Vacancy: Analyst
Start Date:Immediately
Start Date:Immediately
Location: Nairobi
About Innovations for Poverty Action:Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) is a non-profit research organization that creates and evaluates approaches to solving development problems and disseminates information about what works and what does not to policymakers, practitioners, investors and donors around the world.
Busara
has worked with a variety of researchers and policy-makers across multiple
sectors, working to unpack mechanisms in the lab, apply them in the field, and
ultimately inform policy to make programs more effective.
Position Overview: The
Analysts will synthesize, summarize, and perform complex analysis on
information collected from potential and existing partner organizations.
The role will require analysis of
institutional publications and survey data, independently led secondary research,
and systematic documentation of the analytical efforts used to reach the
evidence-based recommendations.
S/he will contribute to developing
appropriate measurement, sampling, and survey strategy and the design of survey
instruments to gather quantitative and qualitative data.
The ideal analyst will be extremely
intellectually curious, service-oriented, and able to conduct, document, and
explain complex analysis and research geared towards real-world improvements.
This position will be a critical
piece of Busara’s research team, identifying viable interventions, targeting
potential partners, preparing proposals, and managing relationships.
The analyst will play a large role in
a dynamic and fast-paced work environment, with opportunities to work in
multiple sectors and regions.
Goals and Responsibilities
The Analyst will provide support and
guidance to Busara’s research and consulting services in the following ways:
- Conduct extensive background research and
prepare internal working documents for potential consulting and research
project.
- Engage in client interactions and identify
viable new partnerships in behavioral economics.
- Prepare budgets and proposal documents for
potential client engagements.
- Monitor and mange existing research projects,
as well as design and set up systems for new engagements.
- Conduct data analysis and prepare internal
progress reports.
- Extract meaning, through analysis that
provides insightful interpretations of data
- Provide inputs to drafts of Concept Notes
detailing the research process for individual inquiries
- Support operations research (e.g. supply chain
and design oriented), market research (e.g. community sensitization) and
cost-efficiency related projects using quantitative and qualitative
methodology for improvements in program and to aid programmatic
evidence-based decision making
- Ensure robust documentation of all systems,
design, and indicators for existing engagements.
Qualifications, Experience and Skills
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in economics,
statistics or another quantitative field
- Work experience in a fast-paced, analytical
and quantitative role
- Familiarity with statistical software packages
such as Stata and Excel or similar languages such as R, MatLab, SAS etc.
with the ability to learn and adapt to new programs (experience with Stata
preferred)
- Strong interest in research on psychology,
economics, and behavioral sciences
- Experience building infographics and/or using
design and infographic software (e.g. Gapminder, StatSilk, Adobe
Illustrator/Photoshop, Omni Graffle etc.)
- Familiarity with behavior change literature,
operational analytics, supply-chain analytics, and/or market research
principles
- Work experience in entrepreneurial or start-up
environments in Africa
- Strong interpersonal and communications skills
to work effectively with a team that is geographically dispersed
- Self-directed/self-motivating personality,
with proven ability to manage demands from multiple supervisors while
adhering to program deadlines and priorities
- Strong critical and analytical thinking skills
- Intellectual flexibility and willingness to
form and adjust opinions based on evidence
- Quick to learn, motivated to self-teach and
capable of independently translating new knowledge into practice
- Willingness to travel
Note: Please specifically illustrate the above desired
qualifications in your cover letter by giving examples from your experience.
In addition, this position requires a candidate to:
- Have a strong commitment to evidence-based
practice and policy in the development field
- Be enthusiastic to develop personally and
professionally as part of a growing global team
- Possess a strong attention to detail and a
genuine love of working with data
How to Apply
Applications can be submitted by
email to jobs-kenya@poverty-action.org
Please ensure that the subject line
reads: “Analyst.” REF No: Busara-2014-07-03.
Attach CV with filename YOURNAME_CV
and Cover Letter with YOURNAME_Cover.
Deadline to Apply: 15th August 2014
Only short-listed candidates will be
contacted by email for an interview.
Applicants are encouraged to apply
early, as applications will be reviewed on a ROLLING BASIS.
Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the
general nature and level of the work being performed by the Analyst. 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.