Research Associate at Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA)

IPA Nigeria is seeking a highly motivated and qualified individual with outstanding project management, data analysis, people management, and communication skills as a Research Associate to support the implementation of a rigorous impact evaluation. The Research Associate position is a unique opportunity to combine significant project management experience with involvement in cutting-edge development research on a dynamic and passionate IPA Nigeria team.

As an ideal candidate, you not only have a solid technical foundation in impact evaluation methodology, but you can also independently guide and direct the activities that happen both upstream and downstream of any rigorous, randomized evaluation. You enjoy contributing to high-performing teams that drive the production of the highest quality research for our clients and partners. You excel in solving problems using clear, strategic, and creative thinking. You have a strong social acumen and are excited about the opportunity to broaden, deepen, and manage meaningful relationships with high-level clients and partners across the public, academic, non-governmental, and multilateral sectors.

Responsibilities 

The Research Associate will perform a variety of tasks related to managing day-to-day research activities, from planning to implementation, and monitoring quality. These include, but are not limited to:

• Coordinating research and implementation efforts with all relevant stakeholders;
• Recruiting, training, and supervising field-based teams;
• Refining and piloting survey questionnaires;
• Supervising and monitoring data collection to ensure high-quality of the data;
• Supporting data quality checks and fixing issues with data collected during data collection;
• Assisting in data cleaning and preliminary analysis and ensuring ready access to all data for researchers and/or supervisors;
• Documenting in detail all activities related to the project;
• Maintaining accurate records of interviews, safeguarding the confidentiality of subjects, as necessary;
• Preparing high-quality progress and results reports to Principal Investigators (PI), research partners, and funding agencies, and sharing them timely;
• Providing timely updates and responses to partner organizations, and participating in meetings with key stakeholders;
• Providing training and supervision for research project staff (Field Manager);
• Managing project finances including budgeting, expense tracking, and financial reporting;
• Ensuring that all team members follow necessary protocols and procedures;
• Handling day to day PI and partner communications;
• Any other task as assigned by Country Director;
• Keep the Country Director apprised of all developments in the project and serve as the key link between the field staff, research team, and Principal Investigators.
• Support the country office in project and policy development as needed

Qualifications 

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in economics, public policy, or other quantitative social science disciplines (Master’s degree preferred);
• Quantitative Skills: Strong technical understanding of economics and econometrics required. Demonstrated proficiency in Stata, and experience with data management, data cleaning, and regression analysis
• A minimum of 2-year of work experience is required. Experience managing field staff in developing countries strongly preferred;
• Ability to collaborate among geographically and culturally diverse teams to drive common goals;
• Interculturally-versed to build capacity, work with, and live in Nigeria;
• Excellent management and organizational skills;
• Ability to successfully complete assigned tasks and meeting deadlines, required;
• Communication Skills: Attention to detail and advanced writing and presentation skills are required;
• Language: English fluency required;

Application Instructions 

Complete the J-PAL/IPA common application. After completing a brief registration, choose the Research job category, then select “Research Associate”. 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.