Senior Manager, Right Fit Evidence

Qualifications

• Master's degree in international public policy, development economics, or related field, with coursework in quantitative methods; MBAs also welcome.
  
• 5+ years of relevant work experience, including in M&E (public sector), education policy or program management, organizational performance/R&D/operational research (private sector), or management consulting/professional services.
  
• Expertise in specific areas of monitoring, evaluation, and learning.
  
• Experience designing and managing evidence, learning, monitoring, and evaluation strategies and systems.
  
• Experience leading quantitative project or program evaluations.
  
• Superior analytical and conceptual thinking skills.
  
• Project and people management experience.
  
• Strong stakeholder management and client-facing communication skills, with the ability to present information in a structured and insightful way, both verbally and in writing.
  
• Entrepreneurial self-starter mindset; highly adaptable and versatile with strong multitasking skills.
  
• Passion for making data-driven decision-making a reality in the development sector.
  
• Familiarity with M&E technology including SurveyCTO, ODK, or similar data collection software.
  
• Familiarity with randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and associated skillsets. (preferred)
  
• Working knowledge of French. (preferred)
  
• Lived experience in Africa and/or in low- and middle-income countries. (preferred)
  
• Prior experience in consultancy or similar professional services. (preferred)
  
• Expertise in international development and/or humanitarian work. (preferred)
  

Managing Strategic Project Delivery and Advisory Engagements (70–75%)

• Serve as the primary point of contact for a wide range of clients — including implementers, funders, and government agencies — managing multiple project teams to develop tailor-made solutions for their evidence, learning, and M&E needs.
  
• Lead the design, content, and delivery of the large multi-partner, multi-country FCDO SCALE project; serve as the project management function working with a large bilateral funder and internal team.
  
• Provide technical leadership for the design and implementation of right-fit MEL activities to inform scaling decisions and address evidence gaps, working collaboratively with funders, government stakeholders, and implementers.
  
• Oversee MEL and research conducted through IPA country offices and external partners.
  
• Manage project finances, ensuring high-quality outputs are delivered at or under budget.
  
• Over time, manage additional RFE engagements across multiple sectors.
  

Contributing to New Business Development and External Relationship Management (10–20%)

• Contribute ideas to match partner needs for new potential engagements in collaboration with IPA Research, Technical, Sector, and Policy teams; work could include theory of change and learning plan development, mixed-methods evaluation design, cost-effectiveness modeling, MEL system technical assistance, data use guidance, and evidence reviews.
  
• Coordinate proposal development processes, often managing Advisors on content preparation.
  
• Interface with active or potential funders and occasionally represent RFE and IPA at conferences and other events.
  

Contributing to IPA and RFE Strategy and Team Development (10–15%)

• Support RFE thought leadership and global influence through the production and dissemination of public goods, likely managing the ongoing development of one key RFE product.
  
• Manage the performance of 2–3 Advisors, including professional development and support for sustainability, workload, and well-being.
  
• Strengthen internal management systems.
  
• Manage at least one goal within RFE's annual strategic plan (assignments based on skills and interest).
  
• Encourage a positive work environment rooted in IPA values, with an emphasis on diversity, equity, inclusion, and well-being.
  
• Take a proactive role in the innovation and implementation of RFE products and services.