Job Title: Research Associate

Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), is an international non-profit research organization. Based in New Haven, CT, with offices in Washington, D.C. and worldwide, IPA works with development partners and academic researchers to create and evaluate approaches to solving development problems, to communicate “what works” in development and to scale up successful projects in a variety of fields, including health, education, microfinance, governance and agriculture.

Job Summary: The Innovations for Poverty Action Research Associate will primarily oversee the impact evaluation Soft versus Hard Skills in Entrepreneurial Success: Evidence from Post-‐‐Secondary Entrepreneurship Training Interventions in Uganda. The goals of this project are to (1) understand the types of skills needed for successful entrepreneurship (2) whether those skills can be taught, and (3) the effectiveness of skills for females versus males. The position offers an opportunity to gain first-hand field management experience in an organization undertaking cutting-edge development research. The Principal Investigators for this project are Paul Gertler and Dana R. Carney (University of California, Berkeley).

Key Job Duties and Responsibilities:  

• Coordinating and supervising all data collection activities
• Formulating plans to operationalize field activities suggested by Principal Investigators
• Developing and piloting survey instruments
• Working in liaison with the principal investigator and the local partners running the program to ensure study protocols are followed
• Hiring, training, and managing teams of local enumerators that will conduct data collection among business owners, workers, and household members
• Planning, organizing and reporting on surveys in the field
• Managing the project data from collection to cleaned datasets
• Keenly tracking expenses and adhering to the project budget
• Writing regular progress reports

Qualifications, Skills and Experience needed for the job:  

• The ideal candidate should preferably hold a good Bachelor’s degree in economics, social sciences, public policy, or related fields; a Master’s degree in any of these fields is a strong plus
• Additional training in economics and statistics
• Excellent management and organizational skills
• Demonstrated proficiency in STATA and experience with data management, data cleaning, and regression analysis is a most
• Possess the ability to prioritize and manage multiple assignments simultaneously with minimal supervision
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Fluency in English is required
• Prior exposure and experience conducting field research in a developing country is strongly preferred.
• Previous experience with impact evaluations and/or randomized controlled trials is a strong plus

How to Apply for the job:

Please follow the application instructions below.  Any applications or CVs submitted outside this process will not be considered.  Note, only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview. Applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Complete the J-PAL/IPA common application. Please select the position(s) you are interested in applying for on the ‘Submit Application’ page. Include two letters of recommendation, statement of purpose (cover letter), CV, and transcripts. We will consider your application even if you are unable to obtain reference letters before the deadline, but please be advised that we will be requiring them should you be invited for an interview.

IPA is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer.

All persons shall have the opportunity to be considered for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, alienage or citizenship status, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

IPA will endeavor to make a reasonable accommodation to a qualified applicant with a disability unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. If you believe you require such assistance to complete this form or to participate in an interview, please contact us at jobs@poverty-action.org.

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