Regional Director, East Africa

Job Description

• Reports to: Chief Program Officer
• Location: Nairobi, Kenya (preferred)
• Deadline to apply: January 2015
• Desired start date: February 2015

Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), is an international non-profit research organization. Based in New Haven, CT, with offices in New York, NY, Washington, D.C. and worldwide, IPA works with development partners and academic researchers to create and evaluate approaches to solving development problems, to communicate “what works” in development and to scale up successful projects in a variety of fields, including health, education, microfinance, governance and agriculture.

Position Summary:

Regional Director, East Africa is a newly refined leadership role at IPA developed to increase the capacity of IPA Country Programs in East Africa – Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia - to grow and strengthen IPA’s research portfolio and presence and to ensure that IPA’s work influences local and regional decisionmakers. The Regional Director is responsible for aligning priorities between IPA Global and Country Programs in the region, coordinating and communicating these activities with IPA stakeholders and for ensuring that the East Africa portfolio is sustainable and well positioned to achieve IPA’s vision.

The Regional Director will oversee and support Country Directors in East Africa on all strategic aspects of their roles. This includes working with Country Program management to establish business models and leading and supporting in fundraising efforts to allow for IPA to have long-term, in-country presence; establish and strengthen relationships with researchers and partners; develop research and policy agendas that draw upon global bodies of evidence and leverage existing projects; and continue to generate high quality research on innovative solutions to poverty problems.

Building off a solid base of evidence and strong partnerships in East Africa, the Regional Director will be in a position to leverage existing evidence and help guide and develop the next wave of research. To do this well, the Regional Director will need to be a strong communicator and translator between academics, researchers and private and public partners. S/he should also be intellectually curious and open to new ideas and ways of doing things. A successful Regional Director will provide a clear vision and plan that allows Country Directors in East Africa to lead, while supporting and providing strategic support and guidance when necessary.

The Regional Director also plays an important role in representing the E. Africa team globally internally and externally and to ensuring that countries are aligned and connected to each other and the global office. The Regional Director reports directly to the Chief Program Officer, and works closely with IPA functional support teams and the Senior Management Team. S/he will oversee a US-based Manager and all E. Africa Country Directors.

Responsibilities:

The specific responsibilities of the Regional Director include:

• Guide and oversee Country Programs with annual planning in East Africa, and oversee country teams throughout the year to ensure that these plans are executed successfully. This includes providing oversight to the overall health and sustainability of country programs and the region as a whole as well as direct support to partner engagement, research project development and management, policy outreach activities and CP management staffing
• Oversee the development of new research projects in Country Programs and across the region, ensuring that they align well with IPA’s mission and standards, supporting strategic project development opportunities and helping to facilitate match-making of potential implementing partners, researchers and donors
• Oversee and advise on the development of external relationships with donors, researchers and partners in the region. This includes, providing advice and support to Country Program teams in developing and building the capacity of partners on the ground to do impact evaluations
• Work with Country Programs to refine their focus and grow their sector approach with key stakeholders and to set a corresponding agenda for outreach and project development. Continue to refine IPA’s presence in East Africa, encouraging communication and collaboration between countries, supporting in the coordination of regional resources and support, ensuring that country program management is receiving appropriate professional development, working with country directors to ensure the overall financial and legal health of the portfolio
• Work with IPA’s Development team to fundraise for Country Programs in East Africa, recommend new funding opportunities in terms of their alignment to IPA’s strategy and mission
• Stay abreast of IPA/JPAL evidence and support linkages between global and local research agendas
• Work closely and coordinate activities with IPA’s partners in Africa, The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab, donors and researchers both in the development and implementation of country research and policy agenda and activities
• Contribute to and champion global program and organizational efforts, ensure that global goals are part of country plans and priorities
• Present on evaluation and about IPA and IPA projects to internal and external audiences

Location in region strongly preferred with frequent regional travel and initially a few trips per year to the US.

Qualifications:

Necessary experience and expertise in:

• At minimum, MPA, MPP and/or Masters in a relevant subject area such as economics, statistics, public policy, development, etc. as well as at least 5+ years of senior leadership and direct management experience
• Strong communication skills, ability to multi-task and a creative approach to work is required
• Experience in an IPA Country Program, or similar organization, strongly preferred
• Experience working with donors, government agencies, policymakers, and researchers on evidence based policy making
• Ability to present academic research in clear simple language and to engage policymakers and donors in discussion on using and scaling rigorous evidence
• Passion for and experience with research and evidence based policy-making
• Experience developing research projects, ideally randomized controlled trials
• Knowledge of randomized trials and experience in multiple sectors is strongly preferred
• Experience working in an international organization and in East Africa is strongly preferred.
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently within the region, and occasionally overseas

Innovations for Poverty Action is an EO Employer-MF/Veteran/Disability. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected class.

IPA will endeavor to make a reasonable accommodation to a qualified applicant with a disability unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. If you believe you require such assistance to complete this form or to participate in an interview, please contact us at jobs@poverty-action.org or via phone at 1-203-772-2216.

DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work to be performed by the Regional Director. 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@poverty-action.org.

** Please note that only qualified applicants will be contacted by the hiring manager.

About the Organization

Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), is an international non-profit research organization. Based in New Haven, CT, with offices in New York, NY, Washington, D.C. and worldwide, IPA works with development partners and academic researchers to create and evaluate approaches to solving development problems, to communicate “what works” in development and to scale up successful projects in a variety of fields, including health, education, microfinance, governance and agriculture.