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Senior Manager, Right Fit Evidence

Innovations For Poverty Action (Ipa)

full time Nairobi Posted 2 days ago

Qualifications

  • Master's degree in international public policy, development economics, or related field, with coursework in quantitative methods; MBAs also welcome.

  • 5+ years of relevant work experience, including in M&E (public sector), education policy or program management, organizational performance/R&D/operational research (private sector), or management consulting/professional services.

  • Expertise in specific areas of monitoring, evaluation, and learning.

  • Experience designing and managing evidence, learning, monitoring, and evaluation strategies and systems.

  • Experience leading quantitative project or program evaluations.

  • Superior analytical and conceptual thinking skills.

  • Project and people management experience.

  • Strong stakeholder management and client-facing communication skills, with the ability to present information in a structured and insightful way, both verbally and in writing.

  • Entrepreneurial self-starter mindset; highly adaptable and versatile with strong multitasking skills.

  • Passion for making data-driven decision-making a reality in the development sector.

  • Familiarity with M&E technology including SurveyCTO, ODK, or similar data collection software.

  • Familiarity with randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and associated skillsets. (preferred)

  • Working knowledge of French. (preferred)

  • Lived experience in Africa and/or in low- and middle-income countries. (preferred)

  • Prior experience in consultancy or similar professional services. (preferred)

  • Expertise in international development and/or humanitarian work. (preferred)

Managing Strategic Project Delivery and Advisory Engagements (70–75%)**

  • Serve as the primary 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.

  • Lead the design, content, and delivery of the large multi-partner, multi-country FCDO SCALE project; serve as the project management function working with a large bilateral funder and internal team.

  • Provide technical leadership for the design and implementation of right-fit MEL activities to inform scaling decisions and address evidence gaps, working collaboratively with funders, government stakeholders, and implementers.

  • Oversee MEL and research conducted through IPA country offices and external partners.

  • Manage project finances, ensuring high-quality outputs are delivered at or under budget.

  • Over time, manage additional RFE engagements across multiple sectors.

Contributing 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, Technical, Sector, and Policy teams; work could 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.

  • Coordinate proposal development processes, often managing Advisors on content preparation.

  • Interface with active or potential funders and occasionally represent RFE and IPA at conferences and other events.

Contributing to IPA and RFE Strategy and Team Development (10–15%)**

  • 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 2–3 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 (assignments based on skills and interest).

  • Encourage a positive work environment rooted in IPA values, with an emphasis on diversity, equity, inclusion, and well-being.

  • Take a proactive role in the innovation and implementation of RFE products and services.