IPA Field Manager (IT & Electronic Surveying) Job in Kakamega / Bungoma, Kenya - 2015

Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA)
 

WASH Benefits Project
 

Position: Field Manager for Information Technology (IT) and Electronic Surveying
 

Deadline to Apply: October 5th 2015
 

Start Date: October 12th 2015
 

Location: Kakamega / Bungoma; with flexibility to travel within Western Province
 

Eligibility: Position open to local Kenyan hires only
 

 

About Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA): Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to discovering and promoting effective solutions to global poverty problems.

In close partnership with decision makers – the policymakers, practitioners, investors, and donors working with the poor around the world – we design and evaluate potential solutions to poverty problems using randomized evaluations, the most rigorous evaluation method available. 

We also mobilize and support these decision makers to use these solutions to build better programs and policies at scale.

IPA’s WASH Benefits Project is a five year study to evaluate the health benefits of sanitation, hygiene, household water treatment and nutrition using a large-scale, randomized evaluation that will take place in Western Province. 

We are currently seeking a Field Manager to manage all IT-related aspects of the WASH Benefits project, primarily focusing on computer-assisted interviewing (CAI) for field surveys. 

Other relevant project components include: hardware and software support for digital data collection in the field, database architecture and maintenance, and SMS communication and surveying with study promoters and participants. 

The position will be based in Kakamega, but will require frequent travel to project offices in Bungoma and accompaniment of field survey teams into some rural areas. 

The PM will work closely with the WASH Benefits management team, including Research Associates and Managers. 

The PM will also periodically work or coordinate with the IPA-Kenya headquarters’ IT and Data personnel.

Tasks, Duties and Responsibilities:
 

Computer and Technical Support:

• Provide help and advice to other staff on using computer software or equipment


• Support project in technical aspects such as data storage and internet performance and capacity


• Serve as primary liaison between WASH Benefits staff and IPA IT support personnel in Kisumu, Nairobi and New Haven, USA as well as any IT or programming consultants retained by the project


• Liaise with IPA IT support personnel and external consultants as needed to procure hardware and repairs.


• Provide data base management support and information security measures to protect data and computer network.


• Provide general technical support and troubleshooting assistance for the WASH management team


• Maintain and backup servers across two offices


• Research and make recommendations on any computer-related project purchases


• Help with trainings in project offices related to computer skills and programs


• Coordinate with IPAK Information Technology and Data personnel in the headquarters on IPAK guidelines and procedures that may relate to WASH Benefits IT systems and inform IPAK as needed about new IT activities

Survey Support:

• Compile and maintain documentation for all programming and electronic surveying activities


• Contribute to survey programming, testing, and debugging in ODK – SurveyCTO


• Liaise with IPA support personnel to format and/or create hard disk image for hardware devices to maximize survey capabilities and efficiency


• Assist in development of manual and trainings for proper hardware usage and maintenance


• Train field survey staff in proper use of survey devices and software and provide survey teams with ongoing feedback


• Assist with organization of data quality checks


• Organize and streamline the process of retrieving data from collection devices, storing in a secure database, and facilitating upload into STATA analysis software


• Provide technical support and troubleshoot any hardware or software issues arising in the course of digital data collection


• If possible, support the development of CSPro templates

Server maintenance

• Set up and maintain organized, efficient, and secure servers in both offices for project data including programmatic (implementation) data


• Ensure proper encryption and storage procedures are followed with regard to all personal identifying data


• Help coordinate access issues with project coordinators

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• At least two years of IT experience in an office or field office setting


• Diploma in a relevant field such as Information Technology


• Experience in programming using Survey CTO


• Excellent management, organizational, critical thinking, attention to detail and interpersonal skills


• Flexible, self-motivating, able to work in a team managing multiple tasks and meet deadlines efficiently


• Demonstrated proficiency using excel and other MS Office applications


• Strong written and oral communication skills and complete fluency in English is required.

Desired Qualifications and Experience:

• Degree in a relevant field such as Information Technology


• Experience in managing servers in an office or field office setting


• Proficiency in other softwares such as CSPro, MS Access or Stata


• Familiarity with randomized controlled trials


• Knowledge of statistics

How to Apply:
 

Please send a cover letter and detailed CV including daytime phone number, email address, and 3 professional references. 

Your CV should include your scores or grades and other measures of academic achievement, and details about any relevant work experience.

Applications must be submitted by email to jobs-kenya@poverty-action.org, please ensure that the subject line reads: “FIELD MANAGER-IT REF NO: REF NO: WASH B-2015-09-05. 

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by email for an interview. 

Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the Field Manager-IT. The statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all possible duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary. Please note that IPA will never request any form of payment from an applicant. Applicants are encouraged to confirm the information listed above with IPA prior to releasing any extensive personal information to the organization. Please direct questions to jobs-kenya@poverty-action.org.