IPA seeks a Programs Integration and Development Director to join the Global Program team and work to set a common vision and agenda for IPA’s geographic and sector and thematic work; oversee and support the functioning of IPA’s Country Programs worldwide; support Country Programs to develop project concepts and partnerships; and established standards, core tools and resources related to overall policy objectives, as
well as research and administration in coordination with IPA’s functional departments.
As part of this team, the Director will play a key providing management support to selected Country Offices and contribute to the team’s priorities. It is estimated that the Programs Integration and Development Director will be traveling for about 30-40% of the time. On deployment to a Country Office, the Programs Integration and Development Director would have dotted reporting to the relevant Regional Director but at all times would maintain a consistent supervisory reporting line to the CGPO.
The position will require the capacity to jump into multiple, differing situations learning a context quickly to provide leadership to a country office. These offices would be either in a growth phase or leadership transition period and the incumbent will be expected to guide the country office while strengthening the IPA agenda. This is a unique opportunity to have a deep focus on research and policy programs, spend time in the field, oversee direct in-country operations and to interact closely with researchers, government agencies, donors while at the same time taking leadership for global risk.
management and capacity strengthening.
Responsibilities:
Country office strengthening :
- Lead the creation of a compliance checklist for the Country Offices and coordinate input from all relevant internal departments;
- Lead the CO adaptation of the project risk registry;
- Contribute to defining risk management and project escalation policies;
- Take steps to mitigate risks and to safeguard the organization’s reputation;
- Design efficient and effective training and onboarding processes for CO leadership;
- Work to incorporate best practices and lessons learned in research and operations by other IPA offices and research affiliates;
- Provide input to and work with COs to keep up-to date relevant country-specific performance metrics.
Country office direct support :
- Provide direct support and supervision to CO-based teams of Research Managers/Coordinators, whose responsibilities include project design, management of data collection, data management and analysis, and writing of research reports, all in close collaboration with the Principal Investigators This may include direct support and supervision to Projects Outside Country Office (POCO) managers.;
- Build systems and structures to ensure that the implementation of research activities follows IPA’s research quality standards and processes and Principal Investigator’s directions;
- Lead the selection and onboarding of new (Deputy) Country Directors and mentor them in the transition process;
- Provide direct support and supervision to administrative staff, overseeing human resources, IT, procurement, operations, and finance;
- With support from the Global and regional Finance and Grants team, ensure compliance with financial procedures, approve expenditures, make accurate spending projections, and ensure overall compliance;
- Oversee the management of project budgets and donor reporting, with support from the Research Manager, Research Coordinator, and administrative staff, and in coordination with IPA’s global grants team;
- For selected geographical locations, and in close coordination with CO and Global leadership, define a roadmap and workplan for setting up phasing out country office operations.
Policy impact, external relations and project development :
- Represent IPA in national and local government agencies and partner organizations. Manage relationships with current and potential IPA partner organizations;
- Be the steward and key point of contact for one or more donors;
- Develop and maintain relationships with implementing partners, the government and academia for the country office that is being supported in dialogue with potential partners and Principal Investigators, identify and develop potential projects with meaningful research and policy implications;
- Participate in research project design and lead budgeting during the proposal stage to ensure evaluations meet IPA standards;
- Coordinate fundraising for research proposals.
Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:
- Master’s degree in development economics, international affairs, international public policy, or field related to international economic development;
- A minimum of 5-7 years of relevant work experience, including 3 years in a senior management position; preferably experience in research and policy engagement;
- Demonstrated ability to lead large teams and multiple projects;
- Experience in developing research projects, experience with budgeting and project planning;
- Strong quantitative skills and familiarity with randomized controlled trials is an added advantage;
- Passion for connecting rigorous research to policy makers and practitioners and communicating what works in development;
- Commitment to leading a diverse team in a multicultural environment and building staff capacity;
- Ability to communicate effectively across cultures with multiple stakeholders including international and local academic researchers, government officials, NGO partners, enumeration teams, and study participants;
- Significant exposure to human resources and financial management;
- Experience in grants and contracts management, preferably in a research setting;
- Excellent management and organizational skills and ability to work independently;
- Flexible, self-motivating, able to manage multiple tasks efficiently, and a team player ;
- Experience living and working in the Global South;
- Fluency in both written and spoken English is required; other language skills in French or Spanish are desired;
- Strong oral and written communication skills.