Job Opportunity for Policy Manager – Health (Sector Lead) at J-PAL South Asia in New Delhi, India

## Policy Manager – Health (Sector Lead) – J-PAL South Asia

**About J-PAL**

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 over 1,000 researchers at universities around the world, J-PAL conducts randomized impact evaluations to answer critical questions in the fight against poverty.

**Job Location:** New Delhi, India

**Experience Required:** Relevant Master’s degree + 4 years full-time experience

**Job Description:**

J-PAL South Asia (J-PAL SA at IFMR) seeks a Policy Manager to contribute to its mission of promoting evidence-informed policy in J-PAL’s Health Sector. J-PAL’s Health sector focuses on identifying policies and programs effective in increasing access to quality health services, and improving health outcomes.

**Key Responsibilities:**

* **Evidence Generation:** Lead networking and follow-up with relevant government partners, civil society partners, donors and media to understand their policy priorities 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 innovations in health.

    * Provide support on building consensus on learning objectives, research design, and identifying funding opportunities for each partnership.

* **Evidence Synthesis and Dissemination:** Develop dissemination notes, toolkits and other knowledge products that synthesise and summarize evidence from J-PAL evaluations related to Health (e.g., evidence 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 Health sector work for evidence dissemination through customized decks, briefs, reports and op-eds.

    * Represent J-PAL SA at policy-relevant events and in meetings with relevant stakeholders, to share and present evidence.

    * Track policy developments in the Health space and communicate these developments internally to the team.

    * 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.

* **Sector Management:** Stay up to date on literature and policy developments in the sector, lead the development and execution of annual strategy for the health sector portfolio, and support fundraising efforts as and when needed.

* **People Management:** Manage and mentor P&T Associates and/ or Sr. P&T Associates, giving them support to perform better and prioritising their learning and skill development.

    * **Cross-vertical collaboration and public goods:** Participate in cross-vertical collaboration opportunities such as providing systematic support to an ongoing research project, capacity building of internal staff, etc.

**Qualifications:**

* **Education:** Master’s degree (preferably in economics, public policy, Health, or international development). A strong technical understanding of impact evaluations is preferred.

* **Experience:** This position requires four or more years of relevant experience in addition to a relevant Master’s degree. Demonstrated interest and experience in Health policy or program evaluation will be considered favourably.

* **Understanding Randomised Evaluations:** Demonstrate a keen understanding of the value of randomised 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 program evaluation as demonstrated by coursework and professional experience.

* **Language:** Fluency in English (written and oral). Fluency in an Indian language (written and oral) will be considered favourably.

**To Apply:**

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply through the J-PAL South Asia website. The application process requires first-time users to sign up and upload their CV, cover letter, and academic transcripts (optional). 

For any queries, please contact [email protected]