Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior Policy Manager
at Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA)
🏢 About Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA)
Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) is a unique research and policy organization that designs, rigorously evaluates, and refines solutions to global poverty problems. Unlike think tanks or advocacy groups, IPA's distinctiveness lies in its commitment to randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to generate credible evidence, and its 'embedded' approach of working directly within government systems to translate that evidence into policy.
About This Role
This Senior Policy Manager role is the strategic leader for IPA's policy influence in Rwanda, responsible for setting the vision for how research evidence shapes national policy. It's impactful because you will directly manage the team and strategy that determines whether rigorous IPA research actually changes how the Rwandan government designs and implements poverty-alleviation programs.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve a morning strategy meeting with your policy team to review progress on engagements with the Ministry of Finance, followed by drafting a concept note for a new embedded advisory opportunity. The afternoon could include a high-level check-in with a donor partner and providing mentorship to a team member analyzing data to inform an upcoming policy dialogue with Rwandan officials.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) Is Looking For
- A policy professional with 7+ years' experience, specifically in the *development sector*, who has a proven track record of moving evidence into government decision-making processes, not just conducting research.
- Someone with deep experience managing complex, high-stakes relationships with *senior government officials* and donors in an East African context, ideally with existing networks in Rwanda.
- A strategic leader who has successfully built and managed a team's capacity, work plans, and budgets, with the ability to provide the overall vision for IPA's Embedded Evidence Lab and scaling programs.
- Holds an advanced degree in economics, public policy, or a related field, with substantive knowledge of the methods and challenges of evidence-to-policy translation.
📝 Tips for Applying to Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA)
Explicitly quantify your '7+ years of relevant experience.' Break it down: X years managing policy teams, Y years engaging with government at a senior level, Z years in the development sector in Africa.
In your resume, highlight any direct experience with 'embedded' advisory models or technical assistance within government ministries, as this is core to IPA's Rwanda lab.
Demonstrate knowledge of Rwanda's specific policy landscape. Mention key government strategies (e.g., National Strategy for Transformation), ministries (MINECOFIN, MINALOC), or development partners active there.
Tailor your examples to IPA's model. Instead of generic 'policy influence,' describe a time you used *rigorous evidence* (like RCT findings) to advise a policymaker or change a program design.
Show you understand this is a leadership role. Detail your experience in departmental strategy, financial management, and team capacity building, not just policy analysis.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your specific vision for leading IPA Rwanda's 'policy impact strategy.' How would you identify and create high-impact opportunities for evidence use in the Rwandan context?", 'Concrete examples of successfully managing stakeholder relationships with senior government officials and donors, including how you navigated challenges.', "Your philosophy and experience in building team capacity and managing a department's strategy, scope, and finances.", "Why IPA's evidence-to-policy translation mission, particularly through embedded labs, resonates with your career goals and expertise."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → IPA's Rwanda country page and specific projects (e.g., the Embedded Evidence Lab, scaling programs). Understand their current government partners and research portfolio.
- → Rwanda's key national policy frameworks and development goals (e.g., National Strategy for Transformation, Vision 2050) to speak knowledgeably about the policy environment.
- → IPA's distinctive 'Gold Standard' advocacy approach and their philosophy on evidence use, as outlined in their publications or blog.
- → Recent IPA research studies conducted in Rwanda or East Africa on topics like social protection, education, or agriculture to understand their work's substance.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic application that doesn't mention Rwanda, embedded policy work, or IPA's focus on randomized evaluations.
- Focusing solely on research or academic credentials without demonstrating concrete experience in policy management, stakeholder engagement, and team leadership.
- Using vague language about 'policy impact' without providing specific, measurable examples of how your work changed a policy decision or program implementation.
📅 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 Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA)!