Associate Director, Research

Job summary

The Associate Director, Research is the lead for the research function in IPA Nigeria. This senior role provides both strategic direction and technical oversight for all studies in the country program. Reporting to the Country Director, the position manages all Research Managers, is accountable for the quality, compliance, and on-time completion of research projects, and may also take direct ownership of complex or high-priority studies. As part of the Nigeria leadership team, this role helps set research standards, shapes the country research agenda, builds team capability, and contributes significantly to business development and organizational growth.

About the organization

Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) is a research and policy nonprofit focused on identifying and scaling what works to improve the lives of people living in poverty. The organization connects researchers and decision-makers to design, test, and refine evidence-based solutions so findings can be translated into real-world impact. Since 2002, IPA has partnered with more than 600 academics and carried out over 1,000 evaluations across 52 countries, influencing programs that now reach millions of people.

Research portfolio oversight

• Take responsibility for the quality, delivery, and overall technical direction of all research projects in IPA Nigeria, including guiding the Research Managers who oversee individual portfolios.
• Regularly review project plans, data handling practices, and research protocols, and intervene when quality, compliance, or timeline issues arise.
• Make sure studies follow IPA standards for sampling, random assignment, data protection, and ethical requirements.
• Examine and sign off on major outputs such as pre-analysis plans, data quality reports, and final analyses before they are shared with researchers or donors.
• Ensure donor deadlines and reporting obligations are met, and lead discussions with Principal Investigators and donors on important projects.
• When operational needs require it, directly run one or more research projects, acting as the main contact for the lead researcher and managing implementation, staff oversight, and project finances.

Research team leadership

• Supervise all Research Managers in the Nigeria office by setting expectations, holding regular one-on-one discussions, giving structured feedback, and completing performance evaluations.
• Spot development needs and create opportunities for managers to strengthen their skills in research design, data management, and leadership.
• Build a team culture centered on rigor, collaboration, and continuous improvement, while encouraging knowledge-sharing across projects.
• Provide teams with the tools, templates, and guidance needed to deliver studies according to IPA standards.
• Help design and deliver technical training for research staff, especially in statistical software, survey platforms, and research ethics.
• Serve as a senior leadership team member and contribute to office management, operational planning, cross-functional coordination, and organizational learning.

Research development and strategic positioning

• Partner with the Country Director to create and implement a country research strategy aligned with IPA’s global priorities and Nigeria’s policy environment.
• Identify new research opportunities, build relationships with researchers in Nigeria and abroad, and support strong donor proposals and study budgets from design through agreement review.
• Expand IPA Nigeria’s network by strengthening ties with Nigerian researchers and research institutions.
• Represent IPA Nigeria in external forums, policy conversations, and researcher meetings, positioning the office as a trusted and rigorous research partner.
• Help share research findings with government partners, civil society groups, and other stakeholders through policy briefs, presentations, and workshops.

Qualifications

• A master’s degree in development economics, economics, public policy, or a closely related discipline is required.
• A doctoral degree in a relevant field is preferred.
• At least 8 years of experience in research management, international development, or a related area, including at least 3 years supervising multiple teams or managers.
• Proven experience managing a portfolio of rigorous studies, including randomized controlled trials, from design to dissemination.
• Strong experience developing and supporting research staff, including direct supervision of Research Managers or similar mid-level professionals.
• Hands-on experience with survey design, field data collection, and large-scale data management.
• Solid quantitative research background and proficiency in at least one statistical tool such as Stata, R, or Python.
• Experience using survey programming tools such as SurveyCTO or ODK.
• Strong financial management capability, including oversight of multi-project budgets and donor compliance.
• Ability to build productive relationships with lead researchers, government counterparts, donors, and implementing partners.
• Excellent written and spoken English, with the ability to explain technical material to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong judgment, prioritization, and decision-making skills in a fast-moving environment with multiple concurrent projects.
• High cultural sensitivity and the ability to work effectively with diverse teams across different locations.
• Highly organized, detail-focused, and capable of solving problems independently with limited supervision.
• Previous experience working in Nigeria or West Africa is preferred.
• Experience contributing to donor proposals and research budgets is preferred.
• Experience communicating evidence to policy audiences, including government stakeholders and non-technical groups, is preferred.
• Experience designing or delivering technical training on statistics, data management, or research ethics is preferred.
• Familiarity with IPA research systems, including SurveyCTO, data security standards, and project management tools, is preferred.

Location and reporting

This role is based in Abuja, Nigeria. It requires occasional domestic travel and some international travel. The position reports to the Country Director, Nigeria.

Safeguarding

IPA is committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all people, especially children and vulnerable adults. Selected candidates will be expected to follow strict safeguarding standards and uphold ethical conduct, social responsibility, and dignity in all work.