Analyst at Innovations for Poverty Action
Start Date:Immediately
Location: Nairobi
About Innovations for Poverty Action: Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) is a non-profit research organization that creates and evaluates approaches to solving development problems and disseminates information about what works and what does not to policymakers, practitioners, investors and donors around the world.
Busara has worked with a variety of researchers and policy-makers across multiple sectors, working to unpack mechanisms in the lab, apply them in the field, and ultimately inform policy to make programs more effective.
Goals and Responsibilities
- Conduct extensive background research and prepare internal working documents for potential consulting and research project.
- Engage in client interactions and identify viable new partnerships in behavioral economics.
- Prepare budgets and proposal documents for potential client engagements.
- Monitor and mange existing research projects, as well as design and set up systems for new engagements.
- Conduct data analysis and prepare internal progress reports.
- Extract meaning, through analysis that provides insightful interpretations of data
- Provide inputs to drafts of Concept Notes detailing the research process for individual inquiries
- Support operations research (e.g. supply chain and design oriented), market research (e.g. community sensitization) and cost-efficiency related projects using quantitative and qualitative methodology for improvements in program and to aid programmatic evidence-based decision making
- Ensure robust documentation of all systems, design, and indicators for existing engagements.
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in economics, statistics or another quantitative field
- Work experience in a fast-paced, analytical and quantitative role
- Familiarity with statistical software packages such as Stata and Excel or similar languages such as R, MatLab, SAS etc. with the ability to learn and adapt to new programs (experience with Stata preferred)
- Strong interest in research on psychology, economics, and behavioral sciences
- Experience building infographics and/or using design and infographic software (e.g. Gapminder, StatSilk, Adobe Illustrator/Photoshop, Omni Graffle etc.)
- Familiarity with behavior change literature, operational analytics, supply-chain analytics, and/or market research principles
- Work experience in entrepreneurial or start-up environments in Africa
- Strong interpersonal and communications skills to work effectively with a team that is geographically dispersed
- Self-directed/self-motivating personality, with proven ability to manage demands from multiple supervisors while adhering to program deadlines and priorities
- Strong critical and analytical thinking skills
- Intellectual flexibility and willingness to form and adjust opinions based on evidence
- Quick to learn, motivated to self-teach and capable of independently translating new knowledge into practice
- Willingness to travel
In addition, this position requires a candidate to:
- Have a strong commitment to evidence-based practice and policy in the development field
- Be enthusiastic to develop personally and professionally as part of a growing global team
- Possess a strong attention to detail and a genuine love of working with data