Vacancy title:
Research Coordinator

Jobs at:
Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA)

Deadline of this Job:
Open

Duty Station:
Kigoma, Tanzania

JOB DETAILS:
Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) aim to establish a research and learning hub in Nyarugusu and Mtendeli refugee camps in Tanzania. This hub will support adaptive project design, two-three pilot studies, and one or more large scale, quantitative impact evaluation. IPA will establish a research team to both support current IRC research priorities as well a support the development and launch of new studies. IPA and the IRC will collaborate to bring in researchers, identify key research questions, carry out studies and adaptive program design, and disseminate results.

Innovations for Poverty Action seeks a Research Coordinator to manage the initial studies and to support the development of the research and learning hub. The Research Coordinator will need to possess strong qualitative research skills and the ability to respond quickly and adapt planning and programming based on rapidly emerging information in a dynamic environment. Comfort with iteration and ambiguity will be essential for success. The project will be led by multiple researchers and Rachel Steinacher (Innovations for Poverty Action).

The Research Coordinator will work closely with the IPA-Tanzania Research Manager, Principal Investigators, staff from the IRC, and other IPA-Tanzania country office. The position offers an opportunity to gain first-hand field management experience in an organization undertaking cutting-edge development research and design work. The work will develop your analytical and management skills and require your full commitment in a challenging environment. This position will likely be based in Kigoma and requires frequent travel to the field sites.

Responsibilities

The Research Coordinator will perform a variety of tasks including, but not limited to:

• Leading the implementation of the two-three pilot studies, and larger impact evaluation, including survey coordination and administration
  
• Managing budgets, timelines, contract worker payroll, and procurement
  
• Managing day-to-day relationship between IPA and the IRC
  
• Measuring and enforcing adherence to data quality protocols, including auditing enumerators, monitoring data collection, and conducting data quality audits;
  
• Developing reports and deliverables for donors
  
• Managing relationships with key stakeholders
  
• Writing reports detailing research findings and proposed interventions;
  
• Performing related duties as assigned by supervisor; and
  
• Maintaining compliance with IPA policies and procedures
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in economics, international development, public policy or related fields and 3+ years of relevant experience or Master's Degree and 1+ years of relevant experience
  
• Excellent project management and organizational skills; meticulous attention to detail
  
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English; communication skills in KiSwahili an advantage
  
• A strong understanding of research methods and prior training/experience in conducting both qualitative and quantitative research
  
• Proficiency in Stata or similar data analysis software and MS Office
  
• Creativity and intellectual curiosity in experimental methods; Ability to find quick and effective solutions to unforeseen circumstances
  
• Flexible, independent, self-motivating, ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently and work under pressure
  
• Ability to work in a diverse, multi-cultural environment

Job application procedure
Complete the J-PAL/IPA common application on https://apply.povertyactionlab.org/    After completing a brief registration, choose the Research job category, then select “Research Coordinator, Tanzania”. Most applications for research positions require you to include at minimum two letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose (cover letter), CV, and transcripts.

Note that you are able to submit your application before your references complete their recommendation letters; however, you must include their contact information before submitting your application.

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 575 leading academics to conduct over 650 evaluations in 51 countries. This research has informed hundreds of successful programs that now impact millions of individuals worldwide.