Job Opportunity for Policy Manager – Social Protection at Poverty Action Lab

Country: India
Education: Master’s
Start Date (Earliest): 1 March 2022
Length of Commitment: More than two years

The Policy team at J-PAL South Asia (J-PAL SA) at the Institute of Financial Management and Research (IFMR) disseminates findings of J-PAL’s research; develops relationships with government, civil society, and academic stakeholders; catalyses scale-ups and replications of effective projects; and assists in conceptualizing new research projects. The team works closely with the global J-PAL office based at MIT to align the regional strategy with broader organizational objectives. J-PAL SA seeks a Policy Manager to contribute to its mission of promoting evidence-informed policy for J-PAL’s newly launched Social Protection sector and to support certain cross-sectoral outreach with government partners for the team. Descriptions of the programmes, key responsibilities, and other requirements for the role are as detailed below: 

KEY 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.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 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

Complete the J-PAL/IPA common application. After completing a brief registration, choose the Policy job category, then select Policy Manager – Social Protection – J-PAL South Asia  and include resume, cover letter, transcripts, and two recommendation letters. Note that applications with incomplete submissions will not be considered.

You are able to submit your application before your references complete their recommendation letters; however, you must include their contact information before submitting your application. Given the volume of applications received, only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview.