(Associate) Program Manager, Education Sector

About the role

Innovation for Poverty Action (IPA) is hiring an (Associate) Program Manager for its Education Sector team in Nairobi. The role focuses on supporting the SCALE project, a multi-country initiative delivered with the UK FCDO and implementing partners that scales effective education interventions. The manager coordinates research and policy activities across principal investigators, IPA country offices, implementing partners and government stakeholders, and works with the Education Program Director on agenda setting, partnerships, outreach, communications and fundraising.

Key responsibilities

• Program management of education projects (80%): contribute to research design, oversight, data analysis and the writing of policy briefs, slide decks and other outputs; coordinate stakeholders and keep them aligned on timelines, roles and responsibilities; ensure adherence to workplans and give regular updates to the donor.
• Under the Education Program Director, help develop and implement SCALE studies, monitor budgets and timelines, and provide technical input.
• Communications (10%): develop project communications materials with communications and policy teams, and take part in external meetings and presentations to build relationships with donors, partners and academics, tracking them in Salesforce.
• Business development (10%): identify funding opportunities, help write proposals and budgets, and keep the Education BD tracker up to date.

Required profile

• Master's degree in international public policy, (development) economics or a related field, with coursework in quantitative methods.
• At least four years of relevant experience, including education research, policy engagement and program or research management.
• Experience with bilateral funders such as FCDO or USAID and with donors and in-country stakeholders.
• Preferred: first-hand experience in primary data collection, qualitative and quantitative analysis and mixed methods; experience with GEDSI education projects.

Required skills

• Familiarity with randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
• Project management, attention to detail and ability to handle multiple projects with minimal supervision.
• Excellent English, able to present information clearly and in a structured way.