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

Position Summary

• IPA's Right-Fit Evidence (RFE) Unit is seeking a Manager to develop and manage the delivery of an impactful portfolio of evidence- and learning-related advisory services. You will inspire the effective use of evidence for learning for a diverse set of implementing organisations, funders, and government agencies that work across many sectors in development and humanitarian contexts around the world. You will also be a member of the RFE global management team and contribute to its strategic development. You will manage 1-2 Advisors and primarily report to a Associate Director or Director of RFE. You will also work closely with peer RFE Managers, 3-4 other RFE (Associate) Directors, and many members of the team across our various advisory engagements. This position is open to candidates based in countries in Africa where IPA has a country office. Strong preference will be given to candidates with existing permanent work authorization in the country where they wish to be based.

Responsibilities

Manage the execution of a portfolio of impactful advisory engagements

As a key point of contact for a wide range of clients, including implementers, funders, and government agencies, you will often manage multiple project teams to develop tailor-made solutions for their evidence, learning and M&E needs and guide their quality implementation. You may work across multiple sectors, including education, technology, agriculture, and livelihoods, among others. Specific responsibilities may include

• 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, this could include theory of change and learning plan development workshops, mixed methods evaluation design, cost-effectiveness modeling, MEL system technical assistance, data use guidance, evidence reviews, etc.
• Serve as the point of contact for a wide range of clients
• Manage RFE Advisor(s) on projects to develop and implement tailor-made solutions for our 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

Qualifications

Required

• There are several different profiles that could fit this position well. Here are some examples, but these are not exhaustive so if you do not have these backgrounds but feel like you meet the qualifications below, you are encouraged to apply.
• Consulting professionals with some international development experience who would be excited to apply their skillset in an entrepreneurial and impact-focused environment
• Evaluators and M&E practitioners who are passionate about using data for learning and action and are interested in using their expertise for client-focused advisory services
• International development research management professionals who enjoy working closely with funders and practitioners and who would like to expand their experience and skills to all types of data and evidence that can inform decision-making.

Qualifications:

• Master's degree in international public policy, (development) economics, or related fields, 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/private sectors), organizational performance/R&D/operational research (private sector), or experience in management consulting/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 and demonstration of associated skillsets
• Demonstrated ability to coach and train others on technical matters
• Strong stakeholder management and client-facing communication skills with 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 multi-tasking skills
• Ability to travel up to 20% of your time

Preferred

• Prior experience in consultancy or provision of similar professional services
• Expertise in multiple sectors of international development and/or humanitarian work, particularly in education
• Experience working in philanthropy and/or with government stakeholders
• Experience producing, publishing and/or disseminating public goods for policy influence and advocacy
• 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
• Expertise in specific areas of monitoring, evaluation, and learning
• Familiarity with M&E technology and exposure to Survey CTO, ODK, or similar data collection software
• Experience with qualitative data collection and analysis
• Experience leading project or program evaluations
• Familiarity with randomised controlled trials (RCTs)
• Working knowledge of French and/or Spanish
• Lived experience in Africa and/or in low- and middle-income countries