Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) is a U.S. non-governmental organisation dedicated to creating, evaluating, and replicating innovative solutions to poverty and policy problems worldwide. IPA specialises in using randomised impact evaluation to assess the effectiveness of development programmes.  IPA has experience of working in over 40 countries, and of evaluating programmes implemented by government, civil society, and private sector partners in sectors such as health, education, and financial inclusion.  IPA has been operating in Ghana for over 5 years, and has offices in Accra and Tamale.

Job Summary

The National Apprenticeship Programme

Project Description
The National Apprenticeship Programme (NAP) is a component of the Government of Ghana’s national strategy to address youth unemployment. It is designed to support young people to undertake a one-year apprenticeship in a trade of their choice. The Program is being implemented by the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET), in collaboration with district officials from the Ghana Education Service (GES) and with support from Trade Associations nationwide. In 2012, the NAP launched its second year of apprenticeships in over 100 districts in all 10 regions of Ghana.

In 2012 IPA signed a memorandum of partnership (MoP) with COTVET mandating it to conduct an independent impact evaluation of the NAP.  The evaluation employs a randomised control trial methodology, using a nationally representative sample.  The duration of the evaluation is 5 years and it is hoped that this will allow IPA to measure the medium- to long-term labour market impacts of the programme.

In 2012-2013 the NAP team conducted baseline surveys with apprentices and master trainers and worked with programme implementers to oversee the process of pairing apprentices to qualified master trainers.  In 2014 the team has conducted a series of midline surveys with the master trainers, monitored the uptake and progress of the apprenticeships, and will implement an additional incentives package for master trainers.

Position Profile and Purpose
The Evaluation Coordinator will ensure compliance to research ethics, assist the PIs in the design of survey instruments, coordinate surveyor training and surveying activities, and be responsible for the collection of high quality data. S/he will also manage recruitment, finances and payroll for surveying and evaluation activities.  Although the Evaluation Coordinator will primarily focus on evaluation activities, s/he may also be required to provide support to colleagues for NAP implementation activities during busy periods. This is a two year position.

Location
Accra.  Frequent travel around all 10 regions of Ghana will be required.

Line Manager(s)
Yani Tyskerud, Project Coordinator

Supervisory/Line Management Responsibilities
Field Managers, Team Leaders, Surveyors, and Interns.

Job Summary
Research Management

•   Plan, conduct and lead research project activities including training field staff, team planning and logistics, data collection, and facilitating workshops and focus groups discussions;
•   Conduct pilot survey exercises, provide feedback on field operations and survey instruments, and refine and finalise survey instruments in collaboration with colleagues and PIs;
•   Provide quality control during the data collection and cleaning processes, and assist in preparing preliminary analysis;
•   Ensure that research data and outputs are stored in a confidential and systematic fashion;
•   Lead qualitative research activities to inform research and implementation design and complement quantitative data;
•   Assist in the preparation of research reports, briefs and other documents for staff and management, the PIs, NAP donors and other external parties.

Project Management, Planning and Administration

•   Work with NAP colleagues to design monthly, quarterly and annual project plans;
•   Assist with the planning, development and execution of meetings, training sessions and other events.
•   Human Resource Management
•   Manage short term staff recruitment, contract preparation, training, management and evaluation of field staff and interns, and updating the surveyor database;
•   Comply with and assist in the enforcement of all IPA Ghana human resource and security policies;
•   Support colleagues and interns in working towards achieving their professional development objectives.

Policy Influencing

•   Attend and present at conferences, workshops, and events to raise the profile of the NAP evaluation amongst policy makers and representatives from the government, civil society and private sector;
•   Develop policy notes, blog posts, and briefing reports to facilitate regular communication with stakeholders and policy makers.
•   Financial Management
•   Develop activity-specific budgets for project work;
•   Work with IPA Ghana’s Finance Team and NAP colleagues to keep detailed records of all project activities and establish systems to ensure the efficient disbursement and reconciliation of project funds.

Program Implementation

•   Develop strong links with partner organizations and stakeholders at the national, regional and district level;
•   Support colleagues in the design and implementation of an incentives program for master trainers with the objective of improving apprentice training quality;
•   Contribute towards the development and maintenance of systems to ensure the accuracy of implementation data.

Reporting Requirements
Weekly reports to be submitted to the Project Coordinator.

Qualification Required & Experience

•   A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in economics, development studies, political science, public policy, other social sciences or a related field;
•   At least two years of experience of project management, preferably in relation to supervising, designing, and implementing data collection and/or field work activities, and managing teams of field staff;
•   The ability to outline project objectives and to plan work in a structured and systematic manner in alignment with stated objectives, assessing progress and making changes to project plans to reflect changing timelines and field realities;
•   Strong computer skills including proficiency in MS Word, MS Excel and email;
•   Quantitative data processing and analysis skills and the ability to use relevant software packages such STATA and/or SPSS;
•   Excellent spoken and written English and the capacity to draft in-depth and comprehensive emails and reports;
•   The ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences including the Principal Investigators and Senior Management at IPA, government officials at the district and regional level, Trade Associations, program participants, and field staff;
•   Demonstrated experience in budgeting and financial management skills;
•   Excellent problem solving and analytical skills and a strong attention to detail;
•   Outstanding interpersonal skills and capable of working effectively in a diverse team;
•   Demonstrated ability to prioritise tasks, work under pressure and meet deadlines, often with limited supervision;
•   Strong organisational and administrative skills;
•   Oral proficiency in Twi and Fante, Ga, or Ewe;
•   An understanding of, and a commitment to, the principles of research ethics;
•   A commitment to IPA’s vision and mission;
•   A knowledge of, and interest in, the education sector in Ghana is preferred.

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

Please submit the following by email to:-

jobs-ghana@poverty-action.org

Closing Date: 18 July, 2014

•   CV, including contact information
•   Cover letter/Letter of Intent
•   Three employment references

The subject line of the email should read; NAP Evaluation Coordinator.

•   All documents should be submitted as attachments, and the file names should include the name of the applicant.
•   The documents may be submitted in MS Word or PDF format.
•   Applicants who are selected for an interview will be contacted by email or phone.

Note: Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview.