management
• Strong leadership skills with proven history of managing complex or multiple projects, including staffing, design, planning and monitoring.
• Ability to communicate effectively across cultures with multiple stakeholders including international and local academic researchers, government officials, NGO partners, enumeration teams
• Sound levels of finance management and reporting to donors and finances under deadlines.
• Excellent organization and multitasking skills, ability to work under pressure
• Experience living and working in a developing country
• Commitment to leading a diverse team and building staff capacity
• Passion for connecting rigorous research to policy makers and practitioners
• Innate curiosity, analytic reasoning, and a sense of humor are required
• Demonstrate experience developing medium/long term program strategies and managing partnerships with multiple stakeholders.
• Strong facilitation, coordination, networking and negotiation skills.
• Proven writing and delivery of grant reports, proposals and communication in a timely manner and to a high quality.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.