Associate Director, Research at Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA)

Job Summary

• The Associate Director, Research leads the research function of IPA Nigeria, providing strategic and technical oversight across all research studies in the country program.
• Reporting to the Country Director, the Associate Director directly manages all Research Managers and holds responsibility for the quality, compliance, and timely delivery of all research projects in-country, and may also directly manage selected high-priority or complex studies.
• As a senior member of the Nigeria management team, the Associate Director drives research quality standards, shapes the country research agenda, and strengthens the capacity of the research team to deliver rigorous, policy-relevant evidence.
• The role also carries extensive involvement in business development and organizational growth, with wide-ranging impact on IPA Nigeria’s direction and success.

Responsibilities
Research Portfolio Oversight (40%):

• Hold responsibility for the quality and delivery of all research projects within IPA Nigeria, including technical supervision of Research Managers who oversee individual project portfolios.
• Conduct periodic reviews of project plans, data management practices, and research protocols; escalate or resolve issues affecting project quality or timelines.
• Ensure all studies adhere to IPA’s research standards, including sample selection, randomization, data security, and ethical compliance.
• Review and approve key research outputs such as pre-analysis plans, data quality reports, and final analyses before submission to researchers or donors.
• Ensure compliance with donor requirements on timelines and deliverables; lead engagements with Principal Investigators and donors on high-priority projects.
• Where operational needs require, directly manage one or more research projects, serving as the primary point of contact for the lead researcher and assuming full responsibility for study implementation, team supervision, and financial management.

Research Team Leadership and Supervision (30%):

• Directly supervise all Research Managers in the Nigeria office, setting performance expectations, conducting regular one-on-one meetings, providing structured feedback, and leading formal performance reviews.
• Identify professional development needs and create opportunities for Research Managers to build skills in research design, data management, and team leadership.
• Foster a culture of rigor, collaboration, and continuous learning within the research team; promote consistent application of best practices and facilitate cross-project knowledge sharing.
• Ensure all project teams have access to the tools, templates, and guidance needed to implement studies to IPA’s standards.
• Support the design and delivery of technical training for research staff, with emphasis on statistical analysis software, survey platform use, and research ethics.
• Contribute to country office management as a core member of the senior leadership team, supporting operational planning, cross-functional coordination, and organizational learning.

Research Development and Strategic Positioning (30%):

• Work closely with the Country Director to develop and execute a country research strategy aligned with IPA’s global priorities and Nigeria’s policy landscape.
• Identify new research opportunities, cultivate relationships with lead researchers at Nigerian and international institutions, and support development of competitive donor proposals and study budgets across all phases from study design through agreement reviews.
• Lead efforts to deepen IPA Nigeria’s engagement with Nigerian researchers and research institutions, expanding the country office’s network of local research partners.
• Represent IPA Nigeria in external forums, policy discussions, and researcher engagements, positioning the office as a credible and rigorous research partner.
• Support dissemination of research findings to government partners, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders through policy briefs, presentations, and workshops.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Development Economics, Economics, Public Policy, or a related field.
• Doctoral degree in a relevant field. (preferred)
• At least 8 years of experience in research management, international development, or a related field, with a minimum of 3 years in a supervisory role overseeing multiple project teams or managers.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing a portfolio of rigorous research studies, including randomized controlled trials (RCTs), from design through dissemination.
• Proven track record of managing and developing research staff, including direct supervision of Research Managers or equivalent mid-level professionals.
• Extensive experience leading survey design, data collection, and data management for large-scale field studies.
• Strong background in quantitative research methods and proficiency in at least one statistical analysis platform (Stata, R, or Python).
• Experience with survey programming platforms such as SurveyCTO or ODK.
• Strong financial management skills, including experience overseeing multi-project budgets and ensuring donor compliance.
• Demonstrated ability to build and manage relationships with lead researchers, government partners, donors, and implementing organizations.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English; ability to present technical content clearly to both research and non-research audiences.
• Excellent judgment in prioritizing across competing demands in a fast-paced, multi-project environment.
• High degree of cultural sensitivity and demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse teams across multiple locations.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and problem-solving skills; self-directed and able to lead effectively with limited direct oversight.
• Previous work experience in Nigeria or West Africa. (preferred)
• Experience contributing to or leading development of donor proposals and research budgets. (preferred)
• Background in evidence-to-policy engagement, including presenting research findings to non-technical audiences and government stakeholders. (preferred)
• Experience designing or delivering technical training for research staff on statistical methods, data management, or research ethics. (preferred)
• Familiarity with IPA’s research systems, including SurveyCTO, IPA’s data security standards, and project management tools. (preferred)

Location:

• This position is based in Abuja, Nigeria.
• Occasional domestic travel is required, and some international travel is expected.