Application Guide
How to Apply for Associate Director or Director, Program Innovation and Evidence
at Evidence Action
🏢 About Evidence Action
Evidence Action is a global nonprofit that scales cost-effective, evidence-based programs to reduce poverty, with a focus on measurable impact across Africa and Asia. What sets them apart is their commitment to rigorous evidence and cost-effectiveness, meaning every program is tested and optimized before scaling. Working here means directly contributing to solutions that improve millions of lives, often at the intersection of technology, agriculture, and international development.
About This Role
This role leads innovation and evidence-building for AI-enabled weather forecasting services that reach millions of smallholder farmers in low- and middle-income countries. You will own message testing, pilot new delivery channels like chatbots and WhatsApp, and partner with academics to develop novel forecast types. The position is highly impactful because it directly influences how farmers receive and act on critical weather information, ultimately affecting their livelihoods and resilience.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve reviewing A/B test results with the data team, coordinating with in-country partners on a new pilot, and meeting with academic collaborators to refine forecast models. You could also spend time drafting a cost-effectiveness analysis or discussing message framing with a chatbot developer. The role is dynamic, blending quantitative analysis, partnership management, and strategic innovation to improve farmer outcomes.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Evidence Action Is Looking For
- 5+ years of experience in program innovation, evidence-building, or agricultural development, with a strong track record of designing and implementing field experiments (A/B tests) in low-resource settings.
- Demonstrated quantitative skills, including proficiency in data analysis tools (e.g., R, Stata, Python) and experience with cost-effectiveness analysis and monitoring & evaluation.
- Experience managing partnerships with academics or research institutions, and ideally supervising postdoctoral researchers or managing research roadmaps.
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to coordinate with in-country teams, external partners, and diverse stakeholders across multiple countries.
- Familiarity with digital delivery channels (SMS, WhatsApp, chatbots) and a passion for leveraging technology to drive behavior change among smallholder farmers.
📝 Tips for Applying to Evidence Action
Highlight specific examples of A/B tests you've designed and led, especially those related to message framing, format, or delivery channels in agricultural or development contexts.
Quantify the impact of your past work: e.g., 'Improved farmer comprehension by X% through SMS message optimization' or 'Reached Y farmers with new chatbot channel at Z cost per farmer.'
Show familiarity with Evidence Action's existing work: mention their weather forecasting program or other initiatives, and explain how your skills would advance their mission.
Emphasize any experience working with academics or research partners, as this role involves co-developing novel forecast types and potentially supervising postdocs.
Demonstrate cultural competence and experience working with in-country teams; highlight any remote collaboration with teams in Africa or Asia.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your hands-on experience in designing and executing A/B tests to optimize message comprehension and behavior change, ideally in agriculture or climate information services.', "Your ability to scope and pilot new delivery channels (chatbots, WhatsApp, SMS, social media) and assess their reach and cost-effectiveness, with concrete examples of channels you've tested.", 'Your experience partnering with academics on research projects, managing roadmaps, and translating research into program improvements.', "Your commitment to evidence-based programming and cost-effectiveness, aligning with Evidence Action's core values and approach."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Explore Evidence Action's website, especially their weather forecasting program and any published research or reports on its impact and cost-effectiveness.
- → Read about their other programs (e.g., Deworm the World, Dispensers for Safe Water) to understand their evidence-based approach and scaling model.
- → Research the landscape of AI-enabled weather forecasting for smallholder farmers, including key challenges in message design and delivery channels.
- → Look up recent publications or blog posts by Evidence Action staff on program innovation, monitoring & evaluation, and cost-effectiveness to understand their methodologies and priorities.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing only on high-level strategy without demonstrating hands-on experience in designing and executing field experiments or A/B tests.
- Neglecting to mention specific digital channels (SMS, WhatsApp, chatbots) or failing to show familiarity with the challenges of reaching smallholder farmers.
- Underestimating the importance of cost-effectiveness and monitoring & evaluation; avoid vague statements about 'making an impact' without concrete metrics or examples.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Evidence Action!