Innovations for Poverty Action seeks a Research Associate to manage a project that will explore the role of intra-household bargaining on the take-up, usage and effects of an e-bank and savings account offered to women in Tanzania. The project is led by Nathan Fiala (University of Connecticut) and Rachel Steinacher (Innovations for Poverty Action).

The goal of this research is to understand how providing access to a financial product -while moderating potential social constraints preventing full utilization of the product- can improve financial inclusion and labor market choices for female entrepreneurs. To do so, we will enroll 3,200 female entrepreneurs/smallholder farmers into a study with three treatment groups. In the first arm, participants will be given a free private e-bank / savings account and in the second, they will be given a free, joint e-bank / savings account. In the third treatment arm, provision of a private or shared e-bank and savings account will be combined with the implementation of a household dynamics training with the participant and her spouse. The purpose of this training is to improve gender-inclusive decision making within the household. The study will take place over 2 years in peri-urban Tanzania.

The Research Associate will work closely with the Research Manager, Principal Investigators, staff from the implementing partners, and other IPA country office staff to oversee the implementation of the research study including the development and roll-out of the e-banking/savings and household dynamics training interventions. The position offers an opportunity to gain first-hand field management experience in an organization undertaking cutting-edge development research. The work will develop your analytical and management skills and require your full commitment in a challenging environment. This position will likely be based in Dar es Salaam and requires frequent travel to the field sites.
Responsibilities 
The Research Associate will perform a variety of tasks including, but not limited to:

• Leading the implementation of the research study including the enrollment of 3,200 women and executing a baseline and midline survey
• Managing budgets, timelines, contract worker payroll, and procurement
• Coordinating the process of signing up 2,400 female entrepreneurs into for e-banking/savings accounts; managing day-to-day relationship with Mobile Network Operator partner(s)
• Leading the adaptation and refinement of the household dynamics training for use in Tanzania; overseeing the implementation of this intervention
• Measuring and enforcing adherence to data quality protocols, including auditing enumerators, monitoring data collection, and conducting data quality audits;
• Developing reports and deliverables for donors
• Managing relationships with key stakeholders
• Writing reports detailing research findings and proposed interventions;
• Performing related duties as assigned by supervisor; and
• Maintaining compliance with IPA policies and procedures

Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree in economics, international development, public policy or related fields; Master's Degree an advantage
• Excellent project management and organizational skills; meticulous attention to detail
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English; communication skills in KiSwahili an advantage
• A strong understanding of research methods and prior training/experience in conducting quantitative research
• Proficiency in Stata or similar data analysis software and MS Office
• Creativity and intellectual curiosity in experimental methods, ability to find quick and effective solutions to unforeseen
• circumstances
• Flexible, independent, self-motivating, ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently and work under pressure
• Interest in financial inclusion, promotion of gender equity, and economic development
• Ability to work in a diverse, multi-cultural environment