Job Summary

The Country Lead will oversee IPA’s operations and policy influence in Sierra Leone and Liberia, providing strategic leadership for the research portfolio, policy engagement, Embedded Evidence Labs, and scaling programs in both countries. Based in Freetown, the Country Lead will manage relationships with donors, academic researchers, and senior government partners, represent IPA in high-level policy discussions, and develop and oversee a highly functioning policy and research team that delivers policy and business impact. Working closely with IPA’s Regional Director, this position sets the strategic direction for IPA Sierra Leone and Liberia and is accountable for the business development efforts that sustain and grow the country programs.

Responsibilities

Strategic leadership and country direction (30%)

• Set and implement IPA Sierra Leone and Liberia’s country strategy in alignment with IPA Global and regional priorities.
• Lead country-level planning, including annual work plans and multi-year strategic goals, and hold the senior country team accountable for reaching them.
• Serve as the primary relationship holder with the Regional Director and IPA Global teams.
• Maintain IPA’s visibility and reputation with academic institutions, NGOs, and government, and troubleshoot gaps in high-level stakeholder management and reputational risks.

Policy leadership, Embedded Evidence Labs, and research oversight (40%)

• Lead IPA Sierra Leone and Liberia’s overall policy impact strategy.
• Provide strategic vision and oversight of IPA’s Embedded Evidence Labs (for example, the Ministry of Education Lab and Ministry of Health Lab).
• Represent IPA at high-level policy forums and in relationships with senior government officials, donors, and partner organizations.
• Engage government and development stakeholders to identify priority research questions and translate evidence into policy action.
• Provide strategic oversight to the research portfolio, working with Research Managers, Research Associates, and Principal Investigators to ensure projects meet IPA quality standards.
• Support the team on implementation challenges and manage relationships with external researchers.
• Support the integration of research findings into policy engagement.
• Promote best practices, capacity building, and lessons sharing across the country team and other IPA offices.

Business development, operations, finance, and risk oversight (30%)

• Lead efforts to identify and secure new funding, in consultation with the Global Policy team and Regional Director, to sustain the country office.
• Develop concept notes and proposals for policy and research engagements.
• Cultivate donor relationships and pursue strategic partnerships that advance IPA Sierra Leone and Liberia’s mission and financial sustainability.
• With support from regional operations and finance colleagues, maintain high-level oversight of country office compliance, financial health, and risk management.
• Ensure adherence to IPA policies, donor requirements, and legal obligations.
• Escalate and manage security and reputational risks as needed.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in development economics, international affairs, international public policy, or a field related to international economic development.
• Seven or more years of relevant experience, preferably in applied research and public policy in the development sector.
• Demonstrated success managing teams and complex stakeholder relationships, particularly with researchers, donors, and senior government officials.
• Experience with quantitative and qualitative research projects.
• Proven experience in strategy design and implementation, particularly in government or multilateral settings.
• Experience in the education and/or social protection sectors.
• Experience leading business development opportunities.
• Fluency in English.
• Ability and willingness to travel to IPA country office locations and other locations as needed.
• Experience in evidence-to-policy translation, embedded technical assistance, or institutional capacity building. (preferred)
• Demonstrated ability to lead large teams and multiple projects. (preferred)
• Strong quantitative skills and familiarity with randomized controlled trials. (preferred)
• Passion for connecting rigorous research to policy makers and practitioners and communicating what works in development. (preferred)
• Commitment to leading a diverse team in a multicultural environment and building staff capacity. (preferred)
• Ability to communicate effectively across cultures with international and local academic researchers, government officials, NGO partners, enumeration teams, and study participants. (preferred)
• Excellent management and organizational skills, and the ability to work independently. (preferred)
• Flexible and self-motivating, able to manage multiple tasks efficiently, and a team player. (preferred)
• Strong oral and written communication skills. (preferred)

Location

The duty station is Freetown, Sierra Leone, and the role covers IPA’s work in both Sierra Leone and Liberia. The role requires the ability and willingness to travel to IPA country office locations and other locations as needed.

Reports To

Regional Director

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About IPA

Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) is a research and policy nonprofit that discovers and advances what works to improve the lives of people living in poverty. IPA brings together researchers and decision-makers to design, rigorously evaluate, and refine these solutions and their applications, ensuring that the evidence created is used to improve the lives of people living in poverty. In recent decades, trillions of dollars have been spent on programs designed to reduce global poverty, but clear evidence of which programs succeed is rare, and when evidence does exist, decision-makers often do not know about it. IPA exists to bring together leading researchers and these decision-makers to ensure that the evidence we create leads to a tangible impact on the world. Since its founding in 2002, IPA has worked with over 600 leading academics to conduct over 1,000 evaluations in 52 countries. This research has informed hundreds of successful programs that now impact millions of individuals worldwide.

Safeguarding at IPA

At Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), we are committed to creating a safe and respectful environment for all individuals, particularly children and vulnerable adults. As IPA adheres to strict safeguarding principles, selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards. By joining IPA, you become part of a team dedicated to ethical conduct, social responsibility, and meaningful impact in the fight against global poverty. Together, we work to create a better world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive with dignity and respect.