Initiative Associate, US Household Finance Initiative (New Haven, CT)

Reports to: Initiative Manager
Location: New Haven, CT
Deadline to apply: Applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis
Desired start date: November 2014

Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), is an international non-profit research organization. Based in New Haven, CT, with offices in New York, NY, Washington, D.C. and worldwide, IPA works with development partners and academic researchers to create and evaluate approaches to solving development problems, to communicate “what works” in development and to scale up successful projects in a variety of fields, including health, education, microfinance, governance and agriculture.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The core function of this role is to provide support for a three-phase information-gathering project to increase understanding of whether programs that are designed to build the financial capability of economically vulnerable consumers have positive outcomes for consumers. The project is currently in the randomized control trial phase, and entails conducting research activities including overseeing ongoing administrative data collection and endline survey work, and conducting data analysis in support of an evaluation with a St. Louis-based credit union. The role also involves assisting in developing and implementing new strategies for Initiative growth. These efforts include supporting initiative management on donor research, partner outreach, and grantwriting; communications in traditional and social media; and researcher support.

Responsibilities:

Data analysis: Conducting data analysis as data comes in from survey, partners, and administrative data sources, under Principal Investigator instruction

Training and Management: Coordinating with vendor survey firm on training and management of surveyors; train credit union staff on study

Monitoring: Monitor evaluation and data quality throughout implementation

Reporting: Provide regular reports to Principal Investigators, as well as monthly progress reports and quarterly in-person meetings with the donor agency

Coordination: Coordinate with study partners for ongoing data collection as well as a component of the intervention to be implemented midway through the project

Project Development: Support initiative on new project development by identifying partnership and funding opportunities relevant to initiative research agenda, and supporting on coordination and grantwriting. This may include conference attendance where appropriate

Social Media: Support initiative on publicity by engaging with social media and blogging on consumer finance field and initiative work, and supporting on initiative website content
Information Management: Utilize Salesforce for project management and project development tracking, as well as engaging in monthly team project development reporting through Salesforce

Documentation: Document best practices materials for evaluation development that can be used on future evaluations

Qualifications:

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including ability to effectively communicate with internal and external contacts
Demonstrated project management skills, including budgeting, attention to operational and research details, and ability to manage multiple projects efficiently
Excellent computer proficiency (MS Office – Word, Excel and Outlook)
Salesforce experience preferred
Familiar with randomized controlled trials required; experience managing RCTs in the field preferred
Stata experience preferred
Experience working with US government projects preferred
Familiarity with the US financial services sector preferred
Must be able to work under pressure and meet deadlines, while maintaining a positive attitude and providing exemplary customer service
Self-starter; Ability to work independently and to carry out assignments to completion within parameters of instructions given, prescribed routines, and standard accepted practices
Bachelor’s degree required
2 years of work experience preferred

Application Instructions:

1. To apply, please click here: https://workforcenow.adp.com/jobs/apply/posting.html?client=IPAORG&jobId=17308&lang=en_US

2. Complete the J-PAL/IPA common application: https://apply.povertyactionlab.org/login. Please select the position(s) you are interested in applying for on the 'Submit Application' page. Include two letters of recommendation, statement of purpose (cover letter), CV, and transcripts. We will consider your application even if you are unable to obtain reference letters before the deadline, but please be advised that we will be requiring them should you be invited for an interview.

Innovations for Poverty Action is an EO Employer-MF/Veteran/Disability. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected class.

IPA will endeavor to make a reasonable accommodation to a qualified applicant with a disability unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. If you believe you require such assistance to complete this form or to participate in an interview, please contact us at jobs@poverty-action.org or via phone at 1-203-772-2216.

DISCLAIMER:The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work to be performed by the Initiative Associate. The statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all possible duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary. Please note that IPA will never request any form of payment from an applicant. Applicants are encouraged to confirm the information listed above with IPA prior to releasing any extensive personal

** Please note that only qualified applicants will be contacted by the hiring manager.