Position Summary

IPA's Right-Fit Evidence (RFE) Unit is seeking a Manager to support the strategic delivery of an exciting multi-country project focused on education, health, and Mental Health And Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) interventions in refugee and humanitarian settings. The project provides partners inside and outside of Africa with a Community of Practice as well as tailored support to design and implement the monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) plans that accompany program implementation. You would work with a well-established team, and your role would focus on project management, stakeholder liaison, and technical assistance to partners. You would manage 1-2 Advisors and report to a Director. Additionally, you will work closely with other colleagues across RFE and IPA, and have opportunities to participate in other RFE projects and processes.

Responsibilities

70-75% - Manage the strategic delivery of a large multi-country project, possibly additional projects, as part of impactful advisory engagements: As a key point of contact for a range of clients, including implementers, funders, and government agencies, you will manage project teams to develop tailor-made solutions for their evidence, learning and M&E needs and guide their quality implementation. The main project will be in MHPSS and education, though other projects may form part of your portfolio.

• Manage the design, content, and delivery of a large multi-partner, multi-country project. Serve as the project management function working with a large funder, partners, and internal team, and oversee MEL/research conducted together with our country offices and external partners. Technical leadership for the design and implementation of right-fit MEL activities, working collaboratively with funders, government stakeholders, and implementers. Technical aspects of the work could include theory of change and learning plan development workshops, mixed methods evaluation design, MEL system technical assistance, data use guidance, evidence reviews, etc.
• Over time, manage other RFE engagements with various teams across various sectors
• 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
• Manage project finances, ensuring high-quality outputs are delivered at- or under-budget.

10-20% - Contribute to the design of an exciting lineup of new engagements: You will provide valuable and innovative services to our clients and expanding our impact on MEL practices in the development and humanitarian sectors.

• Contribute key ideas to match partner needs for new potential engagements in collaboration with IPA Research, Sector, and Policy teams;
• Coordinate proposal development processes, often managing Advisors on content preparation 
  Interface with active or potential funders, occasionally representing RFE and IPA, in conferences and other events
• Support RFE thought leadership and global influence through production and dissemination of public goods.

10-15% - Contribute to IPA and Right-Fit Evidence Unit Strategy and Team Development: The RFE Management team is key to driving the strategic impact potential of the unit as well as the growth and development of a dynamic, diverse team of approximately 30 staff based in over ten countries around the world.

• Take a proactive role in the innovation and implementation of various products and services, likely managing the ongoing development of one key RFE product
• Manage the performance for 2-3 high-capacity Advisors in the team, 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, with an emphasis on well-being and sustainability.

Qualifications

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.

Required:

• Master's degree in international affairs, (development) economics, development studies, or related fields. MBAs also welcome.
• 8+ years of relevant work experience, including significant experience in M&E, 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
• Passion for making data-driven decision-making a reality in the development sector

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 or MHPSS
• 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 randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
• Working knowledge of French and/or Spanish
• Lived experience in Africa and/or in low- and middle-income countries

Reports to

Director, Right-Fit Evidence

Location

Kenya or Uganda

Deadline to Apply

Friday June 6th, 2025

Application Instructions

Click here to apply!

About IPA

Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) is a research and policy nonprofit that discovers and promotes effective solutions to global poverty problems. 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 the world’s poor. 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 900 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.