Posts
Project: Framing Cash Grants
Location: Uganda
Desired Start Date and Duration: April/ May 1, 2013; 8 months commitment with the possibility of extending
About this Job
Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), is an international non-profit research organization. Based in New Haven, CT, with offices in Washington, D.C. and worldwide, IPA works with development partners and academic researchers to create and evaluate approaches to solving development problems, to communicate “what works” in development and to scale up successful projects in a variety of fields, including health, education, microfinance, governance and agriculture.
Position Summary
Innovations for Poverty Action seeks qualified applicants for the position of Project Associate to assist on research that tests different ways to deliver cash transfers to HIV/AIDS patients in Uganda. The Project Associate will work closely with academic researchers to conduct the implementation and data collection exercises of a cash transfer program in a network of HIV/AIDS clinics.
Project Description
With the success of increased anti-retroviral (ARV) distribution throughout Africa, HIV positive individuals are now living longer, healthier lives. Consequently, policy is shifting to focus on improving long-term livelihoods for this oftentimes stigmatized population. One way to do so is through cash transfers. Unconditional cash transfers are being implemented across a variety of development projects as a way to help households pay down debt, invest in income generating activities, smooth consumption, and/or overcome shocks. Instead of simply measuring the returns to capital from these transfers, we will be testing how the various methods of framing the grants to recipients affect the way the money is spent and the impact on livelihoods.
Can we change the way grants are used and the returns to capital through varying amount of preparation and planning participants undergo before the grant is received? What social pressures keep individuals from spending money effectively? Can discussing a grant before receiving it help people to anticipate temptation and spend their money in more efficient ways?
Responsibilities
- Administering the program and creating an implementation plan along with current Project Associate, including managing the cash disbursements to all study participants. The current and new Project Associates will overlap for a period of 3-4 months to ensure a smooth transition and to jointly oversee both the program implementation and the first phases of the midline data collection.
- Overseeing six midline data collections of 2500HIV/AIDS patients each, first with current Project Associate and then singly,
- Developing and piloting the survey instruments; programming questions onto a mobile phone; managing the translation of the survey into the local languages,
- Hiring, training, and managing field teams of 60-75 staff members in total that will conduct the midline surveys ,
- Managing all field logistics, procuring products, and ensuring the study has approvals from local authorities,
- Managing the project data from collection in clinics to delivery of a final, cleaned dataset,
- Ensuring adherence to IPA and study protocols, including auditing enumerators and performing daily checks of the incoming data; correcting the errors of staff iteratively to ensure the data is of the highest quality,
- Managing the budget, including tracking all expenses to ensure costs are within project funds,,
- Writing regular progress reports and a final midline report,
- Working closely with NGO partners running the program to ensure study protocols are followed.
Desired Qualifications and Experience
- A Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) in economics, statistics, public health, or related field
- Minimum one year relevant experience in research or program management, two-three years relevant experience preferred
- Some knowledge of Stata required; programming and other technical knowledge a strong plus
- Experience living in a developing country is a strong plus
- Excellent management and organizational skills along with strong quantitative skills
- Fluency and excellent communication skills in English
- Flexible, self-motivating, able to manage multiple tasks efficiently, and a team player
- Familiarity with randomized controlled trials preferred
- Experience with personnel management preferred
How to Apply
Please follow the application instructions below. Any applications or CVs submitted outside this process will not be considered. Note, only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview. Applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
1) Send an email to jobs@poverty-action.org and jobs-uganda@poverty-action.org, following the instructions below:
In the subject line: Copy exactly the following position line: 100871IPA, PA Framing Cash Grants
Attachments: Please attach ONLY your CV and cover letter.
In the email body: Put your full name, first (given) name followed by last (family) name
Please do not include any text besides the position line(s) in the body of the e-mail. Adding extra text will interfere with the processing of your application.
2) Complete the J-PAL/IPA common application indicating that you are interested in applying for a "Type 1: Research Analyst or Project Associate" position. Please note: you are not required to include transcripts or letters of recommendation upon initial submission. After submitting, you can edit your application at any time and may add these.
IPA is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer
All persons shall have the opportunity to be considered for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, alienage or citizenship status, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
IPA will endeavor to make a reasonable accommodation to a qualified applicant with a disability unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. If you believe you require such assistance to complete this form or to participate in an interview, please contact us at jobs@poverty-action.org.
Deadline: April 30, 2013
