Position Summary

Since 2015, IPA Philippines has been working with the Department of Education in the Philippines to promote evidence-based policies and education programming. Through our strong partnership with their Planning Service - Policy Research and Development Division (PS-PRDD), which aids the Department in evidence-based decision-making, IPA will collaborate in developing an embedded evidence lab to design and run interventions that can be evaluated using available data to generate evidence that will inform policy decisions.

IPA Philippines is seeking a Research Associate (Embedded Lab) to collaborate closely with the Philippines Department of Education (DepEd) to strengthen its capacity to use evidence to improve its programs and policies. IPA is working with DepEd to set up a "Policy Learning Hub for Education," a unit within DepEd that will enable government partners to utilize available data to evaluate low-cost interventions that are most critical to DepEd’s needs while sustainably building the capacity of its staff in developing interventions and rigorous evaluations that respond to DepEd's priorities. 

The DepEd Embedded Lab RA will be embedded within DepEd PS-PRDD to directly coordinate the Lab's activities in close connection with DepEd counterparts. Within the first year, the RA will focus on working with DepEd counterparts do initial scoping work to determine available data for evaluation, Identify priority issues that need evidence for decision-making; together IPA researchers propose innovative solutions that can be implemented by DepEd; design rigorous pilot evaluation; support in monitoring the pilot; analyze data and present results of the first "proof-of-concept" evaluation of the Lab. 

The DepEd Embedded Lab RA will have a strong research background, and ideally with experience in research scoping, data mapping, and designing research to use evidence to inform policy and programming. We particularly encourage Filipino nationals to apply.

Responsibilities

The DepEd Embedded Lab RA will report to the Senior Policy and Project Development Associate. He/she will have a diverse set of responsibilities in the following areas:

• Manage day-to-day Embedded Lab activities, from planning to implementation, and monitoring 

• Embedded at least 1-2x a week at DepEd to closely work with the DepEd Lab counterparts

• Work with IPA researchers and DepEd Embedded Lab counterparts to identify priority areas for lab focus

• Conduct data mapping and examine administrative data of DepEd to identify what data can be used to assess the impact of interventions that address some of DepEd’s priorities

• Identify and co-design evidence-based interventions or solutions with the DepEd Lab counterparts, implementing office at DepEd, with technical guidance of IPA researchers

• Work with the IPA researchers and DepEd partners in designing a pilot evaluation plan for the selected priority program to generate evidence on the proposed innovation/intervention

• Provide technical support in monitoring the pilot implementation of the proposed innovation/intervention

• Support IPA researchers in analyzing data and presenting results of the first proof of concept evaluation of the DepEd Lab

• Provide technical support in writing the DepEd lab manual/model for the sustainability of operations

Qualifications

Required

• Local hire, must reside in the Philippines 

• At least 1-2 years of relevant work experience; experience in managing research projects is preferred 

• Undergraduate degree in economics, development, public administration, social science, or a closely related field 

• Exceptional ability to understand academic research studies and analyze bodies of research 

• Capacity to plan and be organized, have attention to detail, and can work individually and in a team 

• Experience with quantitative data collection and analysis 

• Strong professional writing skills 

• Strong client-facing and presentation skills 

• Fluency in English and Filipino 

• Passion for making data-driven decisions a reality in the development sector

Preferred

• Master's degree in economics, development, public administration, social science, or a closely related field 

• Experience with data mapping

• Experience working with government

• Familiarity with the education sector -Familiarity with impact evaluations and specifically with randomized controlled trials

• Ability to use Stata, R, or similar statistical software

Reports to

Senior Policy and Project Development Associate

Location

Philippines

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.

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.