The SME Initiative at Innovations for Poverty
Action seeks a qualified Project Associate to join a study of the impact of a
business skills training program for women entrepreneurs. The SME Initiative at
IPA coordinates and supports research on the SME sector in developing
economies, and this evaluation assesses the direct and indirect impacts of
business skills training implemented in Kampala, Entebbe, Mukono and Jinja. The
Principal Investigators are Dean Karlan, Greg Fischer, and Meredith Startz.
Action seeks a qualified Project Associate to join a study of the impact of a
business skills training program for women entrepreneurs. The SME Initiative at
IPA coordinates and supports research on the SME sector in developing
economies, and this evaluation assesses the direct and indirect impacts of
business skills training implemented in Kampala, Entebbe, Mukono and Jinja. The
Principal Investigators are Dean Karlan, Greg Fischer, and Meredith Startz.
The position offers an opportunity to gain
first-hand field management experience in an organization undertaking
cutting-edge development research . The work will stretch your analytical and
management skills to the limit and will require your full commitment in a
challenging environment. This position will be based in Kampala with some
travel to surrounding areas.
first-hand field management experience in an organization undertaking
cutting-edge development research . The work will stretch your analytical and
management skills to the limit and will require your full commitment in a
challenging environment. This position will be based in Kampala with some
travel to surrounding areas.
Responsibilities:
The Project Associate works closely with academic
researchers, the Project Coordinator and other field staff to perform a variety
of tasks including, but not limited to:
researchers, the Project Coordinator and other field staff to perform a variety
of tasks including, but not limited to:
- Overseeing multiple rounds of data collection
, including follow-up surveys and a final endline survey; - Developing and piloting the survey
instruments; programming surveys onto mobile devices; and managing the
translation of the survey into the local language; - Hiring, training, and managing data collection
teams; - Managing data from collection at the
businesses to the delivery of a final, cleaned dataset; - Ensuring adherence to IPA and study protocols
including auditing enumerators, performing daily checks of incoming data,
and ensuring data is of the highest quality; - Coordinating and maintaining close
relationships with the local implementing partner; and - Assisting in the writing of project reports
and policy memos.
Desired Qualifications and Experience:
- A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in economics,
public policy, international development, social sciences, or related
fields; - Excellent project management and
organizational skills; - Demonstrated ability to lead staff efficiently
to achieve project goals and to manage high-level relationships with
partner organizations; - Strong quantitative skills, with a background
in statistics preferred; - Knowledge of Stata (preferred), SAS, or other data
analysis software required; programming and other technical knowledge a
strong plus; - Familiarity with randomized controlled trials
preferred; and - Experience living or working in a developing
country.
In addition to the qualifications described above,
applicants should have excellent writing and communication skills; exceptional
attention to detail; flexibility, self-motivation, and an ability to manage
multiple tasks efficiently; and should be a team player.
applicants should have excellent writing and communication skills; exceptional
attention to detail; flexibility, self-motivation, and an ability to manage
multiple tasks efficiently; and should be a team player.
How to Apply
If you are interested, please do two things:
1. Complete the J-PAL/IPA common application at
https://apply.povertyactionlab.org/login
indicating that you are interested in applying for a “Type 1: Field
Research Associate or Project Associate” position. Please include two
letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, CV, and transcripts.
https://apply.povertyactionlab.org/login
indicating that you are interested in applying for a “Type 1: Field
Research Associate or Project Associate” position. Please include two
letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, CV, and transcripts.
2. Send an email to jobs@poverty-action.org and
copy scraig@poverty-action.org,
following these instructions exactly:
copy scraig@poverty-action.org,
following these instructions exactly:
- In the subject line: Put your full name, first (given) name
followed by last (family) name. - Attachments: Please attach ONLY your cover letter and resume.
- In the email body: Copy exactly the following position line:
100773IPA, Project Associate, SME
Please do not include any text besides the position
line(s) in the body of the e-mail. Adding extra text will interfere with the
processing of your application.
line(s) in the body of the e-mail. Adding extra text will interfere with the
processing of your application.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for
an interview.
an interview.
DISCLAIMER: The above
statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work
being performed by the Project Associate. 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 jobs-info@poverty-action.org.
statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work
being performed by the Project Associate. 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 jobs-info@poverty-action.org.
IPA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE), adhering to the laws that prohibit discrimination in the terms and conditions
of employment . The IPA EOE policy provides equal employment, volunteer, and
service opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, color,
national origin or ancestry, religion, creed, sex, age, sexual orientation,
gender identification, marital status, veteran status, disability (including
HIV/AIDS), or any other status protected by applicable law.
of employment . The IPA EOE policy provides equal employment, volunteer, and
service opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, color,
national origin or ancestry, religion, creed, sex, age, sexual orientation,
gender identification, marital status, veteran status, disability (including
HIV/AIDS), or any other status protected by applicable law.
Closing Date: Saturday, 15 December 2012