Associate Director, Right-Fit Evidence Unit

About the role

The Associate Director will lead a portfolio of evidence and learning advisory engagements for funders, implementers, and governments, helping turn data into decisions through learning strategies, M&E systems, and evidence‑driven outcomes. The role also contributes to the unit’s global strategy and public presence.

Key responsibilities

• Lead delivery of 3–5 concurrent advisory engagements across sectors such as education, health, agriculture, finance and livelihoods.
• Design and facilitate workshops on theory of change, learning plans and M&E, and produce written advisory deliverables.
• Provide technical assistance for learning plans, cost‑effectiveness analyses, A/B testing and MEL system strengthening.
• Support funders ranging from individuals to global foundations on learning systems, grantmaking and portfolio‑level learning.
• Mentor and manage multiple managers and advisors, overseeing performance and professional development.
• Develop new business opportunities, represent IPA at conferences and contribute to thought leadership and public‑goods production.

Required profile

• Master’s degree in public policy, development economics or related field; PhD or MBA welcomed.
• Minimum 7 years of experience managing complex advisory engagements and business development.
• Extensive experience designing and managing evidence, learning, monitoring and evaluation strategies.
• Strong stakeholder management, client‑facing communication and ability to present insights clearly.
• Proven project and people management experience, including coaching technical staff.
• Willingness to travel up to 20% and work in low‑ and middle‑income country contexts.

Required skills

• Quantitative analysis and structured problem‑solving.
• Cost‑effectiveness analysis, A/B testing, mixed‑methods evaluation design.
• Data‑management tools such as Salesforce, management information systems.
• Data‑collection platforms like SurveyCTO, ODK, Taroworks.
• Data‑visualisation tools including Power BI, Tableau, SQL.