Background
- JOB TITLE: Research and Evaluations Manager
- PROJECT:Safe Water Program (SWP)
- DUTY STATION:Kisumu, Kenya
- REPORTING TO:Associate Program Director – SWP Kenya
- START DATE:April 1, 2012
- DEADLINE:Feb 15, 2012 – Applications considered on a rolling basis
Introduction
Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) is a rapidly growing, global organization with operations in over 40 countries. We design innovative, cutting-edge approaches to solving development problems, rigorously evaluate these programs, and promote the adoption of those with proven impact. This occurs both through the dissemination of results to policy makers, practitioners, and donors, as well as the actual design and implementation of new programs at a national level.
IPA-Kenya (IPAK) is IPA’s oldest and largest country office, and the center of a major IPA scale-up initiative –the Safe Water Program (SWP), which is pursuing a national scale-up of the Chlorine Dispenser System (CDS) in Kenya. The program is the first of its kind not only in Kenya, but internationally, and offers the unique opportunity to transform child health and development based on rigorous evidence of the dispenser system’s cost-effectiveness and impact.
SWP currently serves 400,000 people in Kenya with access to safe water and has ambitious growth plans for the coming years. The program’s mission in Kenya is to reach at least 5 million with access to safe water, averting nearly 2.3 million cases of child diarrhea and over 2,200 child deaths each year at this scale. The Research and Evaluations Manager will work with SWP’s team to manage all research and evaluations-related aspects of the program, including, but not limited to: cross-project monitoring and evaluation; development and management of research priorities; systems and technology development; team management and personnel development; and technical assistance and capacity-building as the program expands across Kenya and East Africa.
The Research and Evaluations Manager will supervise the Research and Development Officer, the Evaluations Officer, and the Data and IT Officer, and this person will be responsible for overseeing a large team of staff to complete field evaluations and answer discrete research questions to guide program growth in a high-impact and cost-effective manner.
More information on Chlorine Dispensers can be found at:http://poverty-action.org/safewater
Specific Responsibilities:
Cross-Project Monitoring and Evaluation
- Execute field evaluations for a variety of programs and operational models; create work-plans and staffing plans to ensure fieldwork is conducted promptly and efficiently
- Oversee the management and training of survey teams, including setting up and overseeing systems for quality control of data collection
- Oversee comprehensive data management and information systems
- Conduct and oversee rigorous data analysis on operational research and create reports to influence future program design and operations
- Work with policy and research advisors to write up research findings, policy briefings, and publications and present as needed
Development and Management of Research Priorities
- Work closely with SWP research advisors and senior management team to identify key priorities for R&D; develop study designs and related work-plans to implement research
- Oversee research that may include microbiological testing, chlorine concentration testing, and chlorine residual in drinking water
- Oversee cost-modelling to evaluate cost-effectiveness of various chlorine delivery operational models
- Oversee qualitative research and focus groups related to safe water program applications in communities
- Undertake program targeting and market research to maximize health impact
Systems and Technology Development
- Work closely with operations team to develop systems and technologies that will improve efficiencies in program operations
- Oversee electronic data collection and management related to program implementation and ongoing operations
- Integrate new technologies into field operations and program design
Team Management and Personnel Development
- Manage 3+ high-capacity staff members in Kenya, work to develop their skills and professional growth
- Oversee management and training of large team of staff for field evaluations
Technical Assistance and Capacity-Building
- Work closely with implementing teams to ensure that learning from research and evaluations is integrated into SWP programs in Kenya and other countries
- Provide advice and guidance on adaptation of Kenya-specific systems for implementation in other contexts
Qualifications
Desired Background and Skills
- Bachelors degree in economics, social sciences, public policy, public health, environmental engineering, or a related field; Master’s degree strongly preferred
- 3+ years work experience, preferably in a developing country, and demonstrated management potential; management experience a plus
- Flexible, self-motivating, and a team player
- Experience with data analysis in STATA and data management in Access
- Creative problem-solver; proven ability to set direction through strategic analytic thinking and decision-making
- Well organised, detail-oriented, able to prioritise and manage multiple tasks simultaneously with minimal supervision
- Extremely strong written and spoken English
- Experience working with Open Data Kit, Android OS, and/or ArcGIS/QGIS a plus
Expected Attitude
- Entrepreneurial Nature – SWP is still in its second year and employees are expected to pitch-in to drive program growth with enthusiasm and flexibility
- Passionate about developing and serving a team of staff as they execute project activities
- Eagerness to develop personally/professionally, willingness to learn, develop new skills, and take on more responsibilities
- Creativity and resourcefulness in proposing innovations and evaluating program success
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