Research Manager

Join our dynamic team as a Research Manager to lead innovative research on digital connectivity and gender equality in West Africa. Based in Nigeria, you’ll drive evidence-based solutions through rigorous research methods while building strong partnerships across the region. As a key member of the Nigeria Senior Management Team, you’ll shape research initiatives that combine local expertise with global insights to improve digital access for underserved communities.

You will work closely with senior country office management as well as the Global Research and Data Science and Right-Fit Evidence units to oversee a portfolio of projects on gender gaps in digital connectivity. You will play a crucial role in IPA’s OneIPA approach to project engagement through Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL), partnership development, coordination with a scientific advisory group, and management of novel impact evaluations to measure the effect of digital connectivity interventions. Your work will span both evaluation, data science, and implementation components and will likely span a range of topical areas that relate to digital connectivity, such as health, education, social protection, agriculture, and others. You will work closely with the country office and the scientific advisory group to IPA’s Digital Connectivity and Gender project to ensure effective support is being given to partnership engagement, donor reporting, and research management.

Responsibilities

50% Research Leadership, Team Management, and Technical Oversight

• Coordinate directly with the Scientific Advisory Group for the Gender and Digital-Connectivity project to ensure timely and accurate discussions about project milestones, deliverables, and research development are met.

• Lead 2-3 research studies focusing on digital connectivity and gender gaps

• Oversee research design, sampling strategies, and data management protocols

• Provide technical leadership in quantitative and qualitative research methods

30% Partnership Development and Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain relationships across West Africa with potential and active partner organizations in the Gender and Digital Connectivity project

• Coordinate with and contribute to the Right-Fit Evidence unit digital connectivity engagement strategies

• Guide partners in developing and strengthening Theories of Change (ToCs)

• Supervise research staff and manage project finances

• Ensure timely delivery of high-quality deliverables

• Monitor project budgets and donor compliance

• Manage project workplans and documentation

• Support staff transitions and maintain institutional knowledge

• Support partners in developing monitoring and evaluation frameworks

• Guide partners in data collection and analysis methods

20% IPA-Nigeria CO Management and Support

• Keep the Nigeria Country Director apprised of all developments on the projects in their portfolio, and serve as key link between the field office, project staff, and Principal Investigators

• Contribute to country office initiatives and policy development

• Promote best practices across projects

• Drive adoption of research results through various channels

• Identify opportunities for systematic improvements

• Support organizational learning and knowledge sharing

Qualifications

Required

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (Master’s preferred) in economics, statistics, public policy, international development, social science, or related fields. 

• At least 3 years of project management experience, with a focus on research management

• At least 3 years of experience conducting social science or economic field research

• Experience supervising data collection, teams of field workers, and survey design and implementation

• Understanding of West African digital ecosystem

• Experience with ICTD and digital inclusion initiatives in West Africa

• Strong written and oral communication skills and complete fluency in English

• Cultural sensitivity and demonstrated ability to work successfully with diverse constituencies

Preferred

• Expertise in international development and/or humanitarian work

• 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 

• Familiarity with randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and M&E frameworks

• Proficiency in data analysis tools (Stata, R, Python, Excel)

• Experience with data collection platforms (SurveyCTO or ODK)

• Strong understanding of research methodologies

• Strong budgeting and financial management skills

• Expertise in business development 

• Experience with policy engagement and advocacy

Reports to

Country Director, Nigeria

Deadline to Apply

February 20, 2025

Location

Abuja, Nigeria

About IPA 

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. 

Safeguarding at IPA

At Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), we are committed to creating a safe and respectful environment for all individuals,  particularly children and vulnerable adults. As IPA adheres to strict safeguarding principles, selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards. By joining IPA, you become part of a team dedicated to ethical conduct, social responsibility, and meaningful impact in the fight against global poverty. Together, we work to create a better world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive with dignity and respect.

IPA’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) 

As an organization, IPA is dedicated to improving the lives of the world’s most vulnerable populations through evidence and policy. We also recognize how important it is for our staff to reflect the diversity of the places where we work and the communities we work with. As such, IPA is committed to hiring from a diverse pool of candidates, from a range of backgrounds, beliefs, experiences, and perspectives. We know that this makes our work stronger and more responsive to the challenges faced by those we work with and for and we encourage people from historically underrepresented groups to apply. Click here to learn more about IPA’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Innovations for Poverty Action is an affirmative action-equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected class. 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 [email protected] or via phone at 1-202-386-6200. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work to be performed by the specified position. The statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all possible duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary. Please note that IPA will never request any form of payment from an applicant. Applicants are encouraged to confirm the information listed above with IPA prior to releasing any extensive personal information to the organization. Please direct questions to [email protected]. Please note that only qualified applicants will be contacted by the hiring manager