RFE Associate Director — Evidence Strategy & Impact

Innovations for Poverty Action; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Innovations for Poverty Action seeks an Associate Director for the Right-Fit Evidence Unit. The role leads a portfolio of advisory engagements, translating data into decisions by designing learning strategies and MEL systems.

The Associate Director will join the global leadership team and report to the RFE Director, guiding multiple engagements across sectors. With 7+ years in relevant roles, you will manage senior-level projects, contribute to business development, and mentor staff.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in international public policy, development economics, or related field with coursework in quantitative methods
• 7+ years of relevant work experience with complex engagements and business development
• Strong analytical, quantitative, and structured problem‑solving skills
• Experience translating business questions into analytical frameworks and metrics
• Experience designing and managing evidence, learning, monitoring, and evaluation strategies
• Familiarity with M&E debates and evidence for decision‑making
• Strong stakeholder management and client-facing communication skills
• Experience mentoring team members and managing projects/people
• Experience in low- and middle‑income countries
• Willingness to travel up to 20%
• Fluency in English
• Experience in consultancy or professional services (preferred)
• Expertise across international development and/or humanitarian sectors (preferred)
• Networking in international development or humanitarian sectors (preferred)
• Experience with philanthropy or government partners (preferred)
• Experience producing public policy goods for influence (preferred)
• Familiarity with various data collection/evaluation methods and matching methods to contexts (preferred)
• Interest in data science/AI approaches in M&E (preferred)
• Experience with tech-first implementing organizations (preferred)
• Familiarity with M&E tech (Salesforce, MIS) and data tools (SurveyCTO, ODK, Taroworks) (preferred)
• Experience leading program evaluations and familiarity with RCTs (preferred)
• Professional proficiency in French and/or Spanish (preferred)
• Lived experience in LMICs (preferred)

Responsibilities

• Lead portfolio of advisory engagements (65–75%) for diverse clients
• Oversee workshops and design learning plans, MEL systems, and related deliverables
• Provide technical assistance to implement learning plans and strengthen MEL systems
• Support funders with governance, design, grant processes, and portfolio-level learning
• Lead communities of practice with implementers and funders
• Support IPA policy and country teams on technical engagements
• Mentor and develop Managers/Advisors on engagements

Skills

Stakeholder management

Project management

People management

Business development

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Education

Master's degree in international public policy or related field

Tools

Salesforce

SurveyCTO

ODK

Power BI

Tableau

SQL

Job description

Innovations for Poverty Action seeks an Associate Director for the Right-Fit Evidence Unit. The role leads a portfolio of advisory engagements, translating data into decisions by designing learning strategies and MEL systems.

The Associate Director will join the global leadership team and report to the RFE Director, guiding multiple engagements across sectors. With 7+ years in relevant roles, you will manage senior-level projects, contribute to business development, and mentor staff.