Research Scientist – Health Focus (Sub‑Saharan Africa)

About the role

The Research Scientist joins Innovations for Poverty Action’s Applied Research & Methods team to lead health‑focused surveys, data audits, and impact evaluations for large‑scale infectious disease prevention programs across Sub‑Saharan Africa.

Key responsibilities

• Design coverage survey protocols, sampling strategies, questionnaires, and quality‑control procedures.
• Serve as principal investigator for surveys, audits, and health‑facility data extraction and validation.
• Provide technical guidance on health‑system contexts, especially in Nigeria and West Africa.
• Collaborate with the Survey Delivery Unit on data‑collection platforms and field protocols.
• Manage relationships with government health partners and program stakeholders.
• Supervise and mentor field research staff, including enumerators and coordinators.
• Write and review research proposals, budgets, and funder narratives.

Required profile

• PhD or equivalent in epidemiology, biostatistics, public health, health economics, or a related social science.
• Deep expertise in health‑systems operations and facility‑level data quality.
• Demonstrated experience conducting research or fieldwork in Sub‑Saharan Africa.
• Proven track record in writing research proposals and securing funding.

Required skills

• Survey design and implementation
• Sampling methodology
• Questionnaire development
• Data quality assurance and validation
• Health‑systems analysis

What we offer

• Opportunity to lead high‑impact health research that influences policy and program design.
• Collaboration with global partners and funders.
• Professional development in impact evaluation and health economics.