Summary

The position offers an opportunity to gain first-hand experience in an organization undertaking cutting-edge development Research and policy, as well as the opportunity to work in close collaboration with experienced academics and policy partners. The Senior Research and Policy Associate will lead the African-led Education Research Institutions and organizations initiative on Resilience and Social Emotional Learning (RSEL) in Uganda. In particular, the SRPA will advance a collaborative agenda for capacity building, matchmaking and fostering collaborative roadmap for empowering these institutions to conduct research, access funding, build research networks, mentorship and coaching.

Responsibilities 

• Seek, contact, and coordinate with public and private partners to develop a collaborative agenda for capacity building of the selected African-led education research institutions
• Lead the design/implementation process of a work plan to implement the initiative
• Lead the creation of a country specific database of African research institutions and organizations, think tanks focused on RSEL in Uganda
• Coordinate workshops with relevant Government Ministries and invite African led education researchers to provide evidence-informed contributions to policy making processes.
• Lead the Organization capacity assessment exercise for selected African-led education research institutions.
• Support the development of a costed Organizational Capacity Development Plan, for selected African led education research institutions.
• Regularly communicate updates to the Senior Research and Policy Manager

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in education, economics, statistics, public policy, or other quantitative social science disciplines. Masters Degree preferred.
• Strong quantitative skills, including technical understanding of econometrics, psychometrics, and / or data science strongly preferred
• Experience in the public sector or working closely with the Government, Universities or Other Research Institutions
• Excellent management and organizational skills,
• Ability to work independently and to carry out assignments to completion within parameters of instructions given, prescribed routines, and standard accepted practices
• Must be able to work under pressure, independently and in a team, and meet deadlines, flexibility, self-motivation, and pro-activity highly valued,
• Ability to find quick and effective solutions to unforeseen circumstances,
• Fluency and excellent communication skills in English

Preferred additional qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to coach and train others in statistics, Survey Programming, data cleaning and analysis
• Background in development training programs
• Experience working with government and Universities
• Familiarity with Randomized Evaluations

Application Instructions 

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 on 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 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.

Disclaimers

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.