Innovations for Poverty Action Research Associate Job in Nairobi Kenya

Job Title: Research Associate
 

Deadline to Apply: 28th December 2014
 

Start Date: January 15th, 2015 (non-negotiable)
 

Location: Nairobi, Kenya
 

Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to discovering and promoting effective solutions to global poverty problems. 

In close partnership with decision makers -- the policymakers, practitioners, investors, and donors working with the poor around the world -- IPA designs and evaluates potential solutions to poverty problems using randomized evaluations, the most rigorous evaluation method available. 

We also mobilize and support these decision makers to use these solutions to build better programs and policies at scale
 

About the Job: IPA Kenya seeks qualified applicants for the position of Research Associate for the Tax Compliance Project that will focus on tax policies for small-medium firms and individuals.
 

The project will begin in January 2015 and its activities will take place in Nairobi.
 

The research project will aim at designing and implementing a randomized controlled trial being coordinated by the Principal Investigator who is from Stanford University.
 

The research will examine the role of financial incentives and novel technologies in fostering tax compliance. 

The Research Associate will take a lead role in collecting data in the field, managing large databases, piloting the interventions, and managing relationships with the project partners. It is expected that the Research Associate will work independently and maintain regular communication with the PI.
 

The position requires excellent interpersonal and organization skills. It also requires proficiency with Stata. Familiarity with other data management and statistical packages is a plus.
 

The position offers an opportunity to gain first-hand field management experience in an organization undertaking cutting-edge development research. 

The main principal investigator is Lorenzo Casaburi, postdoctoral fellow at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
 

The Research Associate will work closely with the IPA-Kenya Country Office and the Principal Investigators to perform a variety of tasks including, but not limited to: 

• sophisticated logistic planning, 
• significant in-person oversight of implementing partner managing the implementation field team, 
• monitoring implementation quality, 
• checking and analyzing data, 
• cleaning data and assisting in preliminary analysis, 
• assisting in the writing of project reports and policy memos, 
• financial / expenditure oversight, 
• HR management, and 
• various administrative tasks.

The Research Associate will be based in Nairobi, Kenya but the position may involve field visits in other regions. The employment period is 12 months.
 

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:
 

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor's degree in economics, statistics, social sciences, public policy, or related fields
• Excellent management and organizational skills along with strong quantitative skills
• Fluency and excellent communication skills in English
• Working knowledge of Stata
• Flexible, self-motivating, able to manage multiple tasks efficiently, a team player
• Assertive personality and demonstrated ability to manage high-level relationships with partner organizations

Desired Qualifications:

• Familiarity with randomized controlled trials preferred
• Familiarity with other data analysis software

If you are interested, please follow the instructions below:
 

How to Apply: Please send a cover letter and detailed CV, 3 references, daytime phone number(s), and email address. Your CV should include your scores or grades and other measures of academic achievement, and details about any relevant work experience.

Applications must be submitted by email to jobs-kenya@poverty-action.org, please ensure that the subject line reads: “RESEARCH ASSOCIATE.” REF NO: TAX COMPLIANCE-2014-12-01. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the Research Associate. 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-kenya@poverty-action.org.