IPA seeks a Research Coordinator to oversee a portfolio of 2 (sometimes up to 3) research projects most of which will be related to Entrepreneurship and financial Inclusion. If you are committed to solving poverty problems through research, have strong quantitative skills, are interested in SMEs and microfinance, and would like to work in a dynamic, multi-cultural and learning-oriented culture, then you may be the Research Coordinator that we are looking for.
The Research Coordinator will supervise and provide technical support to two or three research projects, each of which will be staffed with a team of one or more permanent staff. Most of these research projects are expected to relate to entrepreneurship and/or financial inclusion, though the research coordinator might also get involved with other sectors such as education, public health, gender and governance.
The Research Coordinator will work closely with the academic researchers and other field staff to perform a variety of tasks including, but not limited to: overseeing several other project staff, refining and testing survey instruments, conducting qualitative research, checking and analyzing in-coming data, cleaning data and assisting in preliminary analysis, assisting in the writing of project reports, coordinating with local partners running the programs being evaluated. The research coordinator may also contribute to the development of new research projects and designs, policy outreach, and internal capacity building.
This position will be based in Accra, Ghana.
Responsibilities
- Manage the research projects in the RC’s portfolio and work with Principal Investigators to ensure adherence to research design, sample selection, data collection, data management and general research protocols, as well as overall project objectives timelines;
- Oversee the planning and preparation of data collection activities, provide feedback on field operations and survey instruments, provide quality control during the data collection and cleaning processes, and assist in preparing preliminary analysis;
- Directly supervise 2 to 5 permanent research staff, with an eye on their professional growth;
- Keep the Research Manager and Country Director apprised of all developments on the projects within their portfolio, and serve as a key link between the field office, project staff, and Principal Investigators;
- Work with field office staff to ensure sound human resource and operational management of projects;
- Oversee project financial management, including monitoring of project budgets, and ensuring smooth adherence of projects to IPA financial systems;
- Oversee documentation and reporting activities for the projects in the portfolio;
- Take part in regular meetings with local partners and other partners to ensure success of programmatic activities; and
- Provide support to new project development activities, policy outreach and internal capacity building, under the guidance of the Research Manager, Deputy Country Director and Country Director
Qualifications
- Master's degree in economics, social sciences, public policy, or related fields. Bachelor’s degree only may be considered if compensated by additional relevant experience.
- At least 2 years of relevant experience, including experience managing field research, preferably including quantitative surveys.
- Flexible, self-motivating, able to manage multiple tasks efficiently, and team player.
- Excellent management and organizational skills;
- Strong quantitative skills, experience with data management/cleaning/analysis;
- Advanced knowledge of statistical package is strongly preferred. Knowledge of Stata is preferred;
- Cultural sensitivity and demonstrated ability to work successfully with diverse constituencies required;
- Strong written and oral communication skills and complete fluency in English is required;
- Familiarity with randomized controlled trials preferred;
- Experience living in a developing country is preferred;
- Experience in/knowledge of the entrepreneurship and financial inclusion sector is a plus.
We are looking for a commitment period of two years for this position.
