Innovation for Poverty Action (IPA) Ghana: Survey Operations Coordinator

Innovation for Poverty Action (IPA) Ghana is part of a larger US based non-profit (501©(3)) organization founded in 2003 by Dean Karlan, with the goal of serving as the link between academic research and real world problems faced by the poor in developing countries.

IPA creates and evaluates approaches to solving development problems and works to scale up successful projects through implementation and dissemination of policymakers, practitioners, investors and donors around the world, to determine the cost effectiveness of poverty alleviation programs, using the most rigorous evaluation techniques. With 280 currently ongoing projects in 42 countries in Africa, Asia, and North and South America, IPA’s projects span a variety of fields, including microfinance, transfers, education, health, agriculture, corruption, charitable giving, political participation and social capital.

IPA is a registered NGO, in Ghana with 16 on-going projects, 40 international and local staff and permanent offices in Tamale and Accra.

Job Description

Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) seeks a qualified applicant for the position of Survey Operations Coordinator for IPA Ghana based in Tamale with frequent travel to remote satellite offices, Accra, Kumasi and other parts of Ghana.

The Survey Operations Coordinator will assist the research staff throughout the country by supporting data collection activities, training staff in IPA research protocols, collecting best practices from IPA offices world wide, maintaining IPA Ghana databases and acting as a resource person for IPA Ghana project teams.

This position provides an excellent opportunity to gain extensive hands‐on experience in a field setting, and to have significant management responsibility in a young, vibrant organization undertaking cutting‐edge development research.

The Survey Operations Coordinator will work closely with the research staff to design and execute survey plans, including hiring and training of survey teams, assisting in the piloting, establishing appropriate auditing, editing and tracking systems, and testing and finalizing of survey instruments.

The coordinator will also provide relevant inputs on local context and promote cross project learning. A major component of the job will be in quality control of data collection, with particular focus on data collection monitoring.

Responsibilities will also include maintaining a database of surveyors and other useful data collection contacts and resources. IPA Ghana is looking for someone who is detail-oriented and has excellent organizational skills and who will be committed to our high standards of data quality.

The position requires a candidate with strong leadership, networking, management, and communication skills. This position is expected to be based in Tamale with travel up to 65 percent of the time.

The Survey Operations Coordinator will report to the IPA Country Director and the relevant Research Staff.

Required Skills or Experience

• At least 2 years of experience working on qualitative and quantitative data collection at a management level is necessary.
• Extensive knowledge of quantitative data collection and a passion for learning best practices and innovations.
• In addition to English, knowledge of Dagbani plus at least one other local language is required. Ability to write in a local language is preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools is necessary.
• Familiarity and prior experience working in several parts of the country is preferred.
• A Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, Management, Social work, Demography or Development studies is preferred.
• Strong organizational and management skills.
• Strong communications skills.
• Interest in travelling and passion for poverty research.
• Attention to detail, ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently and work  effectively on a team

How To Apply