(Senior) Associate, Embedded Labs
On-siteFreetown, Western Area, Sierra Leone
Job Summary
Senior Associate, Embedded Labs will collaborate with government partners in Sierra Leone to design and implement data collection and research activities (surveys, FGDs, interviews, case studies) to answer learning questions and improve programmes. The role supports MEL design, project management, and capacity-building efforts, producing policy briefs and evidence syntheses, and translating complex data into accessible insights. The position requires strong data analysis/visualization skills (Excel, Power BI/Tableau, Stata/R/SPSS), experience coordinating with government stakeholders in low-resource settings, and the ability to train staff and communicate findings to non-technical audiences. The work is based in Freetown with potential travel within Sierra Leone and involves embedding within government partner activities to advance IPA’s Embedded Evidence Labs program.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in international public policy, education, public health, social science, or a related field
- 2-5 years of relevant work experience
- Proficiency in advanced Microsoft Excel and platforms such as Power BI or Tableau
- Experience designing, strengthening, or implementing MEL systems (data collection, management, analysis)
- Proven ability to manage multiple programmes/workstreams and coordinate stakeholders
- Experience working with government stakeholders in a low-resource setting
- Excellent written and oral communication skills (non-technical)
- Positive, credible demeanor aligned with organizational values
- English fluency
- Proficiency in at least one statistical software package (Stata, R, SPSS) (preferred)
- Experience coaching/train others in statistics, data analysis, or MEL methodologies (preferred)
- Experience working with government counterparts (preferred)
- Experience with public health or education interventions (preferred)
- Sierra Leonean nationals strongly encouraged to apply (preferred)
Desired Qualifications
- Experience designing, strengthening, or implementing Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) systems
- Proficiency in data analysis and visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau, advanced Excel)
- Experience with statistical software (Stata, R, SPSS)
- Ability to translate complex data findings into accessible insights
- Experience working with government partners in low-resource settings
- Strong written and oral communication skills in English
- Ability to coach and train others in statistics or MEL methodologies
- Capacity to manage multiple workstreams and deliverables
- Experience with data collection (surveys, FGDs, interviews, case studies) and data quality assurance
- Policy-oriented research and producing briefs/evidence syntheses
- Cultural and political sensitivity; stakeholder coordination skills
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in related fields
- 2-5 years of relevant work experience
- Ability to travel within Sierra Leone and to work with diverse stakeholders
- Experience with program design and project management in development contexts
- Experience embedding labs or working with international development programs
- Proficiency in data visualization and data storytelling for non-technical audiences
- Experience working in international development or NGO environments
- Strong organizational and teamwork skills
- Fluency in English (required)
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