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

Job Summary

• The (Senior) Manager, Right-Fit Evidence Unit will develop and manage the delivery of an impactful portfolio of evidence- and learning-related advisory services, inspiring the effective use of evidence and learning for a diverse set of implementing organizations, funders, and government agencies across many sectors in development and humanitarian contexts.
• The Manager will serve as a key point of contact for clients, managing project teams to deliver tailor-made MEL and evidence solutions, and will contribute to the strategic development of the RFE global management team.
• The role manages 1-2 Advisors and reports primarily to an Associate Director or Director of RFE, working closely with peer RFE Managers and the broader IPA network.
• This position is open to candidates based in Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire, Kenya, Nigeria, or Uganda; strong preference will be given to candidates with existing permanent work authorization in their preferred country.

Responsibilities
Manage the execution of a portfolio of impactful advisory engagements (70-80%):

• Serve as the key point of contact for a wide range of clients — including implementers, funders, and government agencies — managing multiple project teams to develop tailor-made solutions for their evidence, learning, and M&E needs and guide quality implementation across multiple sectors (education, technology, agriculture, social protection, livelihoods, and others).
• Manage the design, content, and delivery of 2-3 engagements simultaneously, providing workshops and advisory services to increase improved use of data for decision-making. Examples include theory of change and learning plan development, mixed-methods evaluation design, cost-effectiveness modeling, MEL system technical assistance, data use guidance, and evidence reviews.
• Manage RFE Advisors 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 working with government partners.
• Manage project finances, ensuring high-quality outputs are delivered at or under budget.

Contribute to new business development and external relationship management (10-20%):

• Contribute ideas to match partner needs for new potential engagements, in collaboration with IPA Research, Sector, and Policy teams; work could include theory of change, evaluation design, cost-effectiveness modeling, MEL system support, data use guidance, and evidence reviews.
• Coordinate proposal development processes, often managing Advisors on content preparation; independently lead approach ideas and external facilitation for proposals that fit existing RFE products, and contribute to the key orientations of innovative proposals.
• Interface with active or potential funders, occasionally representing RFE and IPA at conferences and other events.
• Take a proactive role in the innovation and implementation of various RFE products and services.

Contribute to IPA and Right-Fit Evidence Unit strategy and team development (5-10%):

• Support RFE thought leadership and global influence through the production and dissemination of public goods, likely managing the ongoing development of one key RFE product.
• Manage the performance of 1-2 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, with 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 management consulting or other professional services, and/or M&E, policy, or program management in public, non-profit, or private sectors; or organizational performance, R&D, or operational research.
• Exposure to the design and management of evidence, learning, monitoring, and evaluation strategies and systems.
• Experience with qualitative data collection and analysis.
• Experience leading project or program evaluations.
• Project and people management experience with demonstrated associated skillsets.
• Superior analytical, quantitative, and conceptual thinking skills.
• Demonstrated ability to coach and train others on technical matters.
• Strong stakeholder and client-facing communication skills, with the ability to present information in a structured and insightful way both verbally and in writing.
• 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 the time.
• Passion for making data-driven decision-making a reality in the development sector.
• English fluency required (verbal and written).
• Prior experience in consultancy or similar professional services. (preferred)
• Expertise in multiple sectors of international development and/or humanitarian work, particularly education. (preferred)
• Experience working in philanthropy and/or with (I)NGOs. (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)
• Familiarity with randomized controlled trials (RCTs). (preferred)
• Working knowledge of French and/or Spanish. (preferred)
• Lived experience in Africa and/or in low- and middle-income countries. (preferred)
• Relevant work experience in low- and middle-income countries (preferred).