Graduate Trainee

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.

Position Summary

Reports to: Research Manager

Contract Duration: 6 months

Location: Busia, Kenya

The graduate internship is part of IPA’s Africa graduate trainee program which seeks to build a pipeline of researchers within IPA sector programs such as Health, Agriculture, Education, Financial Inclusion, Governance, Peace and Recovery, Small and Medium Enterprises or Social Protection), and is open to students who are interested in developing further in a research track career. The graduate trainee under the overall guidance of the Country Director in Kenya and directly reporting to the Research Manager, will undertake differen t tasks in the ACCHV project that will equip him/her with skills in evidence -based research to contribute to the production of research publications and to turn evidence into better programs and policies for the poor.

Responsibilities

60%

• Liaise with the Principal Investigators and Research Manager in the design of survey questionnaires.
• Work with the data manager to program survey tools using SurveyCTO, high-frequency checks and data flows.
• Develop data collection and data quality assurance protocols.
• Plan and supervise survey implementation, quality assurance, data cleaning, data analysis and other activities related to rigorous impact evaluation implementation.

40%

• Assist in managing relationships with donors, partners organizations and lead researchers.
• Assist the lead researcher in data analysis and in writing the final paper.

20%

• Attend the weekly PI calls for the project and contribute accordingly.
• Attend the monthly PI meeting and keep the PI and Research Manager apprised of their professional development on the project.

Qualifications

Required

• Have an interest in one of IPA’s sector program areas. Knowledge and experience in health is required on this project
• Driving Results: Applies required technical knowledge and skills to achieve expected outputs
• Be enrolled/holder of a doctorate or master’s degree in the fields of economics, social sciences, public policy or a related field. (A PhD candidate is preferred for this project)

Preferred

• Excellent management and organizational skills along with strong quantitative skills

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.