Senior Policy Manager - J-PAL Global

As a Senior Policy Manager, your primary tasks will involve:

• Sector/Pillar Management and Supervision (40%): Lead one or more of J-PAL's sectors or pillars, working with academic Chairs and leadership to create and execute strategy to increase policy influence. Build relationships with key policy partners, identify opportunities for evidence adaptation and scale, target donors, draft policy materials, oversee evidence products, organize events for policymakers, and supervise and mentor staff.
• Evidence Communication and Dissemination (30%): Build relationships with key partners worldwide, present J-PAL's work externally, write publications that translate economic research into lessons for policymakers, create materials for policy outreach, and conduct research and analysis for policy memos, grant proposals, and evidence synthesis publications.
• Policy Strategy & Leadership (10%): Work with senior leadership to refine and advance J-PAL's global policy strategy, identify priority geographies and partners, coordinate policy campaigns, ensure alignment across teams, support strategic decision-making, and support fundraising by identifying and cultivating donors.
• Other (20%): Support J-PAL's overall mission by assisting functional teams, supporting policy partnerships, overseeing group-level management tasks, undertaking professional development, and potentially serving as a liaison between J-PAL Global and regional offices.

This role creates positive change by translating J-PAL's scientific research into actionable poverty alleviation policies worldwide, ensuring that development policies are informed by rigorous evidence to effectively reduce poverty.

Your technical expertise, strong communication and organizational skills, passion for translating research into action, and interest in international development make you an ideal candidate:

• Education: You hold a Master's degree in economics, public policy, or a closely related field, with coursework in microeconomics, econometrics, and development economics. A demonstrated academic interest in international development and public policy and/or international experience is preferred.
• Experience: You have 7 or more years of relevant and substantial professional experience, including at least 1 year of experience working in a developing country. Relevant experience gained during schooling may count toward this requirement.
• Skills: You have a successful track record of managing junior staff, strong writing and communication abilities, and the ability to translate complex research into actionable insights for policymakers.
• Attributes: You are passionate about evidence-informed policy, have strong organizational skills, and are interested in international development and poverty alleviation.

J-PAL supports a culture of learning and professional development with opportunities including:

• Attending weekly MIT-Harvard Development Seminars
• Taking classes for credit with MIT's generous tuition assistance program
• Eligibility to take the MITx MicroMasters credential in Data, Economics, and Development Policy (DEDP) free of charge
• Opportunities to work with J-PAL researchers and interact with decision-makers worldwide
• Travel opportunities to attend conferences and participate in international "Staff-to-Field" experiences
• One-on-one mentorship from senior leadership and peer support for institutional knowledge building
• Performance-based promotions from Manager to Senior Manager
• J-PAL encourages diversity, equity, and inclusion and values diverse perspectives from all backgrounds