The purpose of the study is to measure the effect of foreigner presence on responses in surveys. We are interested in how the presence of a foreigner on the research team affects the way respondents respond to questions about six sets of outcomes: wealth, attitudes toward foreign aid, attitudes toward foreign involvement in the economy, identity, political dissent and cultural values.
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The intervention will randomly expose villages to one of three experimental arms. In the control group, there will be no pre-survey research conducted in the village (aside from any short logistical visits necessary to secure permissions). In the qualitative research group, there will be one day of focus groups and elite interviews conducted by an exclusively Tanzanian field team approximately one week before the household survey. In the foreigner plus qualitative research group, there will be one day of focus groups and elite interviews conducted by a field team that includes one foreigner approximately one week before the household survey. A foreigner will not be present in any villages during the conduct of the household survey. We will be able to measure the effects of qualitative research in advance of surveys on survey responses by comparing household survey responses in experimental conditions qualitative research group and control. We will be able to measure the effects of foreigner inclusion in research teams by comparing both qualitative responses and household survey responses in experimental conditions foreigner plus qualitative research group and qualitative research group.
The Research Associate’s main responsibility will be to coordinate and supervise the day-to-day implementation of the evaluation. The Research Associate will report to the Research Manager for IPA-Tanzania as direct supervisor and work closely with Katharine Baldwin (Yale University).
Responsibilities
Effective Cooperation
Provide daily coordination between the research team and counterparts, ensuring that concerns are effectively communicated between parties, flagging emerging issues that may be of potential concern to parties, and ensuring that effective and productive collaboration is maintained;
Interact with the government of Tanzania, local authorities and other partners on evaluation-related issues;
Help ensure that targets are met on time, and that all activities are carried out in accordance with the study design.
Impact Evaluation Field Coordination and Supervision
Developing and piloting the survey instruments, including programming questions onto a mobile phone/tablet and managing the translation of the survey into local languages;
Hiring, training, and managing field teams who will conduct the interviews and implement the intervention monitoring;
Managing all field logistics, procuring equipment, and ensuring the study and the intervention have approvals from local authorities;
Overseeing all the data collection and ensure strict application of security measures on the field
Ensuring all data quality protocols are followed including auditing enumerators and performing daily checks of the incoming data; correcting the errors of staff iteratively to ensure the data is of the highest quality;
Managing the data from collection to delivery of a final, cleaned dataset;
Managing the budget including tracking all expenses to ensure costs are within project funds;
Writing regular progress reports and leading project meetings to ensure deadlines are met.
Data analysis and reporting
Assist in the analysis of the survey data, and the writing of project reports and policy memos;
Prepare written reports with feedback and analysis on the piloting and fielding of survey and other measurement instruments;
Qualifications
A bachelor’s degree in economics, social sciences, public policy, or related field is required
Excellent management and organization skills, along with keen attention to details
Demonstrated ability to successfully manage a complex plan with quick-moving parts
Knowledge of and experience working with a statistics software package is required (Stata is strongly preferred)
Experience managing logistics and budgets for complex/dynamic projects is preferred
Strong interest in economic and quantitative research
Flexible, self-motivating, able to manage multiple tasks efficiently, and team player
Demonstrated ability to manage high-level relationships with partner organizations
Fluency in English, with strong communication skills in both; working knowledge of KiSwahili is preferred
We strongly encourage Tanzanian candidates who possess the required skills to apply for this position.
Application Instructions
Complete the J-PAL/IPA common application. After completing a brief registration, choose the Research job category, then select “Research Associate, Foreigner Effects in Field Work”. Most applications for research positions require you to include at minimum two letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose (cover letter), CV, and transcripts.
Note that you are able to submit your application before your references complete their recommendation letters; however, you must include their contact information before submitting your application.
Given the volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.
About IPA
Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) is a research and policy nonprofit that discovers and promotes effective solutions to global poverty problems. IPA brings together researchers and decision-makers to design, rigorously evaluate, and refine these solutions and their applications, ensuring that the evidence created is used to improve the lives of the world’s poor. In recent decades, trillions of dollars have been spent on programs designed to reduce global poverty, but clear evidence on which programs succeed is rare, and when evidence does exist, decision-makers often do not know about it. IPA exists to bring together leading researchers and these decision-makers to ensure that the evidence we create leads to tangible impact on the world. Since its founding in 2002, IPA has worked with over 575 leading academics to conduct over 650 evaluations in 51 countries. This research has informed hundreds of successful programs that now impact millions of individuals worldwide.
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Disclaimers
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 [email protected] 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 specified position. 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 information to the organization. Please direct questions to [email protected].
** Please note that only qualified applicants will be contacted by the hiring manager.
