Advisor, Right-Fit Evidence Unit at Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA)

Job Summary

• IPA’s Right-Fit Evidence (RFE) Unit has supported dozens of partners across the development and humanitarian sectors to embed evidence and learning into their work. The Advisor will play a key role in delivering evidence- and data-driven Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) advisory services to implementers and funders, helping them shape more effective programs and policies and transform how they use data for decision-making. The Advisor will report to an RFE Manager and collaborate closely with peer Advisors, other RFE colleagues, and IPA colleagues across country offices.

Responsibilities

Technical capability strengthening (70–85%)

• Collaborate with partners and project teams to develop and refine their Theories of Change (ToCs) and MEL frameworks
• Offer continuous, hands-on technical guidance, coaching, and training to partners on MEL design, data collection methods, survey instrument development, data management, analysis, and the use of evidence for decision-making
• Prepare and present high-quality advisory and analytical deliverables that communicate findings and recommendations clearly and effectively, while maintaining high standards of quality
• Conduct detailed quality checks on deliverables
• Design and adapt workshop content and materials to meet partner needs; plan and facilitate workshops, training sessions, and collaborative learning events, and coordinate their logistics
• Manage portions of project workplans and administration (such as documentation, note-taking, file storage, and work plan tracking)

Stakeholder engagement and partner management (5–10%)

• Establish and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with key external stakeholders, including direct interaction with leadership staff from partner organizations
• Serve as a strategic thought partner to foundations, NGOs, and governments, helping them unpack complex programmatic and strategic questions and identify actionable insights
• Accompany and provide feedback on data collection design and implementation as needed, such as coaching partners on prototyping activities or designing action-oriented process evaluations
• Contribute to knowledge exchange within RFE and across IPA by sharing insights, lessons, and good practices that strengthen the organization’s collective expertise

Business development (5–10%)

• 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’s impact potential through proactive reflection on lessons learned to suggest systematic improvements in current and future engagements

Contributing to RFE strategy and team development (5–10%)

To support the growth and development of a diverse team of about 40 staff based in over ten countries around the world, the Advisor may:

• Take a proactive role in knowledge management of RFE products
• Support at least one goal within RFE’s annual strategic plan
• Encourage a positive work environment rooted in IPA values

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, statistics, public policy, international development, social science, or a related field
• 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 multitasking skills
• Passion for making data-driven decisions a reality in the international development sector
• English fluency (verbal and written)
• Ability and willingness to travel internationally (up to 20%)
• Master’s degree in economics, statistics, public policy, international development, social science, or a related field (preferred)
• Prior experience in consultancy or provision of similar professional services (preferred)
• Expertise in international development and/or humanitarian work (preferred)
• 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 (preferred)
• Familiarity with randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (preferred)
• Professional proficiency in Spanish, French, and/or Portuguese (preferred)
• Lived and/or work experience in Africa and/or in low- and middle-income countries (preferred)