TECHNICAL PROJECT MANAGER / DIRECTOR

IDinsight is hiring a full-time Technical Project Manager (TPM) with at least 7 years of cumulative relevant experience (3+ years in a leadership role) to grow our software development capabilities. In this role, the TPM will oversee IDinsight developer teams while working with clients and IDinsight project teams to define software solutions and ensure high-quality project delivery. The eventual title (Manager vs. Director) will be dependent on the seniority of the successful candidate.

The TPM will also work closely with Directors on the Data Science, Engineering & Monitoring Systems team (DSEM) to shape the operations of the fast-growing team. In this role, the successful candidate will work with technical team members to ensure projects and associated deliverables are completed on schedule, within budget, and at the required level of quality. 

We are a social-impact-oriented organization, so we can guarantee meaningful work tackling some of the world’s most complex international development challenges around the world.

About IDinsight

We amplify social impact by partnering with leaders to develop tailored solutions. Our mission is to use data and evidence to help leaders combat poverty worldwide.

IDinsight is a mission-driven global advisory, data analytics, and research organization that helps global development leaders maximize their social impact. We tailor a wide range of data and evidence tools, including randomized evaluations and machine learning, to help decision-makers design effective programs and rigorously test what works to support communities. We work with governments, multilateral agencies, foundations, and innovative non-profit organizations in Asia and Africa. Our work spans various sectors, including agriculture, education, health, governance, sanitation, financial inclusion, and other areas.

We have expertise in various rigorous approaches and methodologies, which we tailor to each client depending on their needs and constraints. To achieve a positive social impact we:

• Support clients’ use of data and evidence for routine and major decision-making.
• Inform funding decisions – toward high-impact initiatives and away from less effective programs or approaches.
• Create and share tools, knowledge, and ideas that expand the use of data and evidence for social good.

IDinsight is committed to non-discrimination in our recruitment, employment practices, and organizational culture, regardless of people’s age, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Our diverse, growing team of over 300 outstanding colleagues operates in nearly two dozen countries worldwide.  Learn more about our mission and values at www.IDinsight.org. 

Grow as a manager while doing meaningful work

We are working to build IDinsight into a global leader in the use of innovative data tools to solve some of the world’s most urgent problems. 

You’ll be joining a growing engineering team and working on highly impactful and innovative projects with our partners. You’ll be joining an entrepreneurial team where you have a strong voice in how the team functions and grows. To be effective, software solutions need to be contextually relevant and build on subject-matter expertise. You will get to work closely with our partners, our team of developers, data scientists, economists, social-sector experts, and public health specialists to shepherd the design and implementation of solutions.

Learning is a key part of being a manager. 10% of your time would be dedicated to learning new skills and side projects of your choice. You’ll have strong mentorship to guide your career and you’ll have the opportunity to make interesting and valuable connections.

About the Role

We are seeking candidates with a strong background in managing agile software teams, and a passion for building solutions to difficult social problems. Most importantly, successful candidates should possess the ability to lead teams solving complex challenges, both human and technological.

As a manager, the day-to-day work may include:

• Working closely with clients and project technical leads to define requirements, scope, timelines, and budgets
• Leading business development for select high-profile engagements 
• Leading meetings and removing blockers for IDinsight developer teams
• Overseeing and implementing project work plans and budgets
• Creating & maintaining project documentation e.g project plans, status reports, change logs e.t.c
• Client communication, training, and support on products
• Reviewing team deliverables for quality control
• Working with the team leads on refinement of the project lifecycle and how we manage the team
• Mentoring IDinsight junior team members.
• Identifying, defining, and mitigating technical risks on projects

Qualifications

Technical qualifications:

• Advanced degree in a relevant field such as Computer Science, Engineering, Business, Project Management, or Information Systems.
• Minimum of 7 years of cumulative relevant experience (10+ years desirable)
• Minimum of 3 years in a leadership role (5+ years desirable) 
• Experience managing software development teams.
• Experience using agile principles and tools in a management context.
• Understanding of the software development lifecycle and related concepts such as version control, testing, and continuous integration/deployment.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience using/implementing project management tools such as JIRA, and Confluence.

Required qualifications:

• Proven ability to work alone and with teams in a dynamic, multicultural environment.
• Passion for improving lives through evidence-informed policy.
• Outstanding interpersonal and leadership skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English. Fluency in languages spoken in countries where IDinsight works is a plus, particularly Hindi or French.
• Strong values aligned with IDinsight’s stated values.
• Ability and interest in sharing knowledge, mentoring others, presenting work, and reviewing the work of others.
• Deeply passionate about global development and improving lives in disadvantaged populations.
• Open-minded self-starter who will thrive while tackling new, unusual, and unpredictable challenges.

Preferred qualifications:

The most competitive applicants will also have experience in one or more of the following:

• Writing clean code in a production setting.
• Writing user- and developer-facing documentation for software projects.
• Designing architecture for software systems.
• Managing cloud infrastructure using a hosting service like AWS, GCP, or Azure.
• Working in a B2B technology consulting setting, particularly with government or non-profit clients

Professional development

Skill and career development are core to IDinsight's values and long-term impact strategy and have been noted highlights of teammates’ experiences. IDinsighters receive significant mentorship from IDinsight leadership, support from talented peers, and considerable autonomy when ready. They maintain professional development plans and are provided "stretch" opportunities designed to strengthen various skills. Real-time feedback is embedded in our culture, and a formal structure enables maximum professional growth. Additionally, teammates have access to an annual professional development stipend that they are encouraged to explore their career interests and develop their skills.

Nuts & bolts

Location

We are hiring for this position across IDinsight’s India office in New Delhi or East Africa Regional Hub in Nairobi, Kenya. We have a strong preference for candidates with existing work authorization; however, for exceptional candidates, we will consider obtaining employment visas where possible.

Start date

We are hiring for this position on a rolling basis. The start date of this position is flexible, although there is the potential to start almost immediately. We expect a minimum two-year commitment, with regular professional development conversations and potential for a long-term career at IDinsight.

References

Applications should include three references, including email, phone, and title. Briefly state in what capacity you worked with each reference.

Work authorization

IDinsight can sponsor employment visas for all nationalities; however, we will prioritize candidates who do not require IDinsight to sponsor work authorization in the aforementioned countries. All candidates not currently located in our country offices listed above will be expected to relocate to the office location at the onset of their employment.

Compensation

Compensation and benefits are commensurate with the qualifications and experiences IDinsight is hiring for and competitive within the global development sector. We are especially proud of the people-focused benefits we offer, including comprehensive international health insurance, including mental health coverage; paid vacation, sick, and parental leave; relocation benefits; a travel stipend; technology and work from home stipends; a professional development budget; and more. Please note, as a non-profit, we are unable to provide compensation similar to leading private sector organizations.

How to apply

Please click the "Apply for this job online" button at the top right. Applications wiil be reviewed on a rolling basis. The application asks various questions for us to get to know you and requires a CV and cover letter. 

Please ensure that your CV includes relevant professional and personal experience and details on academic qualifications. CVs can range from one to two pages. Please note that headshot photographs, parental information, birth dates, marital status, and other personal information not relevant to the application do not need to be included in your CV. Additionally, we strongly encourage you to use your cover letter to highlight why you want to work for IDinsight specifically and what has prepared you to succeed in the role you’re applying for. A customized cover letter is an important part of IDinsight’s recruiting process as it allows us to understand your motivations for the position, relevant skills, and clarity of writing.

More information, including details on IDinsight’s hiring process and frequently asked questions, can be found online at IDinsight Careers. Any queries should be directed to redteamcareers@idinsight.org.

N.B. To prevent important email correspondence from going directly into your SPAM folder, thereby missing important application updates, please ensure that you whitelist redteamcareers@idinsight.org

IDinsight’s commitment to reducing power asymmetries

IDinsight is committed to reducing power asymmetries in the social sector. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion reflects our understanding of the need for the sector to abandon unhealthy practices of the past. We wish to be part of a new generation of international NGOs who are honest about this history and transparent about our role in the present. Our commitment is also aligned with the impact of our work. 

We seek a workforce that is inclusive of a variety of perspectives that will help us refine and improve our methods and relationships and strengthen the services we provide our clients and their communities or constituencies. The following commitments represent our vision for the IDinsight team:

1. IDinsight will have greater representation from the populations with whom we work and clients we serve.
2. IDinsight will have greater representation from the countries in which we work.
3. Across all countries in which we recruit, we will seek greater representation from historically excluded communities.
4. IDinsight will foster an inclusive work culture that empowers a diverse team to do their best work.

IDinsight is an equal opportunity employer and strives to create a diverse and supportive workplace.