Job description

About IDinsight

IDinsight is a mission-driven global advisory, data analytics, and research organization that helps global development leaders maximize their social impact. They tailor a wide range of data and evidence tools, including randomized evaluations and machine learning, to help decision-makers design effective programs and rigorously test what works to support communities. They work with governments, multilateral agencies, foundations, and innovative non-profit organizations in Asia and Africa. Their work spans a wide range of sectors, including agriculture, education, health, governance, sanitation, financial inclusion, and other areas.

They amplify social impact by partnering with leaders to develop tailored solutions. Their mission being using data and evidence to help leaders combat poverty worldwide. They have expertise in a variety of rigorous approaches and methodologies, which they tailor to each client depending on their needs and constraints. To achieve a positive social impact, they:

• Support clients’ use of data and evidence for routine and major decision-making.
• Inform funding decisions – toward high-impact initiatives and away from less effective programs or approaches.
• Create and share tools, knowledge, and ideas that expand the use of data and evidence for social good.

IDinsight’s diverse, growing team of 200+ outstanding colleagues operates in nearly two dozen countries around the world. Learn more about their mission and values by visiting their website.  

About the role

Managers are dynamic, diverse leaders who are passionate about making a difference, possess exceptional analytical skills and thrive in an entrepreneurial, developing country setting. IDinsight invests heavily in their employees’ professional development and expects them to think critically and creatively about how to maximize IDinsight’s clients’ social impact. 

For this specific role, IDinsight is seeking managers with a depth of experience in Public Financial Management, ideally with national and subnational Governments in East and Southern Africa. IDinsight is working to support public sector actors in Kenya in using data and evidence to connect Public Financial Management and Service Delivery. Therefore they are particularly looking for Managers who have the ability to combine technical experience with sector-specific knowledge in order to inform policymaking at national and subnational levels.

Further, the position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya, with significant in-country and some international travel depending on project needs and organizational expansion. 

Key Responsibilities:

Managing client relations 

• Managers oversee all aspects of client engagements (with support from an IDinsight Director) in order to produce high-quality outputs, but more importantly, to drive each client to achieve its social impact goals. Towards this end, Managers are expected to develop a diverse skill set, including establishing trusted advisor relationships with clients, mentoring high-performing early professionals (Associates), developing expertise in a broad range of econometric, data, monitoring, and field experiment tools, and overseeing all project and/or office-related safety & security risk management for their team members. 
• Managers establish themselves as experts and trusted advisors to IDinsight clients. Managers use this position to provide high-quality counsel and support based on rigorous evidence for senior leaders in governments, foundations, NGOs, and socially impactful businesses. 

Overseeing projects and providing technical expertise 

• Managers harness and direct the intellectual horsepower fueling IDinsight project teams. Managers lead all elements of IDinsight evaluation and advisory projects, including evaluation design, project management, oversight of analytical processes, engagement of internal and external experts, and construction of high-quality communication materials, including policy briefs, technical reports, and presentation materials. Managers need not be Stata wizards but must be able to develop a deep and nuanced understanding of how econometric, data, and field experiment tools can be tailored to client needs. 

Mentoring junior staff members 

• Managers have the opportunity to professionally develop IDinsight Associates in order to help them achieve their long-term career goals. Associates have exceptional raw talent and are very energetic to learn from Managers in order to hone various skills. 

Contributing to organizational growth 

• Managers are encouraged to contribute to IDinsight's organizational development by helping to improve and refine the IDinsight approach, develop new client engagements, oversee country offices, and the potential to help open new IDinsight offices or start new services. 

Does this sound like you?

• 4-8 years of relevant work experience, including managerial experience in Eastern or Southern Africa.  
• Post-graduate degree, preferably in public policy, economics, public administration, international development, and business. 
• Demonstrated interest in the use of evidence, rigorous impact measurement, and data to improve international development policies and programs. 
• Experience working in Public Financial Management and/or working with public sector partners on the national and county level in Kenya is strongly preferred. 
• Outstanding quantitative and critical thinking skills, with a nuanced understanding of econometric, data, and field experiment tools, including but not limited to statistical software. 
• Outstanding project management skills, including experience managing and overseeing large budgets, multiple workstreams, and multiple stakeholders concurrently.  
• Outstanding interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills with senior officials. 
• Proven ability to lead and motivate other staff in a dynamic, multicultural environment.
• Self-starter who will thrive in a start-up setting by taking ownership and initiative.
• Intellectual curiosity and sense of humor. 
• Deep passion for improving lives around the world. 

Persons of all gender, race, sex, orientation, age, and identity are encouraged to apply. If interested, click on the link to apply.