Manager, Right-fit Evidence

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. IPA is seeking multiple Managers to develop and manage an impactful portfolio of evidence- and learning-related advisory services. The Manager will inspire the effective use of evidence for learning among diverse implementing organizations, funders, and government agencies, and will join the RFE global management team. The Manager will supervise one to two Advisors, report to an Associate Director or Director of RFE, and work closely with peer Managers and IPA colleagues across country offices.

Responsibilities

Managing the execution of a portfolio of advisory engagements (70 - 80%)

• Serve as a key point of contact for a wide range of clients, including implementers, funders, and government agencies, often managing multiple project teams to develop tailor-made solutions for their evidence, learning, and M&E needs and guide their quality implementation; work may span multiple sectors, including education, technology, agriculture, and livelihoods
• Manage the design, content, and delivery of 2 - 3 engagements simultaneously, providing workshops and advisory services for funders, government stakeholders, and implementers to increase the use of data for improved decision-making (for example, theory of change and learning plan development workshops, mixed methods evaluation design, cost-effectiveness modeling, A/B testing, MEL system technical assistance, funder portfolio MEL, data use guidance, and evidence reviews)
• Manage RFE Advisor(s) on projects to develop and implement tailor-made solutions for clients' MEL needs
• Advise and support IPA policy and country office teams worldwide on their own technical assistance engagements, often with government partners
• Manage project finances, ensuring high-quality outputs are delivered at or under budget

New business development and external relationship management (10%)

• Contribute key ideas to match partner needs for new potential engagements in collaboration with IPA Research, Sector, and Policy teams
• Coordinate proposal development processes, often managing Advisors on content preparation
• Interface with active or potential funders, occasionally representing RFE and IPA at conferences and other events
• Support RFE thought leadership and global influence through the production and dissemination of public goods

IPA and Right-Fit Evidence Unit strategy and team development (5 - 10%)

• Take a proactive role in the innovation and implementation of various products and services, likely managing the ongoing development of one key RFE product
• Manage the performance of one to two high-capacity 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 (specific assignments based on skills and interest)
• Encourage a positive work environment rooted in IPA values

Qualifications

• Master's degree in international public policy, (development) economics, or a related field, with coursework in quantitative methods; MBAs also welcome
• 4+ years of relevant work experience, including experience in M&E (public sector), education policy or program management (public, non-profit, or private sectors), organizational performance, R&D, or operational research (private sector), or management consulting and other professional services
• Exposure to the design and management of evidence, learning, monitoring, and evaluation strategies and systems
• Superior analytical, quantitative, and conceptual thinking skills
• Project and people management experience, with demonstrated associated skills
• Demonstrated ability to coach and train others on technical matters
• 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
• Relevant work experience in low- and middle-income countries
• Familiarity with global debates around M&E and the use of evidence for decision-making
• 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%)
• Prior experience in consultancy or provision of similar professional services (preferred)
• Expertise in multiple sectors of international development and/or humanitarian work, particularly education, health, and technology (preferred)
• Experience working in philanthropy and/or with government stakeholders (preferred)
• Experience producing, publishing, and/or disseminating public goods for policy influence and advocacy (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)
• Expertise in specific areas of monitoring, evaluation, and learning (preferred)
• Familiarity with M&E technology and exposure to SurveyCTO, ODK, or similar data collection software (preferred)
• Experience with qualitative data collection and analysis (preferred)
• Experience leading project or program evaluations (preferred)
• Familiarity with randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (preferred)
• Professional proficiency in Spanish, French, and/or Portuguese (preferred)
• Lived experience in Africa and/or in low- and middle-income countries (preferred)