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

Survey Coordinator, Education

• Reports to: Research Manager
• Location:  Accra, Ghana
• Deadline to apply: 4^th September 2016
• Desired start date: late September 2016
• Length of commitment: 2 years
• Job Code: FOG-SCE-16082016

IPA seeks a qualified applicant for the position of Survey Coordinator to be based in Accra with frequent travel to remote field locations within Southern Ghana.

Position Summary
The Survey Coordinator will work closely with a team of Research Associates and Research Managers to provide research support to ongoing and new projects. This position is expected to have a particular focus on education studies, though it will also include some involvement in studies related to other sectors. The position provides an excellent opportunity to gain extensive exposure to a wide area of high-quality research projects, and to have significant management responsibility in a young and vibrant organization undertaking cutting‐edge development research.

Job Description
The main responsibility of the Survey Coordinator is to promote and improve methods and systems that ensure top quality data research protocols, collect and share best practices from IPA offices worldwide, maintain IPA Ghana databases and act as a resource person for IPA Ghana project teams.

In particular the Survey Coordinator will:

1. Support project teams in field work planning and management
   • Ensure project teams have effective and efficient field work plans, with clear timelines, data protection measures, data flow systems, and monitoring structures;
   • Support project teams plan the size and structure of their field teams and assist with short term staff recruitment;
   • Support project teams with establishing appropriate back checking, editing and tracking systems;
   • Conduct pilot survey exercises, provide feedback on field operations and survey instruments, and refine and finalize survey instruments in collaboration with the Principal Investigators and project heads;
   • Develop surveyor training plans together with project teams, prepare training materials and (co-) lead surveyor trainings;
   • Train project teams on survey planning and management, electronic data collection, questionnaire design, and other relevant topics;
   • Together with the Operations support team, ensure that project teams adhere to IPA Ghana’s HR and  safety and security protocols during field work;
   • Provide project management support to project teams during busy periods;
2. Support adherence to research protocols
   • Ensure all project staff understand IPA research protocols and serve as a resource person on these research protocols for IPA Ghana project teams;
   • Monitor IPA Ghana project field activities, making sure field staff know and adhere to IPA protocols;
   • Develop and refine systems and resources that ensure high quality data collection, and adherence to the project plans and research design;
   • Maintain knowledge of best practices in survey-based data collection internationally and help implement them in IPA Ghana;
   • Provide quality control before and during the data collection process;
   • Review, plan, and support project activities so that all ethical aspects of data collection are addressed;
3. Knowledge management and capacity building of project staff
   • Ensure project teams evaluate field staff performance and co-manage the IPA Ghana Surveyor database and other useful data collection resources;
   • Provide relevant inputs on local context during project development and promote cross project learning;
   • Regularly communicate with the Research Managers, other Survey Coordinators both in Ghana and other IPA offices, and the IPA Ghana management team;
   • On-board all new staff on research protocols and field work management;
   • Train staff formally and informally on data quality, questionnaire design, etc.; and
   • Perform other work related duties that may be assigned.

This position is expected to be based in Accra with very frequent travel in the country. The Survey Coordinator will report to the Research Manager, also based in Accra.

Required Skills or Experience

• A Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Statistics or a related field. A Master’s degree is a plus.
• Fluency in written and verbal communication in English;
• Fluency in Twi is required. Knowledge in other Southern Ghana languages strongly preferred. Ability to write in a local language is preferred.
• At least three years of experience in designing and managing data collection activities, and managing field teams.
• Extensive knowledge of quantitative data collection and a passion for learning best practices.
• Experience in qualitative data collection is a plus.
• Strong computer skills including proficiency in MS Word, MS Excel and email;
• Quantitative data processing and analysis skills. Knowledge of STATA is preferred;
• Experience with Computer Assisted data collection is strongly preferred;
• Experience with data collection in schools is required; knowledge of conducting child learning assessments is preferred.

IPA is looking for an individual who possesses:

• The ability to outline project objectives and to plan work in a structured and systematic manner in alignment with stated objectives, assessing progress and making changes to plans to reflect changing timelines and field realities;
• Curiosity and willingness to learn;
• The ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences including the Principal Investigators, the IPA Ghana management team, project teams and field staff;
• Excellent problem solving and analytical skills and a strong attention to detail;
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in a diverse team;
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks, work under pressure and meet deadlines, often with limited supervision;
• Strong organizational skills;
• Familiarity with and prior experience working in several parts of the country is preferred;
• Ability to take initiative, to be innovative, and to work effectively as part of a team; and
• Interest in travelling and passion for poverty related research.