About Innovations for Poverty Action: is a non-profit organization dedicated to discovering and promoting effective solutions to global poverty problems.
In close partnership with decision makers — the policymakers, practitioners, investors, and donors working with the poor around the world — IPA designs and evaluates potential solutions to poverty problems using randomized evaluations, the most rigorous evaluation method available.
We also mobilize and support these decision makers to use these solutions to build better programs and policies at scale
About the Project: The Rural Electric Power Project (REPP) is a research project based at UC Berkeley to study the impacts of electrification for “under grid” households and businesses in Western Kenya. Over the past two years, we have laid the foundation for a randomized evaluation of electricity access.
Over the next year, we will develop a comprehensive endline survey instrument and administer a follow-up survey round involving up to 4,000 households, as well as neighboring businesses.
Our academic objective is to study issues relating to energy poverty. Therefore, the specifics of our plans may evolve as new opportunities and ideas arise.
The Research Associate will gain first-hand field experience in an organization undertaking cutting-edge development research.
The position will be located in Busia or Siaya town, Western Kenya.
Principal investigators are Professors Edward Miguel (UC Berkeley), Catherine Wolfram (UC Berkeley), and Ken Lee, a graduate student at UC Berkeley.
The RA will be responsible for managing a field staff of 10 to 20 Kenyan nationals.
Responsibilities:
Implementation of the research plan;
Refining study protocols;
Designing programming, and piloting existing and future surveys using Survey CTO (a platform built on Open Data Kit)
Quality control, data cleaning and analysis;
Tracking expenditures and preparing financial reports
Drafting grant summaries and reports;
Building and maintaining relationships with key local partners,
Coordinating a weekly call with the UC Berkeley team, among others.
Required Qualifications and Characteristics
Bachelor’s degree in economics, social sciences, public policy, or a related field
Strong desire to pursue a PhD in development economics or a related field
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently
Excellent attention to detail
Flexible, self-motivating, and able to solve unexpected problems
Strong quantitative and data analysis skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
Strong track record of delivering results
Desired Qualifications and Characteristics
Fluent in (or desire to learn) Swahili
Experience living in rural Kenya or similar environment
Working knowledge of STATA (strongly preferred) or other data analysis software
Familiarity with randomized controlled trials
Demonstrated experience leading and managing a team
How to Apply:
In a single PDF, please attach your resume and a brief cover letter summarizing your qualifications and interest in the position.
Your CV should include your scores or grades and other measures of academic achievement, and details about any relevant work experience.
In addition to the above application procedure applications must be submitted only by email to jobs-kenya@poverty-action.org.
Please ensure that the subject line reads: “RESEARCH ASSOCIATE.” REF NO: REPP-2015-09-01.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview.
Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as applications will be reviewed on a ROLLING BASIS.
Deadline to Apply: 5th October 2015