About the job
1. Summary
The SES or ES will provide technical and management leadership of and support for impact evaluations, synthesis, and other evidence programs. This includes leading research and evaluation projects, supporting preparing proposal materials for fundraising, writing program documents, reviewing grant proposals, quality-assuring 3ie-funded studies, and managing external reviewers and other consultants. S/he is expected to assume full day-to-day management responsibility for evidence programs, conduct research, provide technical assistance for capacity building, and write content for publications, social media, and 3ie’s website. S/he will lead and/or participate in high-level events, conferences, and workshops. In various capacities, the SES or ES communicates and negotiates directly with funders and represents 3ie to policymakers and researchers.
The successful candidate will have significant impact evaluation research experience and demonstrated expertise in implementing research and translating research evidence for decision-makers in L&MICs. We seek a highly diplomatic and entrepreneurial individual who takes the initiative and thrives in a matrix-managed, fast-paced environment.
The SES or ES will report to 3ie’s Director of Evaluation programs.
The SES or ES may supervise and mentor junior staff. S/he will be working in a matrixed environment and will be expected to establish strong and collaborative relations with staff across all 3ie offices, with researchers and other stakeholders in the field and with 3ie members located in L&MICs. International and domestic travel is expected at approximately 10 to 20 per cent of her/his time, conditions permitting.
2. Key responsibilities
2.1. Research, review, and translation for a policy audience
- Provide technical and management leadership for evidence programs and research grants across a range of development sectors, including but not limited to health, nutrition, education, agriculture, governance, climate change, microfinance, humanitarian interventions, social protection, agriculture, and related social sector programming.
- Conduct and advise on scoping studies, formative research, process evaluations, replication studies, systematic reviews and evidence gap maps.
- Assist in managing technical assistance projects, including writing specifications for professional service contracts, recruiting consultants, standardizing products and reports and quality-assuring products and services.
- Provide technical assistance to key 3ie stakeholders on topics including but not limited to capacity-building, evaluation methods and study design, database development, research transparency initiatives, and evidence uptake and use.
- Work with consultants and stakeholders in the field, as well as with 3ie staff, to ensure documentation of 3ie’s evaluation programs.
- Lead on new methods and/or development of certain innovative research topics (research transparency, etc.)
2.2. Project and grant administration and management
- Provide program management leadership and support for research and professional services grants and contracts to ensure strategic, programmatic, technical, financial, and contractual integrity from project startup through implementation and completion.
- In collaboration with 3ie staff managing programs, ensure that grant and contract implementation and spending are aligned with approved budgets, workplans, and 3ie policies and practices.
- SES/ES may recruit, on-board, manage, and supervise staff and consultants, as required; mentor junior staff, as needed.
2.3. Institutional advancement and communications
- Represent 3ie in evaluation and development fora, including technical working groups and donor, bilateral, and multilateral consultative groups and meetings.
- Strengthen and build relationships with 3ie’s key stakeholders, including members, donors, policymakers and researchers.
- Lead and contribute to technical reports, publications, briefs, blogs, website content, and other social media on evidence programs and professional services.
- Engage in strategic growth and diversification of 3ie initiatives to cultivate donors, develop partnerships, write technical proposals, and support innovations in program development.
2.4. Business development (applicable for SES)
- Engage in strategic growth and diversification of 3ie initiatives to cultivate donors, develop partnerships, write technical proposals, and support innovations in program development
- Lead the preparation of proposal materials for fundraising, writing program documents and reviewing grant proposals
3. Qualifications, experience and skills
Education and work experience for the SES position:
- Master’s degree in economics, public policy, public health, demography, or other relevant social science eld includes advanced training in statistics, econometrics, and experimental and quasi-experimental methods. A doctorate is strongly preferred.
- Research experience and in-depth knowledge of experimental and quasi-experimental methods applied in impact evaluation (RCT, IV, RD, synthetic control, etc.)
- Experience conducting, managing and quality-assuring data collection activities.
- Experience designing and implementing one or more of the following: implementation research, process evaluations, formative research, qualitative research
- Program management experience outside of research study management, with grants management experience strongly preferred
- Experience working with high-level officials in funding agencies, international organizations, private foundations and government ministries.
- Academic knowledge of and direct field experience with health, nutrition, and other social sector programming in L&MICs
- Experience in L&MIC policy development and/or policy implementation at either the national or sub-national level preferred
- Project management experience
- Experience supporting new business activities and demonstrated ability to write technical proposals across one or more development sectors preferred.
Education and work experience for the ES position
- Master’s degree in economics, public policy, public health, demography, or other relevant social science field that includes advanced training in statistics, econometrics, experimental and quasi-experimental methods. A doctorate is strongly preferred.
- Research experience and in-depth knowledge of experimental and quasi-experimental methods applied in impact evaluation (RCT, IV, RD, synthetic control, etc.)
- Experience conducting, managing and quality-assuring data collection activities
- Experience designing and implementing one or more of the following: implementation research, process evaluations, formative research, qualitative research
- Academic knowledge of and direct field experience with health, nutrition, and other social sector programming in L&MICs preferred
- Experience in L&MIC policy development and/or policy implementation at either the national or sub-national level preferred
- Project management experience preferred
- Experience supporting new business activities and demonstrated ability to write technical proposals across one or more development sectors preferred
4. Skills
- Ability to carry out data analysis in Stata, R, Python and/or other statistical software packages
- Excellent oral and written communication as well as presentation skills in English; professional proficiency in a second language highly preferred
- Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and the flexibility and willingness to adapt to shifting weekly priorities and deadlines
- Experience working and managing staff in a matrix environment
- Excellent cross-cultural skills and diplomacy, and a reputation for being a strategic thinker, innovator, networker, and “field person”
5. Eligibility
We will recruit one or more individuals with the right to work in India. 3ie is an equal-opportunity employer committed to equality and diversity. We do not discriminate based on sex, age, religion, ethnicity, caste, sexual orientation or for being differently abled. We particularly encourage ethnic minorities and differently-abled persons to apply.
6. Terms of employment
Candidates should be available to start work within a month of accepting the offer. 3ie offers competitive remuneration based on location, experience and qualifications.
Our policies and procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse. We follow a zero-tolerance policy for bullying or harassment in the workplace.
7. How to apply
Please apply by providing the following documents:
- A cover letter highlighting experience most relevant to the job description. Please attach a writing sample as an annexure (preferably a sample of a proposal, research paper, or other technical document you authored alone).
- Curriculum vitae
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Only complete applications will be considered. Only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
How to Apply : Apply
