(Associate) Research Manager at Innovations for Poverty Action

Position Summary

Innovations for Poverty Action’s (IPA) Tanzania Country Office is seeking a highly motivated and qualified individual for the position of (Associate) Research Manager. This role involves overseeing research projects and teams in two Country Offices, supporting regional projects, and acting as a bridge between academic researchers, donors, and field teams. The position offers an opportunity to contribute to new projects, existing project implementation, and capacity building of research staff across Tanzania, Malawi, and Zambia.

The ideal candidate should have strong technical expertise in research design and implementation, as well as financial and administrative experience. The role requires managing complex workflows, teams, and stakeholder relationships, with a focus on strategic thinking, impact evaluation methodology, data management, and leading high-performing teams. The position will be based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania or Lusaka, Zambia, depending on the incumbent’s preference, with occasional travel to field sites required.

Responsibilities 

30% – Project Management:

• Directly supervise, coach, and mentor project staff (Senior Research Associates, Research Associates, and Field Managers) in implementing complex research projects.
• Plan and supervise survey implementation, quality assurance, data cleaning, data analysis, and other activities related to successfully conducting rigorous impact evaluations.
• Grow research staff capacity around coding complex digital surveys, data management, advanced statistical analysis, budget management, and writing technical reports.
• Provide strong regional support, including management of projects in Tanzania, Malawi, and Zambia.

25% – Project Development:

• Contribute to new project design and lead budgeting on new proposals and business development.
• Keep the Country Director apprised of all new project developments and serve as a key link between IPA, donors, PIs and partners.

20% – Stakeholder & Donor Management:

• Build and manage relationships with principal investigators (PIs), donors, and implementing partners.
• Lead on the development of project deliverables, such as technical and financial reports, project briefs, and blog posts, and ensure timely submission to donors and partners.
• Support the dissemination of research results via presentations and reports to academic and non-academic audiences.
• Represent IPA at senior-level meetings and forums.

15% – Financial Management:

• Oversee project financial management, including the creation and monitoring of project budgets, project procurement, and ensure the smooth integration of projects into IPA grant and financial systems.

10% – General Support:

• Perform related duties as assigned by Country Director.

Qualifications

Required:

• At least three, though preferably five, years of experience with managing multiple research projects and teams, with increasing levels of responsibility
• Excellent project management, budgeting, and organizational skills; meticulous attention to detail
• Experience supervising data collection, survey design and implementation and data management
• Advanced knowledge of quantitative data collection relevant to measurement and instrument development
• Knowledge of Stata is required; a strong knowledge of digital data collection platforms (like Survey CTO) is preferred
• Strong quantitative, budgeting, and financial management skills; experience with writing donor reports and grant proposals
• Strong written and oral communication skills, fluency in English is required
• Creativity and intellectual curiosity in experimental methods
• Ability to find quick and effective solutions to unforeseen circumstances
• Flexible, independent, self-motivating, ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently and work under pressure
• Ability to work in a diverse, multi-cultural environment
• Willingness to managing projects across the East African region
• We are looking for a commitment period of at least three years for this position
• Ph.D. or master’s degree in international affairs, international public policy, development economics or field related to international economic development.

Preferred:

• Experience living and working in the country where the incumbent is based is strongly preferred
• A proven track record with project development
• Background in randomized control trials is a plus.

Reports to

Deputy Regional Director, East Africa & Asia

Location

Tanzania or Zambia

Deadline to Apply

Thursday July 3rd, 2025