Manager, Right-Fit Evidence

Role Overview

Managers in IPA’s Right-Fit Evidence (RFE) Unit lead advisory projects that help development and humanitarian organizations make better decisions using evidence, data, and learning. They oversee several client engagements at once, guide teams in designing practical monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) approaches, and support partners ranging from implementers to funders and government agencies.

The role combines client delivery with team leadership, business development, and contributions to RFE’s services and strategy. Managers supervise one or two Advisors and report to an RFE Associate Director or Director, working closely with colleagues across IPA’s global and country-office teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and delivery of two to three advisory engagements at a time, tailoring support to each partner’s evidence, learning, and MEL priorities across sectors such as education, technology, agriculture, and livelihoods.
• Serve as a primary client contact, coordinate project teams, and maintain the quality, relevance, and timely completion of project work.
• Facilitate workshops and provide technical guidance on topics such as theories of change, learning plans, evaluation design, cost-effectiveness, A/B testing, MEL systems, portfolio measurement, data use, and evidence reviews.
• Manage and coach Advisors working on client projects, supporting their technical contribution and professional development.
• Advise IPA policy and country-office teams on technical assistance, including engagements with government partners.
• Track project budgets and manage finances so agreed outputs meet quality standards and remain within budget.
• Help identify new opportunities by connecting partner needs with IPA’s research, sector, and policy expertise; coordinate proposal development and engage with prospective or current funders.
• Contribute to RFE products, public resources, and strategic priorities, while strengthening team systems and fostering a constructive working environment.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Master’s degree in international public policy, development economics, or a related discipline, with quantitative-methods coursework; an MBA is also considered.
• At least four years of relevant experience in areas such as public-sector monitoring and evaluation, education policy or program management, organizational performance, research and development, operational research, consulting, or professional services.
• Experience designing or managing evidence, learning, monitoring, and evaluation strategies or systems.
• Strong analytical, quantitative, and conceptual skills, with the ability to assess different data and evaluation methods and select approaches suited to the context.
• Demonstrated project and people-management capability, including experience coaching or training others on technical topics.
• Confident client-facing communication and stakeholder-management skills, including the ability to present complex information clearly in writing and in person.
• Relevant experience in low- and middle-income countries and familiarity with international discussions about MEL and evidence-informed decisions.
• Fluent written and spoken English; willingness and ability to travel internationally up to 20%.
• A proactive, adaptable approach, strong organizational skills, and a commitment to making data-informed decisions more common in international development.
• Preferred: consulting or similar advisory experience; work with government or philanthropic partners; expertise in development or humanitarian sectors, especially education, health, or technology; or experience creating and sharing resources for policy influence.
• Preferred: specialist MEL expertise, evaluation leadership, qualitative research experience, familiarity with randomized controlled trials, or experience using data-collection platforms such as SurveyCTO or ODK.
• Preferred: professional proficiency in Spanish, French, or Portuguese, and lived experience in Africa or another low- or middle-income country.