Senior Manager, Right Fit Evidence at Innovations for Poverty Action (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.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Senior Manager, Right Fit Evidence

Requisition ID: 1796
Location: Nigeria

Job Summary

• The (Senior) Manager, Right-Fit Evidence Unit will develop and manage the delivery of an impactful portfolio of evidence- and learning-related advisory services, inspiring the effective use of evidence and learning for a diverse set of implementing organizations, funders, and government agencies across many sectors in development and humanitarian contexts.
• The Manager will serve as a key point of contact for clients, managing project teams to deliver tailor-made MEL and evidence solutions, and will contribute to the strategic development of the RFE global management team.
• The role manages 1-2 Advisors and reports primarily to an Associate Director or Director of RFE, working closely with peer RFE Managers and the broader IPA network.
• This position is open to candidates based in Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire, Kenya, Nigeria, or Uganda; strong preference will be given to candidates with existing permanent work authorization in their preferred country.

Responsibilities
Manage the execution of a portfolio of impactful advisory engagements (70-80%):

• Serve as the key point of contact for a wide range of clients — including implementers, funders, and government agencies — managing multiple project teams to develop tailor-made solutions for their evidence, learning, and M&E needs and guide quality implementation across multiple sectors (education, technology, agriculture, social protection, livelihoods, and others).
• Manage the design, content, and delivery of 2-3 engagements simultaneously, providing workshops and advisory services to increase improved use of data for decision-making. Examples include theory of change and learning plan development, mixed-methods evaluation design, cost-effectiveness modeling, MEL system technical assistance, data use guidance, and evidence reviews.
• Manage RFE Advisors on projects to develop and implement tailor-made solutions for clients' MEL needs.
• Advise and support IPA policy and country office teams worldwide on their own technical assistance engagements, often working with government partners.
• Manage project finances, ensuring high-quality outputs are delivered at or under budget.

Contribute to new business development and external relationship management (10-20%):

• Contribute ideas to match partner needs for new potential engagements, in collaboration with IPA Research, Sector, and Policy teams; work could include theory of change, evaluation design, cost-effectiveness modeling, MEL system support, data use guidance, and evidence reviews.
• Coordinate proposal development processes, often managing Advisors on content preparation; independently lead approach ideas and external facilitation for proposals that fit existing RFE products, and contribute to the key orientations of innovative proposals.
• Interface with active or potential funders, occasionally representing RFE and IPA at conferences and other events.
• Take a proactive role in the innovation and implementation of various RFE products and services.

Contribute to IPA and Right-Fit Evidence Unit strategy and team development (5-10%):

• Support RFE thought leadership and global influence through the production and dissemination of public goods, likely managing the ongoing development of one key RFE product.
• Manage the performance of 1-2 Advisors, including professional development and support for sustainability, workload, and well-being.
• Strengthen internal management systems.
• Manage at least one goal within RFE's annual strategic plan, with specific assignments based on skills and interest.
• Encourage a positive work environment rooted in IPA values.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in International Public Policy, Development Economics, or a related field, with coursework in quantitative methods; MBAs also welcome.
• 4+ years of relevant work experience, including experience in management consulting or other professional services, and/or M&E, policy, or program management in public, non-profit, or private sectors; or organizational performance, R&D, or operational research.
• Exposure to the design and management of evidence, learning, monitoring, and evaluation strategies and systems.
• Experience with qualitative data collection and analysis.
• Experience leading project or program evaluations.
• Project and people management experience with demonstrated associated skillsets.
• Superior analytical, quantitative, and conceptual thinking skills.
• Demonstrated ability to coach and train others on technical matters.
• Strong stakeholder and client-facing communication skills, with the ability to present information in a structured and insightful way both verbally and in writing.
• Familiarity with global debates around M&E and the use of evidence for decision-making.
• Entrepreneurial self-starter mindset; highly adaptable and versatile, with strong multi-tasking skills.
• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time.
• Passion for making data-driven decision-making a reality in the development sector.
• English fluency required (verbal and written).
• Prior experience in consultancy or similar professional services. (preferred)
• Expertise in multiple sectors of international development and/or humanitarian work, particularly education. (preferred)
• Experience working in philanthropy and/or with (I)NGOs. (preferred)
• Experience producing, publishing, and/or disseminating public goods for policy influence and advocacy. (preferred)
• Appreciation for the strengths and limitations of various data collection and evaluation methods, and the ability to match the appropriate method(s) to a variety of circumstances. (preferred)
• Expertise in specific areas of monitoring, evaluation, and learning. (preferred)
• Familiarity with M&E technology and exposure to SurveyCTO, ODK, or similar data collection software. (preferred)
• Familiarity with randomized controlled trials (RCTs). (preferred)
• Working knowledge of French and/or Spanish. (preferred)
• Lived experience in Africa and/or in low- and middle-income countries. (preferred)
• Relevant work experience in low- and middle-income countries (preferred).

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online