Program Explorations Associate at New Incentives

Position Overview

• New Incentives is at an exciting inflection point.
• Having established a rigorous evidence base for our core conditional cash transfer program for routine immunization, we are now investing in building a pipeline of new, cost-effective interventions—from lighter-touch program variants to complementary health interventions like ORS distribution—that extend our impact and inform how we scale.
• We are seeking a Program Explorations Associate to support the organization in identifying and piloting new, potentially highly cost-effective program additions.
• This is a field-heavy role: you will spend significant time on the ground in Nigeria observing pilots, troubleshooting implementation challenges, and engaging with stakeholders from caregivers to government officials. Back at your desk, you will coordinate across internal teams to translate what you learn into operational improvements.
• The ideal candidate is a sharp, adaptable problem-solver who thrives in ambiguous environments and can move fluidly between field observation, stakeholder conversations, and internal coordination.
• Success requires being comfortable engaging critically with evidence and asking the right questions.

Responsibilities
Field Work & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Travel to Nigeria to observe program pilots (e.g., ORS distribution, SMS reminders for routine immunization), identify implementation gaps, and propose practical solutions
• Conduct supervision visits with surveyors to review for adherence to survey protocols and identify potential gaps
• Conduct qualitative assessments by speaking with caregivers, clinic staff, and field officers to understand pain points and inform protocol adjustments
• Engage with state and local government (LGA) health officials to gather feedback, build relationships, and support program alignment with government priorities
• Assess whether pilots are being executed with fidelity before recommending scale-up

Internal Coordination:

• Coordinate with our Engineering team to implement changes to data collection tools (e.g., adding verification steps for phone number collection)
• Work with our Operations team to develop training materials and protocols for enumerators and field officers
• Collaborate with Stakeholder Relations and Audit teams as needed to ensure pilots meet organizational standards
• Translate field observations and research findings into clear recommendations for leadership

Program Design & Evidence:

• Coordinate with our Program Explorations Associate and IDinsight on the operational aspects of RCTs and coverage surveys (e.g., logistics, timing, field team alignment)
• Review and synthesize existing research and program learnings to inform decisions on new program additions
• Define and review program monitoring indicators for new pilots to track fidelity and surface early warning signs
• This role is remote, but includes a significant amount of travel to engage with our operations in northern Nigeria.
• Trips are planned flexibly in discussion with the team.
• The number and duration will vary but typically range around 12-15 weeks per year. We have a Security Unit that actively carries out security assessments and provides security guidance, however all staff members are always responsible for their own safety.

Qualifications and skills
Required:

• Bachelor's degree in public health, international development, or a related field
• At least two years of professional experience in program operations, field research, M&E, consulting, or a related area
• Demonstrated ability to identify operational problems and propose practical solutions
• Comfort engaging with diverse stakeholders—from community members to government officials
• Experience coordinating across multiple teams or workstreams
• Strong attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities in a remote environment
• Willingness to travel to Nigeria for extended trips (2–4 weeks at a time)
• Strong commitment to New Incentives' mission and evidence-based approach.

Preferred:

• Experience working in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Nigeria
• Familiarity with randomized controlled trials or impact evaluations
• Experience working at an NGO, research organization, or consultancy
• Familiarity with global health programs, particularly immunization or maternal and child health
• Exposure to randomized controlled trials or impact evaluations (not required to run them, but helpful to understand them).