Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), a global research and policy nonprofit dedicated to discovering and promoting effective solutions to poverty, is seeking a Research Manager to join its Consumer Protection Research Initiative (CPRI) in Eastern Africa. IPA is renowned for rigorously evaluating interventions that address global poverty, partnering with decision-makers to ensure evidence drives real-world impact. With hundreds of randomized evaluations across multiple sectors, IPA has advanced knowledge on what programs work—and how they can work better. The Consumer Protection Research Initiative is a global effort to strengthen consumer protection in digital financial services (DFS). By collaborating with regulators and market actors, the initiative aims to reduce consumer harms such as fraud, hidden fees, over-indebtedness, and poor redress mechanisms. The Research Manager will play a pivotal role in overseeing research activities and regulatory partnerships in Eastern Africa, including Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. Reporting to the Associate Director of Consumer Protection within IPA’s Financial Inclusion Program, the manager will guide policy-driven research, support the development of monitoring tools, and help regulators respond to emerging challenges in DFS. Strategic Leadership and Project Oversight The Research Manager will lead IPA’s regulatory engagements in Eastern Africa, ensuring that partnerships generate actionable insights to strengthen supervisory capacity. Working closely with regulators, the manager will identify priority policy questions, co-design research and data initiatives, and oversee the implementation of regulator-driven pilots and studies. By translating technical findings into practical tools, the manager will enable supervisors to make evidence-based decisions that protect consumers. Additionally, the role involves planning and resource management for ongoing and emerging projects. This includes scoping, budgeting, and coordination with IPA leadership, academic partners, and funders, ensuring that research remains both rigorous and operationally feasible. Stakeholder Engagement and External Representation Serving as the primary liaison with regulators in assigned countries, the Research Manager will coordinate technical engagement, including data collection, market monitoring, and SupTech pilots. Representing IPA in high-level meetings, the manager will communicate research findings in ways that support regulatory decision-making and policy improvements. Research Quality and Technical Oversight The Research Manager will oversee the full lifecycle of research activities—from design and data collection to analysis and dissemination. By maintaining rigorous standards and ethical protocols, the manager ensures research is credible and actionable. Deliverables may include policy briefs, technical reports, and presentations tailored for regulatory audiences. Team Management and Mentorship Supervision and mentorship are core responsibilities. The Research Manager will lead Research Associates and field-based staff, supporting day-to-day management, professional growth, and integration with broader country operations. Responsibilities include onboarding, training, and performance management, as well as coordinating with IPA country teams to maintain operational efficiency. Operational and Financial Oversight The Research Manager will oversee project budgets, ensuring compliance with IPA and donor financial procedures. Timely completion of deliverables, progress reports, and budget forecasts will be essential to maintain smooth operations across multi-country initiatives. Cross-Cutting Contributions In addition to country-specific responsibilities, the Research Manager will contribute to cross-regional knowledge sharing. This includes documenting lessons learned, supporting toolkits and workshops, and collaborating with IPA’s global teams to align activities and share best practices. Qualifications The ideal candidate will hold a Master’s degree in economics, public policy, or a related field focused on data-driven policy analysis. They will have 3–5 years of experience in the financial inclusion ecosystem, particularly engaging with regulators, policymakers, or consumer protection actors. Strong candidates demonstrate credibility with senior regulatory counterparts, an understanding of institutional mandates, and the ability to translate technical evidence into actionable policy insights. Experience designing or managing applied research or data analytics projects is critical, as is familiarity with experimental or quasi-experimental methods and analytical tools such as Stata, R, or Python. The role also requires excellent communication skills, experience in multi-stakeholder environments, and a proven ability to manage diverse teams across multiple locations. Locations and Application This position is based in Tanzania, Uganda, or Kenya. Applications are due by November 13, 2025. About Innovations for Poverty Action Founded in 2002, IPA brings together over 600 leading academics to conduct more than 1,000 evaluations in 52 countries. Its research informs programs that improve millions of lives worldwide. IPA is committed to ethical conduct, safeguarding vulnerable populations, and creating a respectful environment for all. By joining IPA, staff contribute to solutions that ensure individuals living in poverty can thrive with dignity and opportunity. APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring organization. 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