Summary

Innovations for Poverty Action’s Right-Fit Evidence (RFE) Unit is seeking a Senior Research Associate to join our growing Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) advisory practice, and lead the qualitative data collection and analysis for an evaluation of a systems change initiative in the early childhood development sector. The position will be based in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The Senior Research Associate will work on an engagement where IPA will be the learning and evaluation partner for a multi-partner initiative aimed at developing and embedding whole child development practices for children in adversity into government systems in Bangladesh.

The position will be based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The position will report to an Advisor in the RFE team based in Dhaka.

We encourage those with the following profiles to apply as these skills and interests are a particularly strong fit:

• Research professionals in international development who enjoy working closely with practitioners and are interested in broadening their scope to all the types of data and evidence that can inform decisions
• M&E practitioners who are interested in broadening their scope and impact on the field by advising multiple organizations on state-of-the-art M&E practices
• Management consultants with some international development experience who would be excited by a career shift to an entrepreneurial and impact-focused environment leveraging their skillset.

Irrespective of your background, RFE positions tend to be great fits for anyone with a growth-oriented mindset.

Responsibilities 

Under the guidance of a Senior Manager and Advisor, and in partnership with IPA’s Bangladesh team and sometimes other global teams, you will work on an engagement where IPA is the learning and evaluation partner for a multi-partner initiative to develop and embed whole child development (WCD) practices into Bangladesh government systems. You will work closely with partners to develop tailor-made solutions for their MEL needs, and support a process evaluation of their contribution to systems change in Bangladesh. This involves qualitative (and sometimes quantitative) data collection from partner staff, government officials, and WCD frontline delivery stakeholders. This includes the following responsibilities:

• Qualitative Research design and analysis: Take part in the design, implementation and analysis of qualitative (and sometimes quantitative) data collection and other evaluative work
• Stakeholder communication: Support communication and partnership with key stakeholders, including working with M&E staff from partner organizations to ensure transmission of data required for our evaluation and collected by them
• Workshop design and implementation: Help to facilitate various kinds of external MEL-related workshops
• Professional deliverables: Assist with the preparation and presentation of various types of advisory and analytical deliverables, maintaining the highest standards of communication efficiency

Qualifications 

• Language: Fluency in English and Bangla.
• Bachelor’s degree in economics, public policy, social science, or a related field
• 2-5 years of relevant work experience, including experience in M&E (public sector), organizational performance/R&D/operational research (private sector), or experience in management consulting/other professional services
• Superior analytical and conceptual thinking skills
• Strong experience with qualitative data collection and analysis
• Experience with quantitative data collection and analysis
• Familiarity with statistics and data analysis (including Excel)
• Strong client-facing and presentation skills. Ability to present information in a structured and insightful way, both in writing and orally.
• 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 additional qualifications

• Master’s degree in economics, public policy, social science, or a related field
• Familiarity with the concepts surrounding the Theory of Change and the core tools of M&E (both quantitative and qualitative research methods)
• Ability to use nvivo or similar qualitative analysis software
• Familiarity with SurveyCTO, Open Data Kit or similar survey software

Application Instructions 

Complete the J-PAL/IPA common application. After completing a brief registration, choose the APPROPRIATE CATEGORY job category, then select “Senior Research Associate, Right-Fit Evidence ”. Applications require you to include a statement of purpose (cover letter) and CV.

Given the volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.

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.