Position Summary

The Strategic Impact Evaluation and Learning (SIEL) program of the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is a six-year learning partnership between FCDO’s Evaluation Unit, IPA, and the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL). SIEL aims to:

• Establish a robust evidence base to understand 'what works', including long-term impacts
• Enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of FCDO’s interventions and policies in strategic priority areas
• Equip FCDO staff with the necessary skills to deploy and leverage impact evaluations to optimize value for money.

Responsibilities

40%

Support the coordination of SIEL’s research fund focusing on humanitarian assistance, conflict and fragility, growth, and climate and nature

• Coordinate the regular competitive funding process, including drafting the calls for proposals, communicating with FCDO and research teams, managing the proposal review process, and supervising the development of grant agreements
• Track the status of grants and projects in SIEL’s portfolio, through the detailed review of grant deliverables and regular communication with research teams
• Liaise internally with relevant IPA teams such as research support, programs, grants, legal, finance, and global operations
• Support grant reporting to donor
• Participate in the first review and filtering of research studies that will go onto the competitive fund review board

30%

Project development

• Support the Program Lead in project development activities, including but not limited to, conducting outreach and providing support to FCDO teams to develop proposals and coordinating matchmaking with researchers
• Liaise with FCDO teams, IPA and J-PAL Country Offices, external and internal researchers, and implementing organizations in order to support them in project development efforts

20%

Communications and policy outreach

• Support SIEL’s Research Uptake Lead and Program Lead in organizing and preparing materials for dissemination activities
• Support other dissemination activities as needed, such as keeping IPA’s website up to date with project summaries and planning and presenting at events
• Supporti SIEL’s Capacity Strengthening Lead in organizing and preparing materials for training sessions and other capacity strengthening activities

10%

General program administration

• Support financial monitoring and administration
• Contribute to the implementation of IPA’s diversity, equality, and inclusion strategy, including tracking SIEL’s progress against organizational metrics

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, political science, public policy, or related fields
• At least 2 years of work experience in project and/or research management, research fund management, and/or research dissemination
• Demonstrated project management skills, including attention to operational and research detail, and ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects efficiently
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively and clearly with internal and external stakeholders using cogent, precise, non-technical language
• Ability to present information in a structured and insightful way, both in writing and orally
• Flexibility, self-motivation, willingness to learn, and a team-oriented attitude

Preferred

• Master’s degree in economics, political science, public policy, or related fields
• Knowledge of impact evaluation methodologies
• Knowledge of topics related to humanitarian assistance, climate and nature, growth, or conflict and fragility
• Experience writing evidence synthesis, research summaries, and policy briefs
• Proficiency in Excel and CRM software, like Salesforce

Reports to

Program Lead, SIEL

Deadline to Apply

February 14th, 2025

Location

Burkina Faso, Côte D’Ivore, Ghana, Malawi, Mali, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Uganda, US (New York City, Washington DC), Zambia

Application Instructions

Click here to apply now.

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.

IPA's Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)

As an organization, IPA is dedicated to improving the lives of the world's most vulnerable populations through evidence and policy. We also recognize how important it is for our staff to reflect the diversity of the places where we work and the communities we work with. As such, IPA is committed to hiring from a diverse pool of candidates, from a range of backgrounds, beliefs, experiences, and perspectives. We know that this makes our work stronger and more responsive to the challenges faced by those we work with and for and we encourage people from historically underrepresented groups to apply. Click here to learn more about IPA’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Innovations for Poverty Action is an affirmative action-equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected class. IPA will endeavor to make a reasonable accommodation to a qualified applicant with a disability unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. If you believe you require such assistance to complete this form or to participate in an interview, please contact us at jobs@poverty-action.org or via phone at 1-202-386-6200. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work to be performed by the specified position. The statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all possible duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary. Please note that IPA will never request any form of payment from an applicant. Applicants are encouraged to confirm the information listed above with IPA prior to releasing any extensive personal information to the organization. Please direct questions to jobs@poverty-action.org. Please note that only qualified applicants will be contacted by the hiring manager