Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to discovering and promoting effective solutions to global poverty problems. In close partnership with decision makers—the policymakers, practitioners, investors, and donors working with the poor around the world—IPA designs and evaluates potential solutions to poverty problems.
Advisors play a key role in helping partners strengthen their use of evidence and data for decision making. The role offers the chance to grow professionally within IPA through mentorship, feedback, and stretch opportunities that broaden your experience and amplify your impact.
Key Responsibilities and Duties
Strengthening MEL Capabilities:
- Collaborate with partners and project teams to develop and refine Theories of Change (ToCs) and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) frameworks.
- Provide hands-on technical guidance, coaching, and training on MEL design, data collection, survey development, analysis, and the use of evidence for decision-making.
- Prepare and present high-quality analytical and advisory deliverables that communicate findings and recommendations clearly and effectively.
- Conduct quality reviews of deliverables and contribute to project management tasks such as documentation, note-taking, and work plan tracking.
- Design and adapt workshop content and materials to meet partner needs.
- Plan and facilitate workshops, training sessions, and collaborative learning events.
- Coordinate logistical aspects of project activities and workshops.
Strategic Advisory and Learning Support:
- Serve as a strategic thought partner to foundations, NGOs, governments, and businesses, helping them unpack complex programmatic and strategic questions and identify actionable insights.
Stakeholder Engagement:
- Build strong, trust-based relationships with partners and internal teams to ensure alignment, learning, and shared success across engagements.
- Maintain close, collaborative relationships with key external stakeholders, including direct engagement with staff from partner organizations.
- Work effectively across IPA teams, country offices, policy, and research, to promote coordination and shared learning.
- Contribute to knowledge exchange within RFE and across IPA by sharing insights, lessons, and good practices that strengthen the organization’s collective expertise.
Business Development:
- Contribute to the development of new RFE engagements by participating in scoping meetings, designing methodologies, and crafting concept notes or proposal documents.
- Contribute to IPA impact potential through proactive reflection on lessons learned to suggest systematic improvements in current and future engagements.
RFE Strategy and Team Development (To support the growth and development of our diverse team of over 30 staff):
- Take a proactive role in knowledge management of RFE products.
- Support at least one goal within RFE's annual strategic plan.
- Encourage a positive work environment rooted in IPA values.
Qualifications
There are several different profiles that could fit this position well. Here are some examples, but these are not exhaustive:
- Consulting professionals with some international development experience who would be excited to apply their skillset in an entrepreneurial and impact-focused environment.
- Evaluators and M&E practitioners who are passionate about using data for learning and action and are interested in using their expertise for client-focused advisory services.
- International development research management professionals who enjoy working closely with funders and practitioners and who would like to expand their experience and skills to all types of data and evidence that can inform decision-making.
Required Qualifications:
- A Bachelor’s degree in economics, statistics, public policy, international development, social science, or related fields.
- 2-5 years of relevant work experience, which includes, for example, work in MEL, data analysis and management, consulting and project management, and research and development.
- Superior analytical, quantitative, and conceptual thinking skills.
- Entrepreneurial self-starter mindset, highly adaptable, and versatile, with strong multi-tasking skills.
- Ability to travel up to 20% of your time.
- English language fluency.
