Research and Project Development Associate
Position Summary
The Research and Project Development Associate will play a key role in the growth of new business for IPA Nigeria. They will work closely with the Research & Project Development Manager to grow IPA Nigeria’s project portfolio by developing new projects with researchers and partner organizations and preparing proposals for funding opportunities as they arise. Additionally, they will work closely with project teams, Principal Investigators (PIs), and implementing partners on research projects, gaining hands-on research and management experience.
Responsibilities
50%
- Working with Research & Project Development Manager and other Project Development Staff to identify key research questions, develop new research studies in collaboration with principal investigators and partner organizations.
- Preparing technical and financial proposals in response to funding opportunities, at times under tight deadlines.
- Support outreach to new researchers, partner organizations, and funders to share IPA’s work and explore potential opportunities for collaboration.
- Assist in managing relationships with current/past researchers and partners with the aim of developing new projects and expanding existing projects.
- Coordinating record-keeping of proposals through updating of Salesforce, Project Development folders and other relevant systems.
50%
- Actively liaise and communicate with the implementation partner and Principal Investigators (PIs) to ensure smooth project delivery.
- Design and pilot test survey instruments, qualitative interview guides, and data collection strategies, in collaboration with PIs and partners.
- Program survey instruments in SurveyCTO, following programming best practices.
- Hire, train and manage field data collection teams, including enumerators, field coordinators and field managers.
- Accompany the field teams during quantitative and qualitative data collection activities, to ensure compliance with research protocols and troubleshoot challenges. Expect to spend at least 50% of time in the study sites during data collection periods.
- Conduct data quality checks on a daily basis, communicate data quality issues with the field team, make sure necessary actions are taken to address these issues in a timely manner.
- Clean data on an ongoing basis.
- Conduct data analysis and produce dissemination materials such as presentations, final reports, evidence briefs.
- Regularly communicate project updates to the Research and Project Development Manager.
Qualifications
Required
Bachelor’s degree in economics, public policy, social science, or a related field; graduate degree strongly preferred.
2-5 years of relevant work experience, including experience in economics research, impact evaluations, international development
Experience with quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis
Experience managing field data collection.
Experience with proposal writing and budget development
Strong professional writing skills
Strong client-facing and presentation skills
Excellent computer proficiency (MS Office – Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
Self-starter, entrepreneurial mindset, versatility, and ability to learn at a fast pace.
Passion for making data-driven decisions a reality in the international development sector.
Preferred
- Experience with randomized controlled trials and/or applied statistics
- Intermediate Stata competency
- Intermediate Survey CTO/ODK programming skills
Reports to
Research and Project Development Manager
Deadline to Apply
December 9th, 2024
Location
Abuja, Nigeria
Application Instructions
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