Company Profile

Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) is a United States-based non-profit organization dedicated to discovering, and promoting effective solutions to global poverty problems. IPA designs, rigorously evaluate and refines these solutions and their applications together with decision-makers to ensure that the evidence created is used to  improve opportunities for the world’s poor.

Job Description

Research Coordinator, Agriculture and Rural Development
Reports to: Deputy Country Director
Location:  Tamale, Northern Region 
Deadline to apply: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis 
Desired start date: As soon as possible
Length of commitment: 2 years renewable
Job Code: RC-AGRD-2412017
    

Position Summary
IPA seeks a Research Coordinator to oversee a portfolio of 2 (sometimes up to 3) research projects most of which will be related to Agriculture and Rural Development. If you are committed to solving poverty problems through research, have strong quantitative skills, are interested in Agriculture and Rural Development, and would like to work in a dynamic, multi-cultural and learning-oriented culture, then you may be the Research Coordinator that we are looking for.

Job Description

The Research Coordinator will supervise and provide technical support to two or three research projects, including, but not limited to the Disseminating Innovative Resources and Technologies to Smallholders (DIRTS) project. Lead Principal Investigators on these studies include Dean Karlan and Christopher Udry of Yale University. Each of which will be staffed with a team of one or more permanent staff. Most of these research projects are expected to relate to agricultural technology adoption, value chains, nutrition, and rural livelihoods though the research coordinator might also get involved with other sectors such as public health, education or financial inclusion.

The Research Coordinator will work closely with the academic researchers and other field staff to perform a variety of tasks including: overseeing several other project staff, refining and testing survey instruments, conducting qualitative research, checking and analyzing in-coming data, cleaning data and assisting in preliminary analysis, assisting in the writing of project reports, coordinating with local partners running the programs being evaluated. The research coordinator will also contribute to the development of new research projects and designs, policy outreach, and internal capacity building.

This position will be based in Tamale, Ghana.

Responsibilities

• Manage the research projects in the RC’s portfolio and work with Principal Investigators to ensure adherence to research design, sample selection, data collection, data management and general research protocols, as well as overall project objectives timelines;
• Oversee the planning and preparation of data collection activities, provide feedback on field operations and survey instruments, provide quality control during the data collection and cleaning processes, and assist in preparing preliminary analysis;
• Travel to the field to discuss impact evaluations with local partners;
• Directly supervise 2 to 5 permanent research staff, with an eye on their professional growth;
• Keep the Deputy Country Director apprised of all developments on the projects within their portfolio, and serve as a key link between the field office, project staff, and Principal Investigators;
• Help to develop and implement capacity building efforts in rigorous evaluation to local stakeholders and funders;
• Work with field office staff to ensure sound human resource and operational management of projects;
• Oversee project financial management, including monitoring of project budgets, and ensuring smooth adherence of projects to IPA financial systems;
• Oversee documentation and reporting activities for the projects in the portfolio;
• Take part in regular meetings with local partners and other partners to ensure success of programmatic activities; and
• Provide support to new project development activities, policy outreach and internal capacity building, under the guidance of the Research Manager, Deputy Country Director and Country Director

Required Skills or Experience

• Master's degree in economics, social sciences, public policy, or related fields. Bachelor’s degree only may be considered if compensated by additional relevant experience.
• At least 2 years of relevant experience, including experience managing field research, preferably including quantitative surveys; managing teams; and managing finances;
• Flexible, self-motivating, able to manage multiple tasks efficiently, and team player.
• Excellent management and organizational skills;
• Strong quantitative skills, experience with data management/cleaning/analysis;
• Advanced knowledge of Stata is preferred;
• Experience working closely with local stakeholders and implementers, collaborating and communicating effectively with a wide range of professionals and cultures
• Cultural sensitivity and demonstrated ability to work successfully with diverse constituencies required;
• Strong written and oral communication skills and complete fluency in English is required;
• Familiarity with randomized controlled trials preferred;
• Experience living in a developing country is preferred;
• Experience in/knowledge of the agriculture sector is a strong plus.

We are looking for a commitment period of two years for this position.