Job Openings at Evidence Action

The Opportunity
Evidence Action’s Accelerator is our engine for growth. The Accelerator is a unique model in global development, designed to select and massively scale only those programs which meet exceptional standards for cost-effectiveness, proven impact, and scalability. Focusing on health, nutrition, and WASH, we evaluate scores of interventions and employ a venture capital-type ‘funnel’ model to exit those which do not meet our criteria. The result is a select set of programs for which we develop robust delivery models, test for impact, and scale to deliver outsized value for millions of people across Africa and Asia. 
Our Accelerator is currently in the process of testing and scaling three interventions: iron and folic acid (IFA) supplementation for children; prevention of mother-to-child transmission of syphilis; and new innovations to deliver water chlorination to reduce pediatric mortality.

We are hiring paid graduate student interns across all parts of the Accelerator. While exact responsibilities are subject to team and candidate experience, activities in this role may include:

• New Program Development
• Advance current research agendas by engaging in desk-based research and literature reviews to inform organizational understanding of key intervention areas
• Rapidly assess the potential of new opportunities by analyzing scale, evidence-base, strategic fit, and funding availability, as well as modeling cost-effectiveness for promising interventions
• Design, develop, and refine monitoring frameworks, theories of change, and program evaluations

Logistics
We are seeking at least three candidates for Summer (full-time paid, beginning in May). Start and end dates will be determined on a case by case basis, but we expect candidates to be available for at least 10 weeks. Positions will be remote, with the option to work in our Washington D.C., or Nairobi office for applicants with work authorization, pending Covid. Please indicate your availability in your cover letter.

Qualifications

1. Evidence Action places strong value on relevant personal qualities: professionalism, entrepreneurialism, responsibility, tenacity, independence, energy, and work ethic. We seek highly committed, adaptable applicants with an ability to deliver quality results in quickly changing circumstances. 

Specifically, we seek interns who meet the following qualifications:

1. Currently pursuing a master's degree or PhD in international development, public policy, health, economics, business, or related field, preferably with some familiarity with development economics
2. Preferably at least two years of relevant professional experience prior to starting graduate school
3. Be strongly aligned with Evidence Action values; committed to evidence-based programming in the development field.
4. Excellent work planning, task management, and organizational skills; proven ability to manage multiple ongoing projects simultaneously
5. Experience synthesizing data, background research, and stakeholder perspectives to inform program design and drive decision making
6. Ability to independently represent Evidence Action in high-stakes meetings with government stakeholders and major donors
    

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Job purpose
Evidence Action is looking for a seasoned and experienced Employee Relations professional to join our growing team.

Reporting to the Senior Manager, HR – Africa Region, the Manager, Employee Relations & Compliance will be responsible for providing day-to-day technical advice & guidance on employee relations and performance management matters to staff and management in accordance with the prevailing employment laws and internal policies and procedures. S/he will take the lead in investigations; provide guidance and recommendations for dispute resolution and act on resolutions made.

Duties and responsibilities

1. Provide advice and counsel to the regional HR Team and the on all employee relations issues.
2. Ensure Employee Relations (ER) issues and concerns are handled fairly, consistently, transparently, in a timely fashion, and in line with Evidence Action values, policies, and appropriate local employment laws.
3. Track various service requests of employees and the implementation of the approved decision, including but not limited to probation completion, extended medical leave, performance improvement programs and other ad-hoc requests and process these requests in a timely manner.
4. Contribute to the preparation and processing of all types of documents related to employee relations, in compliance with approved guidelines and policies in a timely manner.
5. Take lead in the development, implementation and review of HR policies, procedures and systems in relation to disciplinary procedures and performance management.
6. Ensure proper documentation of e-files related to employee relations like Memos, disciplinary letters, etc. to retrieve them as needed.
7. Develop response specifications, reviews output and finalize submission of the employee relations queries raised and provide a unified (system-wide) response to their queries.
8. Assists with the identification and development of an employee relations database that will provide policy, performance, and compliance reports and metrics to improve the Employee Services function.
9. Support in conducting exit interviews for departing employees to ensure that the valid reasons are captured by HR through the process.
10. Advise and act on disciplinary matters in accordance with the Employment laws and established policies and procedures including Termination of Appointment.
11. Supporting in developing materials for the effective management of employees for Managers/supervisors.
12. Interrelate with line managers with a view to settling employee grievances and conflicts.

Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s Degree in HR, Humanities, Sociology or a related field additional HR certification will be an added advantage.
2. Minimum 7 years HR generalist experience with at least 3 of those being Employee specialist experience
3. Demonstrable knowledge of good and dynamic HR practices in employee relations and performance management.
4. Good understanding of employment legislation.
5. Strong written and verbal communication skills.
6. Sound knowledge of HR best practices.
7. Technologically proficient in use of technology to communicate effectively & professionally.
8. Excellent analytical and data management skills.
9. Results oriented and strong attention to details.
10. Passionate, highly self - motivated, energetic and enthusiastic team player.
11. Membership to IHRM is required.
12. INGO experience will be an added advantage.

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Location
There is some flexibility on location, though the preference is for these roles to be based in sub-saharan Africa, particularly in existing Evidence Action geographies: Abuja, Nigeria; Nairobi, Kenya; Lilongwe, Malawi; or Kampala, Uganda. Washington, DC would also be acceptable, though of lower preference. All candidates should expect extensive travel (25% or more).

Key Responsibilities:

1. Design operating plans for highly complex and resource intensive safe water program, including nuances such as at-scale procurement, fleet management, asset control, and talent planning.
2. Manage logistics for meetings with executive-level partners.
3. Identify and propose mitigants for organizational risk, in line with Evidence Action’s organizational policies.
4. Manage in-country scoping operations, including external consultants, stakeholders, and survey firms as necessary.
5. Work closely with members of Global Operations team.
6. Navigate dynamic circumstances and ambiguity while achieving timely results.
7. Day-to-day management of scoping budget and support drafting of programmatic budget for new safe water interventions.

Required Qualifications:

1. 5-7 years experience in diverse, global contexts; Bachelor’s Degree required.
2. Excellent project management skills and ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
3. Strong strategic and operational thinking skills.
4. Experience working with local and global supply chain management.
5. Ability to collaborate across teams and  navigate complex organizational systems and relationships.
6. Adapts quickly to new and dynamic contexts.
7. Strong alignment with core values of Evidence Action.
8. Eager to join a growing team and organization in a role requiring extensive (25%) travel.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Builds strong and effective external relationships.
2. Familiarity with the global WASH sector.
3. French fluency preferred.

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Key Responsibilities:

1. Design a data collection plan to identify and ensure all necessary evidence is collected for analysis.
2. Analyze, model, and communicate the evidence needed to ensure a high-confidence cost-effective project design and decision making.
3. Creates cost effectiveness analysis deliverables for internal and external use.
4. Collect relevant information from multiple internal and external stakeholders.
5. Maintains close understanding of the evidence base of safe water interventions, liaising with relevant team members and external actors as necessary.
6. Work closely with members of Cost-Effectiveness and MLE teams.
7. Navigate dynamic circumstances and ambiguity while achieving timely results.
8. Takes a data-driven, cost-effective approach to program design.

Required Qualifications:

1. 3-5 years experience in research and analysis; Bachelor’s Degree required.
2. Excellent ability to analyze technical data and communicate to general audiences.
3. Strong strategic thinking skills.
4. Ability to collaborate across teams and  navigate complex organizational systems and relationships.
5. Adapts quickly to new and dynamic contexts.
6. Strong alignment with core values of Evidence Action.
7. Eager to join a growing team and organization in a role requiring extensive (25%) travel.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Builds strong and effective external relationships.
2. Experience with the global WASH sector highly preferred.
3. French fluency preferred.