IPA MAICE Project Associate Job in Meru, Kenya

Mitigating Aflatoxin for Improving Child Growth in Eastern Kenya (MAICE)
Start Date: ideally Dec 2013, contingent on suitable candidate; no later than May 2014
Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) seeks qualified applicants for the position of Project Associate for the MAICE project.
Chronic exposure to aflatoxin, a fungal byproduct commonly found in maize, has been linked to liver cancer and suppressed immune system function.
Non-experimental evidence suggests exposure to the toxin could also negatively impact children’s development. In Kenya, where maize is a staple in the diet, estimates of aflatoxin contamination vary by site and year, with various studies showing between 16% and 65% of maize exceeds the allowable limit.
MAICE is a randomized controlled trial being undertaken by IFPRI to better understand (i) the effectiveness of improved post-harvest practices and maize storage for reducing the presence of aflatoxin in stored maize; and (ii) the effect of aflatoxin consumption on stunting in children. The project began in Jan 2013 and will close in Dec 2015. Activities in 2014 and 2015 will involve mid-line and endline data collection, as well as continued implementation of two different treatment arms. The project is based in Meru and Tharaka-Nithi Counties, Kenya. Midline data collection is set to start in February 2014.
The position offers an opportunity to gain first-hand field management experience in an organization undertaking cutting-edge development research. The principal investigators are Vivian Hoffmann, Kelly Jones and Jef Leroy.
 The Project Associate will work closely with the IPA-Kenya Country Office and the PIs (academic researchers) to perform a variety of tasks including, but not limited to: sophisticated logistic planning, implementing project design, programming survey questionnaires, hiring and managing survey teams, running pilot exercises, checking and analyzing data, cleaning data and assisting in preliminary analysis, assisting in the writing of project reports and policy memos, financial accounting, HR, and various administrative tasks. The Project Associate/Project Coordinator will be based in Meru.
A 2 year commitment is required for this position.

Qualifications and Experience:

A Bachelor's degree in economics, social sciences, public policy, or related fieldsExcellent management and organizational skills along with strong quantitative skillsFluency and excellent communication skills in EnglishFlexible, self-motivating, able to manage multiple tasks efficiently, a team playerDemonstrated ability to manage high-level relationships with partner organizationsExperience living in a developing country is a strong plusPrevious knowledge of or desire to learn Swahili a plusKnowledge of Stata (strongly preferred) or other data analysis software is preferredFamiliarity with randomized controlled trials preferred Please send a cover letter and detailed CV, 3 references, daytime phone number(s), and email address. Your CV should include your scores or grades and other measures of academic achievement, and details about any relevant work experience.
Applications can be submitted to any of our branch offices, or by email to jobs-kenya@poverty-action.org,or by post office using P.O Box 373, Busia area code 50400 Kenya. If you submit by email, please ensure that the subject line reads: “Project Associate.”REF No. MAICE-2013-11-1. Only short-listed 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 Project Associate. 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.