International Food Policy Research Institute 

Problem Description

i-Lab students will support IFPRI’s Impact Committee by investigating the organization’s key achievements in Bangladesh (https://bangladesh.ifpri.info/) from 2010 to the present. IFPRI’s last impact assessment (https://www.ifpri.org/publication/impact-ifpris-policy-research-resource-allocation-and-food-security-bangladesh) of its work in Bangladesh was completed in 2000. Since then, many projects have been implemented under the Policy Research and Strategy Support Program (https://bangladesh.ifpri.info/policy-research-and-strategy-support-program-prssp/) (PRSSP). Guided by staff from IFPRI’s Bangladesh Country Office and Impact Committee, i-Lab students will conduct a professional assessment of the impact of PRSSP projects on national policymaking, as well as the funding and design of national programs. Students will use skills applicable to careers in international development and policy, including M&E, survey design, data collection, data analysis, project management, and collaboration across sectors and cultures.

i-Lab students will assess one or more of the following projects: 1. Bangladesh Integrated Household Survey (https://bangladesh.ifpri.info/bangladesh-integrated-household-survey/) (BIHS), the most comprehensive, nationally representative (rural) household survey in Bangladesh to date; 2. Transfer Modality Research Initiative (https://bangladesh.ifpri.info/transfer-modality-research-initiative-tmri/) (TMRI), designed by IFPRI and implemented by WFP, assessing the impacts of cash or food transfers, with or without intensive group-based nutrition behavior change communication (BCC), to mothers of young children in poor rural households (recent blog (https://www.devex.com/news/opinion-measuring-the-unintended-benefits-of-a-development-program-94224)); 3. Agriculture, Nutrition, and Gender Linkages (https://bangladesh.ifpri.info/agriculture-nutrition-and-gender-linkages-angel/) (ANGeL) project, designed by IFPRI and implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture (recent blog (https://www.ifpri.org/blog/making-difference-agriculture-nutrition-and-gender-linkages-angel-project)); 4. Agricultural Policy Support Unit (https://www.foodsecurityportal.org/blog/new-agricultural-policy-support-unit-will-aid-bangladeshi-agricultural-sector) (APSU): IFPRI designed, established, and supported the functionality of the APSU to strengthen the analytical capacity in the Ministry of Agriculture. It has now become an independent autonomous unit.

Research Question

How has IFPRI’s work in Bangladesh under the PRSSP impacted policymaking, program design, and the lives of vulnerable stakeholders?

Project Success Definition

The impact of IFPRI’s work in Bangladesh is accurately communicated. Practical, actionable key insights/lessons learned are revealed so that IFPRI and its partners can refine future programming in Bangladesh.

Additional Details

Possible Locations

Bangladesh

Required Team Skill Sets, Languages, and Expertise

Qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis, experience in South Asia, and interpersonal skills. Of course, Bengali language skills would be amazing, but we recognize this is unlikely. Interest in impact assessment is a plus.