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: Advisor, Right-Fit Evidence Unit
Location: Nigeria Reports to: RFE Manager
Job Summary
IPA’s Right-Fit Evidence (RFE) Unit has supported dozens of partners across the development and humanitarian sectors to embed evidence and learning into their work.
The Advisor will play a key role in delivering evidence- and data-driven Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) advisory services to implementers and funders, helping them shape more effective programs and policies and transform how they use data for decision-making.
The Advisor will report to an RFE Manager and collaborate closely with peer Advisors, other RFE colleagues, and IPA colleagues across country offices.
Responsibilities Technical capability strengthening (70–85%):
Collaborate with partners and project teams to develop and refine their Theories of Change (ToCs) and MEL frameworks
Offer continuous, hands-on technical guidance, coaching, and training to partners on MEL design, data collection methods, survey instrument development, data management, analysis, and the use of evidence for decision-making
Prepare and present high-quality advisory and analytical deliverables that communicate findings and recommendations clearly and effectively, while maintaining high standards of quality
Conduct detailed quality checks on deliverables
Design and adapt workshop content and materials to meet partner needs; plan and facilitate workshops, training sessions, and collaborative learning events, and coordinate their logistics
Manage portions of project workplans and administration (such as documentation, note-taking, file storage, and work plan tracking).
Stakeholder engagement and partner management (5–10%):
Establish and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with key external stakeholders, including direct interaction with leadership staff from partner organizations
Serve as a strategic thought partner to foundations, NGOs, and governments, helping them unpack complex programmatic and strategic questions and identify actionable insights
Accompany and provide feedback on data collection design and implementation as needed, such as coaching partners on prototyping activities or designing action-oriented process evaluations
Contribute to knowledge exchange within RFE and across IPA by sharing insights, lessons, and good practices that strengthen the organization’s collective expertise.
Business development (5–10%):
Contribute to the development of new RFE engagements by participating in scoping meetings, designing methodologies, and crafting concept notes or proposal documents
Contribute to IPA’s impact potential through proactive reflection on lessons learned to suggest systematic improvements in current and future engagements
Contributing to RFE strategy and team development (5–10%): To support the growth and development of a diverse team of about 40 staff based in over ten countries around the world, the Advisor may:
Take a proactive role in knowledge management of RFE products
Support at least one goal within RFE’s annual strategic plan
Encourage a positive work environment rooted in IPA values.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, Statistics, Public Policy, International Development, Social Science, or a related field
2–5 years of relevant work experience, which includes, for example, work in MEL, data analysis and management, consulting and project management, and research and development
Superior analytical, quantitative, and conceptual thinking skills
Entrepreneurial self-starter mindset, highly adaptable and versatile, with strong multitasking skills
Passion for making data-driven decisions a reality in the international development sector
English fluency (verbal and written)
Ability and willingness to travel internationally (up to 20%)
Master’s degree in economics, statistics, public policy, international development, social science, or a related field (preferred)
Prior experience in consultancy or provision of similar professional services (preferred)
Expertise in international development and/or humanitarian work (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)
Familiarity with randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (preferred)
Professional proficiency in Spanish, French, and/or Portuguese (preferred)
Lived and/or work experience in Africa and/or in low- and middle-income countries (preferred).