Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) invites applications for the Policy Manager-Social Protection at J-PAL.
About the Organization
The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) is a global research center working to reduce poverty by ensuring that policy is informed by scientific evidence. Anchored by a network of 261 affiliated professors at universities around the world, J-PAL conducts randomized impact evaluations to answer critical questions in the fight against poverty.
Job Description/Responsibilities
Support J-PAL’s Policy Team in its mission of institutionalisation of evidence-use within governments: The Policy Manager will work closely on J-PAL South Asia’s government partnerships across multiple states and/or central government agencies, including with the Government of Odisha, with the aim of institutionalising a data and evidence-based approach to policy decisions. This will include:
- Support J-PAL’s Policy team in expanding its government partnership model to new states by conducting background research, communicating with senior government officials, and internal coordination within the policy team.
- Engage with government officials to support the generation, dissemination, synthesis and scale-up of rigorous evidence-based policies in concerned states. Support cross-vertical activities and internal coordination with Research, Training, and Admin & Finance verticals across J-PAL South Asia’s government partnerships.
- Provide to the Policy Team in its mission of promoting evidence-informed policy for the newly launched Social Protection sector: This will entail understanding, summarizing and supporting the dissemination of J-PAL evidence in Social Protection; putting together notes, briefs, and knowledge products and responding to stakeholder requests; and working with government, civil society partners, and donors to promote the production and use of rigorous evidence:
- Evidence Generation: Lead networking and follow-up with relevant government partners, civil society partners, donors and media to understand their policy priorities in Social Protection and promote the use and production of rigorous evidence.
- Catalyse new randomized evaluation research by matching innovative projects in the region with J-PAL affiliated professors in the sector. Secure buy-in from governments and other organizations to launch pilots and evaluations of Social Protection-related reforms and projects.
Evidence Synthesis and Dissemination:
- Draft internal reference materials and policy outreach materials summarizing evidence from J-PAL evaluations (e.g., summaries, briefs, policy memos, concept notes, letters, presentations). Write about J-PAL’s evaluations in relevant documents with clear, accurate, and non-technical language. Analyse and contextualize research results from J-PAL’s ongoing and completed work for evidence dissemination through customized decks, briefs, reports and op-eds.
- Represent J-PAL South Asia at policy-relevant events and in meetings with relevant stakeholders, to share and present evidence. Help prepare senior management for meetings with background research and meeting notes/memos.
Stakeholder Engagement:
- Build and maintain relationships with key partners in governments, NGOs, foundations, and multilateral aid agencies in the region.
- Provide additional support to the P&T teams as needed. Additional cross-sectoral support: The manager will also support cross-sectoral outreach, including evidence synthesis and dissemination, stakeholder management, and internal contribution.
Others:
- People Management: Manage and mentor P&T Associates and/ or Sr. P&T Associates, giving them support to perform better and prioritizing their learning and skill development.
- Cross-vertical collaboration: Participate in cross-vertical collaboration opportunities such as providing systematic support to an ongoing research project, capacity building of internal staff, etc.
Education Qualification/Required Skills & Experience
- Education: Master’s degree (preferably in economics, public policy, public health, or international development). A strong technical understanding of economics and/or evaluation is necessary to ensure that J-PAL South Asia’s findings are translated into general policy conclusions in a way that is both simple to follow but also accurate and undistorted.
- Experience: This position requires three or more years of relevant experience in addition to a relevant Master’s degree. Demonstrated interest and experience in Social Protection will be considered favourably.
- Understanding Randomized Evaluations: Demonstrate a keen understanding of the value of randomized evaluations and their usefulness for policy decisions
Skills and Competencies
- Communication: Attention to detail and excellent writing and presentation skills for communicating policy lessons from academic papers in ways that policymakers understand. This requires clear, precise, non-technical writing, and creativity in presentation.
- Proven ability to handle several different projects/tasks at one time, successfully complete tasks assigned, and meet deadlines; High level of attention to detail; Strong interest in international development policy, South Asia development, and/or programme evaluation as demonstrated by coursework and professional experience.
- Language: Fluency in English (written and oral).
How to Apply
CLICK HERE, for the Official Notification.
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