Organization: J-PAL South Asia at IFMR
Position: Senior Training Manager
Start Date: At the earliest
Length of Commitment: Two years
Location: Delhi
Minimum Eligibility Requirements:
Educational Qualification: Advanced degree and strong transcript, preferably in economics, public policy or international development, from a leading university.
Experience: Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in managerial, technical, or teaching positions, with focus in project formulation, programme design, programme implementation, and evaluation and monitoring,. Preference will be given to candidates with work experience in India or other South Asian countries.
Skills required:
Monitoring and evaluation technical skills: Strong M&E skills as demonstrated by professional and academic experience. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in impact evaluations including randomized control trials and evaluation capacity-building.
Understanding of the use of evidence in decision-making: Keen understanding of the value of evidence for policy decisions demonstrated by professional or academic experience.
Communication: Attention to detail and advanced writing and presentation skills for communicating policy lessons from academic papers and evaluations, as well as M&E fundamentals and randomized evaluation methodology, in ways that policymakers understand. This requires clear, precise, non-technical writing, and creativity in presentation.
Time Management: Proven ability to handle several different projects/tasks at one time, successfully complete tasks assigned, and meet deadlines. A willingness to work hard, be self-motivated and learn will be essential for doing well in this position.
Language Requirement: English
Job Description: The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab South Asia (J-PAL SA) regional office is based at the Institute for Financial Management and Research (IFMR). J-PAL is globally headquartered within the Economics Department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). J-PAL SA is one of six independent regional offices based around the world hosted at local universities. Capacity building, along with research based on randomized evaluations and evidenced-based policy advocacy, is one of J-PAL’s three core objectives.
J-PAL SA at IFMR has hosted the South Asia Regional Centre for Learning on Evaluation and Results (CLEAR) since April 2011. CLEAR South Asia is one of five regional centres established through an initiative coordinated by the World Bank’s Independent Evaluation Group. The vision of CLEAR is to support development anchored in evidence, learning and mutual accountability by improving regional supply and demand of quality monitoring & evaluation (M&E) and performance management services. Please see http://www.clearsouthasia.org for more information on CLEAR SA.
As host of the CLEAR South Asia Centre, J-PAL SA at IFMR covers India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, offering capacity building services in high-quality evaluation to policymakers, governments, foundations, international development organizations, civil society, and M&E practitioners. It provides open-enrolment trainings, custom trainings, and advisory services to organizations and individuals. Knowledge production and developing stronger M&E systems and networks are other areas of focus. The goal of CLEAR South Asia is to support the use of high-quality M&E for evidence-based decision-making by policymakers. Building demand for good evaluation from policymakers is as important an aim of the centre as improving M&E systems and building knowledge and skills of good evaluation practices.
Roles and Responsibilities: The Senior Manager-Training will play a critical role in leading and guiding the training team. The Senior Manager-Training will support the Associate Director (AD) of Training in the management and guidance of the CLEAR South Asia regional centre strategy and liaise with the CLEAR Global Hub team at the World Bank’s Independent Evaluation Group. The Senior Manager-Training will report directly to the AD-Training, and will work closely with the Policy team at J-PAL SA and the Training team at J-PAL Global. The Senior Manager-Training will assist the AD-Training with the oversight of an 8-10 member team of Managers and Associates.
The Senior Manager-Training will perform a variety of tasks, including but not limited to:
> Strategy
— Together with AD-Training, drive CLEAR South Asia’s strategy and target outcomes in collaboration with CLEAR SA Regional Advisory Committee, CLEAR Secretariat, IFMR, and J-PAL Global training team. Strategy will include developing regional M&E champions, building demand of policymakers for high-quality evaluations, institutionalizing M&E courses within J-PAL SA and IFMR, advocating better M&E practice and use, working with strategic government and civil society partners, and building sustainability for the CLEAR Centre.
— Networking with the regional and global M&E community.
— Together with AD-Training, expand CLEAR South Asia’s strategic partnerships with organisations and individuals to help CLEAR and J-PAL SA expand its reach across India and South Asia.
— Author knowledge products and publications related to Monitoring and Evaluation, in coordination with CLEAR and J-PAL.
> Execution: Technical and Management
— Oversee implementation of training team work plan, including high-quality courses, advisory services, and knowledge products. This involves scheduling of activities, work allocation, and post-activity reviews.
— Participate in creating and delivering content focused on M&E, with a strong focus on randomised evaluation methodology, measurement theory, and survey design.
— Oversee administration of CLEAR grant, supporting Project Manager (CLEAR), including financial tracking and reporting.
— Execute a results-based management system for CLEAR South Asia’s operations.
— Maintain and develop existing relationships with current partners and clients (including Accountability Initiative, BRAC, CoE, IES, SLEVA, UNICEF) and through continuation of annual Regional Advisory Committee meetings.
— Help maintain a balanced portfolio of activities, including new activities such as engaging young researchers.
— Be an integral part of the J-PAL SA management (with Scientific Directors, Executive Directors, Deputy Director, and Associate Directors) and play a key role in contributing to the long term planning and policy decisions of the organisation.
> People management
— Manage and mentor a team of Managers and Associates, giving them support to perform strongly and prioritizing their learning and skill development. This involves finalizing 2017-2018 work plans and expected results for training team members’ performance assessments.
— Together with Training Manager, hire a successor for AD-Training by the end of the fiscal year (preference for as early as possible) and train this person while continuing to support the current AD-training with responsibility and leadership of the team.
Application Process: Complete the J-PAL/IPA Common Application. After completing a brief registration, choose the Research job category, then select “Senior Manager, Training – J-PAL South Asia”. Include two letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose (cover letter), CV, and transcripts.
Additionally, please submit the following documents in PDF format via email at jpalsajobs@povertyactionlab.org:
Please include (1) a cover letter clearly addressing your qualifications for the various responsibilities listed above, (2) Curriculum Vitae (Resume), and (3) transcripts of your undergraduate and graduate courses (including course names and grades). Applicants may be asked to complete a policy analysis and writing exercise.
In the subject line: Put your full name, first (given) name followed by last (family) name.
In the email body: Copy exactly the following position line:
J-PAL South Asia, Senior Manager – Training
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Interested candidates are advised to apply at the earliest. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for a written test and subsequently, for interviews.
Last date to apply: 08 March 2017
Note:
— Please do not include any text besides the position line(s) in the body of the e-mail. Adding extra text will interfere with the processing of your application.
— J-PAL South Asia is looking to fill this position at the earliest.
