Technical Program Manager

Position Summary

Do you enjoy driving results via data science and research projects? We seek an effective, energetic, and organized individual to spearhead IPA’s global research and data science project management. You will play a vital role in driving technical innovation and delivering on IPA’s commitment to high-quality data standards. You will lead project management within the Global Research and Data Science team, coordinate planning and communications with internal stakeholders at IPA, and support proposal preparation and reporting requirements to external stakeholders. The Technical Program Manager collaborates with colleagues worldwide to support high-quality research and data science that impacts millions of lives. We value unique perspectives and offer a supportive environment where team members can grow professionally while contributing to meaningful research and data science solutions.

Responsibilities

• Implement and manage agile methodologies for global research and data coding projects.

• Manage and coordinate responses to global research and data coding requests.

• Lead sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and retrospectives with GRDS team and cross-functional teams.

• Participate in team meetings and contribute to strategy development.

• Identify and implement process improvements and agile best practices.

• Support and maintain IPA's research quality standards through partnerships with country programs and research teams.

• Liaise with IPA country offices, sector programs, policy teams, and Right-fit Evidence unit to ensure timely project completion.

• Lead the preparation of updates on GDRS activities to internal IPA stakeholders.

• Contribute to proposal preparation for GRDS funding and reporting to donors and other stakeholders.

Qualifications

Required

• 3+ years’ experience in managing complex, international, multi-stakeholder data-related projects.

• Experience in agile project management principles.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Project management certifications (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2, Scrum Master, or Six Sigma) or equivalent experience.

Preferred

• Experience with project management tools like Jira or Asana.

• Proficiency working with Python, SQL, R, or Stata.

• Experience working with data scientists and research analysts.

• Familiarity with research quality standards.

• Ability to work in Spanish, French, or Swahili.

• Experience working with international development organizations.

Compensation

IPA's compensation structure is designed based on the labor market for the specific geographic location where the employee is located. We are offering the following salary ranges for this position:

• The Technical Program Manager, GRDS is classified as "C-3" on IPA's global job structure.

• For US-based employees only, the starting annual gross salary is $79,200 with a maximum of $89,000 USD.

• The salary for locations outside of the US will vary depending on IPA's salary scale ranges for that specific location.

Actual base salary may vary based upon, but not limited to, relevant experience, base salary of internal peers, business sector, and geographic location.

Reports to

Sr. Director of Global Research and Data Science

Deadline to Apply

Friday, November 8th, 2024

Location

Preferred: Ghana, Colombia, Kenya and Mexico

Open to other IPA country offices and the USA.

Application Instructions

Applicants who wish to be considered are required to provide a cover letter that includes a detailed overview of your experience collaborating with technical teams and highlights your achievements in project management in previous roles. Your CV and cover letter must be submitted in English as strong working proficiency in English is a requirement for this role. 

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. 

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.

Innovations for Poverty Action is an affirmative action-equal opportunity employer. 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 1-202-386-6200. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work to be performed by the specified position. 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