Research Manager at Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA)

Job Summary

• IPA Nigeria is seeking a Research Manager leading innovative research in the Nigeria Country Office.
• Based in Abuja, you'll drive evidence-based solutions through rigorous research methods while building strong partnerships across the country.
• As a key member of the Nigeria Management Team, you'll shape research initiatives that combine local expertise with global insights to advance IPA’s mission of evidence generation and poverty reduction.
• The position will be based in Abuja, Nigeria with extensive travel to project sites around the country.
• The Research Manager will oversee the initial portfolio of projects and will be responsible for the overall management of a portfolio of three to five projects, including assisting with hiring project management staff, interaction with PIs, and face-to-face coordination with partner organizations and Nigerian local, state and national government stakeholders.
• These projects will include large scale surveys across several Nigerian states: these projects are expected to be staffed with a team of 1 or 2 permanent staff each and up to 50 to 100 short term staff during data collection periods.
• This position is a unique opportunity as the successful candidate will play an integral role in working with IPA’s country, regional, and global teams to align research management and administrative structures for the IPA Nigeria country office.
• As a core member of the management team they will contribute to the establishment of the policies and procedures, development of new projects, stakeholder outreach, and capacity building.

Responsibilities

Research Leadership, Team Management, and Technical Oversight:

• Coordinate directly with project Research Associates to ensure timely and accurate discussions about project milestones, deliverables, and research development are met.
• Lead 2-4 research studies in Nigeria
• Oversee research design, sampling strategies, and data management protocols
• Provide technical leadership in quantitative and qualitative research methods.

Partnership Development and Stakeholder Management:

• Build and maintain relationships across West Africa with potential and active partner organizations in the Gender and Digital Connectivity project
• Supervise research staff and manage project finances
• Ensure timely delivery of high-quality deliverables
• Monitor project budgets and donor compliance
• Manage project work plans and documentation
• Support staff transitions and maintain institutional knowledge.

IPA-Nigera CO Management and Support:

• Keep the Country Director apprised of all developments on the projects in their portfolio, and serve as key link between the field office, project staff, and Principal Investigators
• Respond to existing calls for proposals in coordination with PIs and IPA’s Business Development team and support the development of new projects for the Nigeria office by establishing relationships with researchers, implementers, and funders, and developing opportunities and proposals.
• Contribute to country office initiatives and policy development
• Promote best practices across projects
• Drive adoption of research results through various channels
• Identify opportunities for systematic improvements
• Support organizational learning and knowledge sharing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Economics, Demography, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Public Policy, International Development, or a related quantitative or social science field is required; a Master’s degree in a relevant field is preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in project management experience, with a focus on research management conducting social science or economic field research
• Proficiency in data analysis including advanced Microsoft Excel, at least one statistical software package ((Stata, R, Python) and data collection platforms (SurveyCTO or ODK)
• Hands-on experience designing, strengthening, or implementing data collection, teams of field workers, and survey design
• Proven ability to manage multiple programmes or workstreams simultaneously, including coordinating stakeholders, tracking progress, and managing deliverables.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate technical analysis into clear, structured, and policy-relevant insights for non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to train, coach, or mentor others 
• Willingness to be a team player and identify connections between work streams.
• Cultural and political sensitivity and demonstrated ability to work successfully with diverse constituencies.
• Passion for making data-driven decision-making a reality in the development sector.