Associate Research Manager
First seen by Alion on Oct 13, 2026.
Associate Research Manager
Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) – Ghana
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Location: Accra, Ghana
Employment Type: Full-Time
About Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA)
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Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) is a global research and policy organization that discovers and promotes effective solutions to global poverty problems. IPA partners with researchers, policymakers, development practitioners, and other stakeholders to generate rigorous evidence and translate research findings into practical solutions that improve lives.
Through innovative research, strong partnerships, and evidence-based policy engagement, IPA helps governments and development organizations make informed decisions about programs and policies that affect communities and livelihoods.
At IPA Ghana, we work across key development sectors, including health, education, social protection, financial inclusion, and agriculture. We collaborate with government institutions, research organizations, funders, and implementing partners to ensure that rigorous research informs policy decisions and improves development outcomes.
About the Opportunity
IPA Ghana invites qualified, motivated, and results-oriented professionals to apply for the position of Associate Research Manager in our Accra office.
This is an exciting opportunity for a research professional who is passionate about generating credible evidence and strengthening the connection between research, policy, and practice. The successful candidate will lead multiple impact evaluation projects, support research teams, build strategic partnerships, and engage government institutions and other stakeholders to ensure that research findings inform policy and development programs.
As Associate Research Manager, you will provide technical leadership throughout the research cycle, from research design and field implementation to data management, statistical analysis, and dissemination. You will also manage project teams, budgets, timelines, and donor deliverables while identifying new research opportunities and supporting proposal development.
Beyond research management, you will serve as a key representative of IPA Ghana in policy forums, technical working groups, stakeholder consultations, and research events. You will help build trusted relationships with policymakers, researchers, development partners, and civil society organizations to advance evidence-informed decision-making.
We welcome applications from professionals who combine strong research and project management skills with excellent communication, strategic thinking, and a commitment to using evidence to address development challenges.
Position Summary
The Associate Research Manager will oversee the implementation and management of multiple rigorous impact evaluations across priority development sectors. Working closely with Principal Investigators, the Country Director, Research Managers, project teams, government partners, and other stakeholders, the successful candidate will ensure that research activities meet high standards of methodological rigor, data quality, financial accountability, and timely delivery.
The role also involves leading project development initiatives, identifying funding opportunities, developing research proposals, cultivating partnerships, and strengthening IPA Ghana’s engagement with policymakers and development practitioners.
The successful candidate will demonstrate expertise in impact evaluation methodologies, particularly randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental designs, alongside proven experience in research project management, stakeholder engagement, and policy communication.
Key Responsibilities
A. Research and Project Management- Collaborate with Principal Investigators to implement approved research designs, sampling strategies, data collection procedures, data management systems, and research protocols.
- Oversee the full research implementation cycle, including survey planning, fieldwork preparation, data quality assurance, data cleaning, statistical analysis, and impact evaluation activities.
- Manage multiple research projects simultaneously, ensuring that teams meet agreed objectives, timelines, quality standards, and donor requirements.
- Supervise and support research teams to deliver high-quality technical outputs, including digital surveys, data collection tools, data flow systems, quality control procedures, statistical analyses, and technical reports.
- Coordinate with researchers across academic institutions, funding organizations, government agencies, and implementing partners to ensure effective project implementation.
- Monitor project progress, identify implementation challenges, and develop practical solutions to keep research activities on track.
- Manage project budgets, monitor expenditures, contribute to budget development, and ensure that financial activities align with IPA’s financial systems and procedures.
- Ensure compliance with IPA policies, donor requirements, research ethics standards, and applicable in-country regulations.
- Serve as a key liaison between project teams and IPA headquarters on data management, analytical support, research systems, and technical implementation.
- Promote learning across projects by documenting best practices, sharing lessons, and facilitating formal and informal training for research staff.
- Support the dissemination of research findings through technical reports, presentations, policy briefs, and other communication products tailored to academic and non-academic audiences.
- Work with the Country Director, Research Managers, and Global Business Development team to develop, implement, and regularly review IPA Ghana’s project development and stakeholder engagement strategies across priority sectors.
- Identify emerging development challenges, policy priorities, and research gaps that could benefit from rigorous impact evaluation.
- Initiate and manage project development opportunities with researchers, funders, government institutions, implementing partners, and other relevant organizations.
- Lead the development of research concepts, proposals, and project plans that respond to priority policy questions and align with IPA’s mission.
- Develop project budgets, cost estimates, and resource plans for prospective research and funding opportunities.
- Coordinate proposal preparation and submission, ensuring that applications meet donor requirements, institutional standards, and submission deadlines.
- Collaborate with Grants, Legal, and Business Development teams to support proposal submissions, partnership agreements, and the establishment of new grant awards.
- Recruit, supervise, and mentor a team of two to four interns supporting project development and stakeholder engagement activities.
- Build new partnerships and strengthen existing relationships with Principal Investigators, research institutions, funders, and implementing organizations.
- Support the dissemination and policy uptake of research findings by identifying opportunities for stakeholder engagement and the potential scale-up of effective interventions.
- Represent IPA at relevant local, regional, and international conferences, technical meetings, advisory committees, task forces, and other sector-focused forums.
- Coordinate with the Global Business Development team to maintain accurate project development records, proposal documentation, shared files, and tracking systems.
- Represent IPA Ghana in national policy forums, technical working groups, research events, and stakeholder consultations.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with government ministries, departments and agencies, policymakers, development partners, civil society organizations, researchers, and other key stakeholders.
- Engage policymakers to identify priority research questions and ensure that research activities respond to relevant policy needs.
- Organize and facilitate stakeholder consultations, policy dialogues, research dissemination events, and knowledge-sharing sessions.
- Present research findings and evidence-based recommendations to government officials, development practitioners, and other decision-makers.
- Facilitate constructive dialogue between researchers and policymakers to strengthen the use of rigorous evidence in policy design, implementation, and evaluation.
- Provide technical insights and research support to stakeholders seeking to understand and apply evaluation findings.
- Maintain regular communication with key partners to share research progress, findings, and opportunities for collaboration.
- Identify opportunities to strengthen the visibility, relevance, and policy influence of IPA Ghana’s research portfolio.
- Provide clear direction, practical guidance, and ongoing feedback to project staff and interns.
- Promote a collaborative, inclusive, and results-oriented working environment that encourages accountability, learning, and professional development.
- Strengthen coordination across research, finance, grants, policy, and business development functions.
- Demonstrate initiative, sound judgment, and flexibility when managing competing priorities and emerging project needs.
- Undertake other relevant duties assigned by the supervisor in support of IPA Ghana’s research and organizational objectives.
Required Qualifications and Experience
Educational Requirements- A master’s degree or equivalent in Economics, Political Science, International Development, Public Policy, Statistics, Development Economics, or another relevant discipline.
- A strong academic foundation in research methods, impact evaluation, quantitative analysis, or related fields.
- At least three years of relevant professional experience in research management, impact evaluation, project management, policy research, or a comparable role.
- Demonstrated experience managing research projects, preferably involving rigorous impact evaluations, randomized controlled trials, or quasi-experimental methods.
- Practical knowledge of quantitative research methods, survey design, sampling, data management, quality assurance, and statistical analysis.
- Proven experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams and managing research activities, project timelines, and deliverables.
- Experience developing research proposals, preparing project budgets, and supporting project planning.
- Demonstrated experience engaging policymakers, government institutions, development partners, or other stakeholders on research and policy issues.
- Experience supporting fundraising activities and developing proposals for public or private donors.
- Familiarity with grants and contracts management, preferably within a research or international development organization.
- Experience working in sub-Saharan Africa is an advantage.
Required Skills and Competencies
The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following competencies:
- Research and analytical expertise: Strong understanding of impact evaluation methodologies, particularly RCTs and quasi-experimental designs, and the ability to maintain high research standards.
- Project management: Excellent organizational skills and the ability to coordinate multiple projects, manage competing deadlines, and deliver results.
- Leadership and supervision: Ability to guide, motivate, and develop research teams while fostering collaboration and accountability.
- Policy engagement: Strong understanding of policy processes and the ability to communicate research findings in ways that inform decision-making.
- Stakeholder management: Ability to build productive relationships with government officials, researchers, donors, implementing partners, and other stakeholders.
- Business development: Ability to identify research opportunities, develop project concepts, contribute to competitive proposals, and support resource mobilization.
- Financial and grant management: Ability to develop and monitor budgets, track project expenditures, and support compliance with donor and institutional requirements.
- Communication and presentation: Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, including the ability to present technical findings to diverse audiences.
- Problem-solving and initiative: Ability to anticipate challenges, develop practical solutions, and work independently with minimal supervision.
- Collaboration and adaptability: Ability to work effectively across teams, institutions, and sectors in a dynamic research environment.
- Commitment to evidence-based development: A strong interest in connecting rigorous research with practical solutions that improve development outcomes.
How to Apply
Apply online by clicking the application button.
Application Deadline: 30 October 2026
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