Job Openings 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)

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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. IPA is seeking multiple Managers to develop and manage an impactful portfolio of evidence- and learning-related advisory services. The Manager will inspire the effective use of evidence for learning among diverse implementing organizations, funders, and government agencies, and will join the RFE global management team. The Manager will supervise one to two Advisors, report to an Associate Director or Director of RFE, and work closely with peer Managers and IPA colleagues across country offices.

Responsibilities

Managing the execution of a portfolio of advisory engagements (70–80%)

• Serve as a key point of contact for a wide range of clients, including implementers, funders, and government agencies, often managing multiple project teams to develop tailor-made solutions for their evidence, learning, and M&E needs and guide their quality implementation; work may span multiple sectors, including education, technology, agriculture, and livelihoods
• Manage the design, content, and delivery of 2–3 engagements simultaneously, providing workshops and advisory services for funders, government stakeholders, and implementers to increase the use of data for improved decision-making (for example, theory of change and learning plan development workshops, mixed methods evaluation design, cost-effectiveness modeling, A/B testing, MEL system technical assistance, funder portfolio MEL, data use guidance, and evidence reviews)
• Manage RFE Advisor(s) on projects to develop and implement tailor-made solutions for clients’ MEL needs
• Advise and support IPA policy and country office teams worldwide on their own technical assistance engagements, often with government partners
• Manage project finances, ensuring high-quality outputs are delivered at or under budget

New business development and external relationship management (10%)

• Contribute key ideas to match partner needs for new potential engagements in collaboration with IPA Research, Sector, and Policy teams
• Coordinate proposal development processes, often managing Advisors on content preparation
• Interface with active or potential funders, occasionally representing RFE and IPA at conferences and other events
• Support RFE thought leadership and global influence through the production and dissemination of public goods

IPA and Right-Fit Evidence Unit strategy and team development (5–10%)

• Take a proactive role in the innovation and implementation of various products and services, likely managing the ongoing development of one key RFE product
• Manage the performance of one to two high-capacity Advisors, including professional development and support for sustainability, workload, and well-being
• Strengthen internal management systems
• Manage at least one goal within RFE’s annual strategic plan (specific assignments based on skills and interest)
• Encourage a positive work environment rooted in IPA values

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in international public policy, (development) economics, or a related field, with coursework in quantitative methods; MBAs also welcome
• 4+ years of relevant work experience, including experience in M&E (public sector), education policy or program management (public, non-profit, or private sectors), organizational performance, R&D, or operational research (private sector), or management consulting and other professional services
• Exposure to the design and management of evidence, learning, monitoring, and evaluation strategies and systems
• Superior analytical, quantitative, and conceptual thinking skills
• Project and people management experience, with demonstrated associated skills
• Demonstrated ability to coach and train others on technical matters
• Strong stakeholder management and client-facing communication skills, with the ability to present information in a structured and insightful way, both verbally and in writing
• Relevant work experience in low- and middle-income countries
• Familiarity with global debates around M&E and the use of evidence for decision-making
• 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%)
• Prior experience in consultancy or provision of similar professional services (preferred)
• Expertise in multiple sectors of international development and/or humanitarian work, particularly education, health, and technology (preferred)
• Experience working in philanthropy and/or with government stakeholders (preferred)
• Experience producing, publishing, and/or disseminating public goods for policy influence and advocacy (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)
• Expertise in specific areas of monitoring, evaluation, and learning (preferred)
• Familiarity with M&E technology and exposure to SurveyCTO, ODK, or similar data collection software (preferred)
• Experience with qualitative data collection and analysis (preferred)
• Experience leading project or program evaluations (preferred)
• Familiarity with randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (preferred)
• Professional proficiency in Spanish, French, and/or Portuguese (preferred)
• Lived experience in Africa and/or in low- and middle-income countries (preferred)