Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior Policy Manager - J-PAL Global
at Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL)
🏢 About Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL)
J-PAL (Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab) is a global research center working to reduce poverty by ensuring policy is informed by scientific evidence. What makes J-PAL unique is its rigorous randomized controlled trial (RCT) approach to evaluating social programs and its direct pipeline from academic research to real-world policy implementation. Someone would want to work here to be at the forefront of evidence-based policymaking and contribute to scaling proven interventions that alleviate poverty worldwide.
About This Role
This Senior Policy Manager role involves leading one of J-PAL's thematic sectors (like education, health, or social protection) to increase its policy influence globally. You'll be responsible for translating complex economic research into actionable policy lessons, building relationships with key government and NGO partners, and mentoring junior staff. The role is impactful because you'll directly shape how evidence from J-PAL's 1,000+ evaluations gets used by policymakers to improve programs affecting millions of people in poverty.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with reviewing new research from your sector's academic chairs, then meeting with your team to plan evidence dissemination for an upcoming policy campaign. You might spend midday drafting a policy memo synthesizing findings from multiple evaluations, followed by a call with government partners in a priority country to discuss scaling a proven intervention. The day could end with mentoring junior staff on their policy outreach strategies and preparing for a donor meeting about funding evidence adaptation.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) Is Looking For
- Holds a Master's in economics, public policy, or related field with demonstrated coursework in microeconomics, econometrics, and development economics
- Has 5+ years of experience in policy outreach, research translation, or program management within international development, preferably with exposure to RCT methodology
- Demonstrates proven ability to build relationships with senior policymakers and donors, with experience in evidence synthesis and creating policy briefs for non-academic audiences
- Shows strong leadership and mentorship skills, with experience managing teams and coordinating cross-functional initiatives in a research or policy organization
📝 Tips for Applying to Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL)
Explicitly mention which J-PAL sector/pillar you're most interested in leading (e.g., Education, Health, Social Protection) and why, based on their current initiatives
Highlight any experience with evidence synthesis or translating academic research into policy materials, using specific examples of publications or briefs you've created
Demonstrate knowledge of J-PAL's specific RCT evaluations by referencing 1-2 studies from their database that relate to your sector of interest
Show how you've built policy partnerships before, quantifying results (e.g., 'secured meetings with 5 ministry officials resulting in 2 policy adoptions')
Tailor your resume to show the 40/30/10/20 time allocation from the job description, using similar language about sector management, evidence communication, and policy strategy
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your specific experience managing policy outreach for development programs, with examples of how you've increased policy influence or scaled evidence-based interventions", "Demonstrated ability to translate economic research for policymakers, mentioning specific types of materials you've created (policy memos, briefs, synthesis publications)", 'Your approach to mentoring and supervising teams in a research or policy environment, with examples of staff development outcomes', "Knowledge of J-PAL's current policy priorities and how your background aligns with their global strategy (mention specific initiatives like the Innovation in Government Initiative or sector-specific campaigns)"]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review J-PAL's current policy publications and evidence syntheses in your sector of interest, noting their key policy recommendations and partner organizations
- → Study J-PAL's organizational structure, including their sector/pillar divisions and regional offices, to understand where this role fits
- → Research J-PAL's major policy initiatives like the Innovation in Government Initiative (IGI) or sector-specific campaigns to understand their current priorities
- → Look into J-PAL's academic leadership and Chairs to understand the research expertise you'd be working with in your sector
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic application without mentioning J-PAL's specific sectors, evidence products, or policy initiatives
- Focusing only on research experience without demonstrating policy translation skills or partnership-building examples
- Showing lack of understanding about RCT methodology or J-PAL's evidence-based approach by using vague language about 'data' instead of specific evaluation methods
📅 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 Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL)!