Manager Experimental Interventions Dar es Salaam. (ref 1819).

1. Background
Twaweza is a ten year initiative dedicated to facilitating large scale access to information, citizen agency and public accountability in East Africa. Twaweza’s Program has three main components: Partnerships (core program), Uwazi (opening up data, analysis) and Experimental Interventions. 

The Manager Experimental Interventions will set up and manage the third component.

While Twaweza has emphasized the importance of risk-taking and experimentation from the outset, the inclusion of a rigorous experimental approach to Programs is new and starts in 2012. Experimental Interventions will take up a limited number of large scale experiments in sectors where certain development problems have persisted despite concerted efforts and investments. The experiments will test interventions that are potential ‘paradigm changers’ in the sector.

Twaweza will start three Randomized Control trials in education, one in Uganda and two in Tanzania. The RCT’s will test two new interventions: 1. Cash on Delivery, incentivizing local governments and local schools and teachers for learning achievements of pupils (Tanzania and Uganda), and 2. Direct transfer of Capitation Grants to schools, by-passing governments ineffective decentralized transfer systems (Tanzania). 

The experience of using RCTs and undertaking Cash on Delivery and funds disbursement to the lowest level is expected to inform similar work by Twaweza across East Africa in Health and Water. At a later stage Twaweza will undertake experiments in Health and Water. Overall these experiments are expected to contribute to Twaweza’s learning agenda and generate relevant evidence for policy makers and donors that attempts to understand factors that are more of less effective in driving change.

Results of the RCT’s will be published widely, in the East African regions, as well as in global scientific discourse. The annual budget for Experimental Interventions is about $1.2 – 1.5 million per annum. Twaweza’s work is supported by Sida, DFID, SNV, Hivos, the Hewlett Foundation and Ireland Aid.

Twaweza is looking for a highly motivated analyst and manager to lead Experimental Interventions - in Tanzania and Uganda initially. Twaweza offers an internationally competitive salary and an attractive work environment that provides a powerful opportunity to contribute to change in East Africa.

2. Main tasks:
Implement three RCT’s. In consultation with experts within Twaweza and internationally renowned scientists, design, set-up, test and implement the RCT’s in Uganda and Tanzania.

Lead/coordinate the RCT teams. As manager you will craft the optimal set-up of each RCT, which will involve external parties for both interventions as well as scientific aspects. The manager will coordinates and oversees all activities, and bears ultimate responsibility for delivering results.

Provide technical backstopping and quality control: as manager you have final responsibility for the experiments and their results, some of which can be sensitive of nature. High quality and methodological soundness are of essence to reduce negative fallout.

Network. The manager is responsible to develop and maintain excellent relationships with a variety of people and institutions, ranging from local governments, service providers and politicians to internationally renowned researcher and institutions (J-PAL, CGD).

Publish.  As manager you are expected to produce regular written products, including policy briefs, analyses and research papers for local and global audiences.

3. Qualifications
For this position Twaweza is looking for an individual who identifies with Twaweza’s objectives and approach, who is motivated to help Twaweza succeed in its mission, and has strong competencies to deliver quality work. To this end Twaweza is looking for an individual with:
• A PhD in economics or social sciences, with at least 3 years of work experience preferably in a developing country (East Africa preferred)
• Extensive knowledge of qualitative or quantitative empirical research evidenced, preferably, through publications in refereed journals and/or books
• Good understanding of RCTs
• Excellent ability to write and communicate in English (necessary) and Kiswahili (preferably).
• Attuned to global developments regarding rigorous evaluation and able to engage with such.

4. Reporting
The manager Experimental Interventions reports to the Head of Twaweza. The position is based in Dar es Salaam.

5. Application process
To apply for this position, go to www.radarrecruitment.com. If you are not registered with Radar, go to the Register Tab, complete the registration form and upload your CV (max 4 pages), including a cover letter explaining your interests/motivations to work for Twaweza, and 2 samples of your written work and names of 3 referees, in MS Word or PDF file. Enter the Reference Number of the position into the Job Reference Box to take you to the details of that job.

Closing date
12nd January 2012 and will remain open until position is filled. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified to appear for interviews.