Overview
Director Africa Centre for Development Research & Evaluation (Public Affairs) Jobs in City of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa at Ipsos in South Africa
Title: Director Africa Centre for Development Research & Evaluation (Public Affairs)
Company: Ipsos in South Africa
Location: City of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
The Ipsos Africa Centre for Development Research & Evaluation (ACDRE), part of Ipsos Public Affairs, is one of the leading Africa-based providers of monitoring, evaluation, research and learning (MERL) services. Operating across 14 countries in Africa, we partner with governments, foundations, development agencies and the private sector to generate high-quality evidence and translate it into actionable insight for policy, programming and investment decisions. We are seeking a senior, commercially-minded and technically credible leader to lead and grow our well established South Africa business. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape how evidence is generated and used across South Africa and the wider region, and to continue Ipsos ACDRE as a leading strategic partner in the development and public sector space.
This is a leadership role focused on growing and positioning Ipsos ACDRE South Africa as a trusted, high-impact partner in monitoring, evaluation and research.
The person will :
- Lead the strategic development and growth of the ACDRE business in South Africa and across Southern Africa;
- Build and deepen relationships with government, foundations, development partners, and private sector actors;
- Shape and win high-value, strategic assignments in MERL, advisory, and evidence systems;
- Lead the design and delivery of high-quality, mixed-methods research and evaluation programmes;
- Position Ipsos externally through thought leadership, publishing, and senior client engagement;
- Contribute to the broader pan-African ACDRE strategy and delivery model.
The role will drive growth and innovation in areas where demand is rapidly evolving, including:
- Market systems development, financial inclusion, and livelihoods;
- Climate, energy, and sustainable development;
- Agriculture, food systems, and nutrition;
- Public sector performance, governance, and service delivery;
- Digital transformation, data systems, and the use of AI in development.
We are looking for a leader who combines commercial drive, technical excellence, and excellent track record with clients and partners.
The ideal candidate will bring:
- A strong track record of leading and winning complex research, evaluation, monitoring or advisory assignments;
- Experience designing and delivering external evaluations of third-party programmes;
- Deep expertise in mixed-methods research, including quantitative and qualitative approaches;
- Strong understanding of complex evaluation methodologies (including experimental and quasi-experimental approaches);
- Demonstrated ability to build partnerships and influence senior stakeholders across government, donors, and the private sector, and strong existing network;
- Commercial acumen and experience growing business in a private sector consulting or research environment;
- Credible leadership presence, with the ability to represent Ipsos externally;
- A commitment to generating evidence that drives real-world impact.
- Experience in areas such as climate finance, impact investment, or digital systems is an advantage.
Leadership and impact
This role requires a self-driven, entrepreneurial leader who is motivated by both growth and impact. The successful candidate will:
- Build and lead a high-performing team;
- Ensure the highest standards of quality and client satisfaction;
- Strengthen Ipsos’ reputation as a trusted evidence partner in South Africa;
- Contribute to shaping the future of MERL and evidence use across Africa.
