Program Associate, Strategic Impact Evaluation And Learning

Job Summary

Innovations for Poverty Action is hiring a full-time Program Associate for Strategic Impact Evaluation and Learning across its West and East Africa country offices. Supporting a flagship FCDO-IPA-J-PAL learning partnership, the role manages competitive research funding calls, Salesforce grant tracking, matchmaking between FCDO teams and academics, and evidence dissemination. Applicants require a Bachelor's degree in Economics or Public Policy and 2+ years of relevant research/fund management experience.

Key Roles & Operational Responsibilities

1. Research Fund Coordination (40%)

• Competitive Call Administration: Coordinate regular competitive funding cycles, draft calls for proposals, manage proposal intake, and facilitate review board operations.
• Grant & Portfolio Tracking: Supervise grant development agreements, deliverable deadlines, donor reporting compliance, and maintain up-to-date Salesforce project database entries.
• Initial Proposal Filtering: Participate in the initial technical review and filtering of incoming research proposals submitted to the competitive fund board.

2. Project Development & Matchmaking (30%)

• FCDO Technical Support: Conduct outreach to FCDO teams, supporting proposal development across climate, growth, humanitarian, and conflict priority areas.
• Academic Matchmaking: Liaise with IPA, J-PAL, academic researchers, and FCDO offices to align impact evaluations with policy priorities.
• Internal Coordination: Work across IPA internal divisions including Grants, Legal, Finance, Research Support, and Global Operations to streamline project start-ups.

3. Communications, Policy & Capacity Strengthening (20%)

• Dissemination & Website Maintenance: Assist the SIEL Research Uptake Lead in preparing policy briefs, presenting at events, and updating project summaries on the IPA web platform.
• Training & Workshops: Support the Capacity Strengthening Lead in organizing training sessions that equip FCDO staff to leverage impact evaluations for Value for Money (VfM).

4. General Program Administration (10%)

• Financial Oversight: Assist with budget monitoring, expense tracking, and contract administration under donor guidelines.
• DEI Strategy Alignment: Support IPA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) metrics tracking and institutional goals.

Foundational Capabilities & Prerequisites

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Academic Background: Bachelor's degree in Economics, Political Science, Public Policy, International Development, or a related field (Master's degree preferred).
• Work Experience: Minimum of two (2) years of hands-on experience managing research projects, grant funds, or research dissemination networks.
• Key Technical & Soft Competencies:
  • Knowledge of impact evaluation methodologies (e.g., Randomized Control Trials, quasi-experimental designs) is highly advantageous.
  • Familiarity with sector topics: humanitarian assistance, climate & nature, economic growth, or conflict & fragility.
  • Demonstrated track record managing database systems like Salesforce and advanced Microsoft Excel functions.
  • Excellent written and oral English communication skills; proven ability to translate technical research into non-technical policy messaging.

Why Join Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA)?

• High-Impact Partnership: Direct involvement in shaping FCDO’s global policy decisions through rigorous, evidence-based research with J-PAL and leading academics.
• Global Research Network: Collaborate with over 600 academics across 52 countries, contributing to solutions that directly improve the lives of vulnerable populations.
• Flexible Regional Placement: Opportunity to work within various IPA country offices across West and East Africa (Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, or Uganda).

Skills Required:

• Economics / Statistics
• Political / Science / Ir