Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) is inviting applications for a Program Associate, Strategic Impact Evaluation and Learning (SIEL) position supporting a major six-year learning partnership involving the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), IPA and the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL).
The position offers an opportunity for professionals with experience in research management, project coordination, impact evaluation, policy, evidence generation and research dissemination to contribute to programmes designed to strengthen the use of evidence in global development.
The successful candidate will work within IPA’s Sector Programs department and support the SIEL Program Lead across research funding, project development, communications, capacity strengthening and programme administration.
About the SIEL Program
The Strategic Impact Evaluation and Learning (SIEL) programme aims to strengthen the evidence base available to FCDO for its global programmes and policies. It seeks to improve the efficiency and value for money of development interventions while strengthening the ability of FCDO staff to use and commission impact evaluations.
The Program Associate will contribute to activities covering four strategic priority areas:
- Growth
- Humanitarian assistance
- Climate and nature
- Conflict and fragility
The role combines research fund management with project development, stakeholder engagement, communications and knowledge sharing.
Key Responsibilities
The Program Associate will spend approximately 40% of their time on research fund coordination. Responsibilities will include coordinating competitive funding processes, drafting calls for proposals, communicating with FCDO and research teams, supporting proposal reviews and supervising the development of grant agreements.
The successful candidate will also track grants and projects, review deliverables, maintain accurate Salesforce records and ensure that grant reporting meets donor requirements. They will participate in the initial review and filtering of research proposals submitted to the competitive fund review board.
Approximately 30% of the position will focus on project development. The Program Associate will support the Program Lead in developing new projects, conducting outreach and helping FCDO teams develop research proposals.
They will work with IPA’s research support, programmes, grants, legal, finance and global operations teams, while coordinating matchmaking between FCDO teams, researchers, IPA country offices and J-PAL country offices.
The position also includes a communications and policy component, accounting for approximately 20% of the role. The Program Associate will support research dissemination activities, prepare materials for events and training sessions, contribute to keeping IPA’s website updated with project information and assist with capacity-strengthening activities.
The remaining 10% will involve general programme administration, including financial monitoring and supporting implementation of IPA’s diversity, equity and inclusion strategy.
Eligibility and Qualifications
Applicants should have a Bachelor’s degree in economics, political science, public policy or a related field.
Candidates are expected to have at least two years of professional experience in areas such as project management, research management, research fund management or research dissemination.
Strong project management abilities are important. Applicants should demonstrate attention to detail, the ability to manage multiple projects efficiently and the flexibility to work across different teams and priorities.
The position also requires excellent written and verbal communication skills. Candidates should be able to communicate complex information clearly to internal and external stakeholders using accessible, non-technical language.
Applicants should also demonstrate the ability to present information in a structured and insightful manner, both orally and in writing.
A Master’s degree in economics, political science, public policy or a related field is preferred but is not listed as mandatory.
Additional experience or knowledge in the following areas would strengthen an application:
- Impact evaluation methodologies
- Humanitarian assistance
- Climate and nature
- Economic growth
- Conflict and fragility
- Evidence synthesis
- Research summaries
- Policy briefs
- Excel
- Salesforce or other CRM systems
Location and Language Requirements
The position is open to candidates based in several IPA country offices across Africa.
Preferred locations include:
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Ghana
- Kenya
- Nigeria
- Rwanda
- Sierra Leone
- Uganda
Applicants must have fluent English language skills, including strong written English.
IPA notes that compensation for candidates hired through African country offices will be determined according to the relevant country office’s salary scale and local labour market.
For candidates based in the United States, the stated salary range is US$53,000 to US$69,000 per year, with placement depending on experience, qualifications and internal equity.
About Innovations for Poverty Action
Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) is a research and policy nonprofit focused on identifying and advancing solutions that improve the lives of people living in poverty.
Since its establishment in 2002, IPA has worked with more than 600 leading academics, conducting over 1,000 evaluations across 52 countries. Its research has contributed to programmes affecting millions of people around the world.
Through partnerships with researchers, governments, development organizations and policymakers, IPA seeks to ensure that rigorous evidence is translated into practical policies and programmes.
The SIEL position therefore provides an opportunity for professionals interested in international development, research, evidence-based policymaking and global poverty reduction to contribute to a large-scale international learning partnership.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their applications through the official IPA recruitment platform.
Applicants should ensure that their application clearly demonstrates relevant experience in research or project management, evidence generation, stakeholder coordination, research dissemination and programme administration.
Candidates who can demonstrate knowledge of impact evaluation or experience working on issues such as climate, humanitarian assistance, economic growth or conflict and fragility may be particularly well positioned for the role.
Application deadline: 15 August 2026
Position: Program Associate, Strategic Impact Evaluation and Learning (SIEL)
Organization: Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA)
Locations: Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Uganda
Minimum experience: 2 years
Education: Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred
Language: Fluent English
Deadline: 15 August 2026
