We are seeking a Research Scientist to join Innovations for Poverty Action’s Applied Research & Methods (ARM) team. This health-focused role combines technical research, survey methodology, impact evaluation, and field research management, with a particular focus on large-scale infectious disease prevention programmes in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Research Scientist will lead coverage surveys, programme audits, and evaluations while contributing to a broader research agenda on malaria prevention and other high-impact health interventions.
Responsibilities
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Design coverage survey protocols and audit methodologies, including sampling strategies, questionnaires, and quality-control procedures.
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Serve as Principal Investigator for evaluations, surveys, data audits, and health facility data extraction and validation activities.
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Design and contribute to randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental impact evaluations.
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Provide technical guidance on health systems, including health facility operations, data availability, and data-quality constraints.
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Collaborate with the Survey Delivery Unit on data-collection platforms, field protocols, and quality-assurance procedures.
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Manage relationships with government health partners and programme stakeholders to facilitate data collection and research activities.
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Analyze and interpret survey, audit, and health programme data.
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Contribute to reports and research outputs for programme partners and funders.
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Supervise and mentor field research staff, including enumerators, field coordinators, and research associates.
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Develop research proposals, including study designs, budgets, and funder-facing narratives.
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Conduct technical quality reviews of proposals for new research studies.
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Contribute to the development and execution of IPA’s research agenda for high-impact health interventions.
Requirements
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PhD or equivalent qualification in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Public Health, Health Economics, or a related social science field.
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Strong expertise in health systems, including facility operations, data quality, and data extraction and validation methods.
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Demonstrated research or fieldwork experience in Sub-Saharan Africa.
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Experience developing research proposals, including study design and budgeting.
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Expertise in malaria or other infectious disease programmes is desirable.
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Expertise in public health measurement and data issues related to nutrition, WASH, vaccination, reproductive health, or family planning is desirable.
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Knowledge of health systems in Nigeria or other West African countries is desirable.
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Experience working in Nigeria or the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is desirable.
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Training and practical experience in field survey methods, including sampling design, is desirable.
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Experience managing culturally diverse research teams is desirable.
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Ability to design and implement randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is desirable.
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Publications in public health, malaria, measurement, or survey research methods are desirable.
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Experience teaching or leading workshops on measurement, sampling, or monitoring and evaluation is desirable.
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Ability to contribute to the growth of IPA’s health research portfolio.
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French language proficiency is desirable.
