Education Policy Manager - J-PAL Africa

Background

The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) is a global network of academics who specialize in conducting randomized evaluations of social policies/programs to generate scientific evidence about what works in the fight against poverty. J-PAL’s policy team analyses and disseminates research results and builds partnerships with practitioners and policymakers to ensure that policy and programs are informed by scientific evidence, and effective programs are scaled up.

J-PAL Africa seeks a Policy Manager - Education, to advance our mission to reduce poverty by ensuring that policy is informed by scientific evidence. The Policy Manager will work with J-PAL Africa’s scientific directors, Professors Cally Ardington, Pascaline Dupas, and Isaac Mbiti while under the supervision of the J-PAL Africa Education lead and J-PAL Africa senior management, to define and execute key areas of focus for our education portfolio. The Policy Manager will spearhead a portion of J-PAL’s partnership with UNICEF country offices across Africa focused on capacity building in evidence-based policymaking (30%). Additionally, the Policy Manager would support the inception and implementation of a broad education policy and research agenda for J-PAL Africa (70%). We are looking for someone with a strong interest in strengthening education systems across Africa, a passion for using evidence to inform policy, a knack for developing strong relationships and building new partnerships, a keen eye for identifying new opportunities, and a commitment to excellence. 

The J-PAL Africa team provides supportive management structures and offers flexibility for accelerated growth by supporting proactivity and encouraging top performers to expand and develop their portfolio. This is a one-year position with potential for renewal.

Responsibilities Include

• UNICEF partnership stewardship: Build strong relationships with UNICEF country offices in support of incorporating FLN evidence into their programming throughout the continent. Identify key country engagements and organize, lead, and participate in workshops on evidence application in FLN bringing together academics and practitioners.
• Strategic partnership building: Contribute to strategic sector planning, developing a policy engagement strategy across key priority areas and countries. Proactively develop partnerships with government, NGO, and private sector actors in the education ecosystem by building relationships and identifying policy windows. In Liberia, steward technical assistance by identifying opportunities to generate, disseminate, and catalyze use of education evidence in partnership with the Government of Liberia and World Bank .
• Expanding evidence-sharing: Work with J-PAL Africa Education lead to set sector strategy and identify 2-3 priority African countries within Sub-Saharan Africa with major education needs in alignment with the evidence base. Conduct outreach to key education decision-makers to disseminate evidence through workshops tailored to emerging needs. 
• Fundraising for program expansion: Work with J-PAL Africa Education lead to build a pipeline of funders (including philanthropists, foundations, multilaterals and investors) with sector and mission alignment to J-PAL’s education sector work. Support the drafting and preparation of funding proposals. 

Requirements for the position:

• A Master’s degree in Public Policy, Economics, or another similar social science, preferably including courses in econometrics/statistics, microeconomics, and development economics.
• A minimum of five years of relevant work experience, including experience in a development organization with a focus on Africa
• Technical expertise in the Education sector or proven ability to quickly develop expertise
• Demonstrated ability to read and analyze rigorous quantitative research, including randomized evaluations, as well as interpret and share policy lessons from randomized evaluations.
• Demonstrated ability to build cross-organizational partnerships, develop new projects, and mobilize individuals to collaborate within evolving circumstances. 
• Advanced writing and oral presentation skills in English, particularly the ability to communicate technical topics in an accessible manner.
• Demonstrated leadership and program management experience, including contributing to team strategy, hiring and training staff.
• Strong skills in Excel, Word, and Powerpoint.
• Experience writing and managing budgets.
• Proven ability to handle multiple diverse assignments at one time, successfully complete assigned tasks and meet deadlines while conducting high-quality work.
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently and flexibly to support policy outreach, scoping research and training events.
• Must have a valid work permit (costs can be covered by J-PAL Africa)

Advantageous:

• Advanced writing and oral presentation skills in French.
• Demonstrated interest and/or experience working in education or education systems strengthening in sub-Saharan Africa. 
• One or more years working closely with large NGOs or governments to apply rigorous evidence to program or policy design and implementation.
• Someone with an entrepreneurial mindset who enjoys challenges, thrives in ambiguity, and derives satisfaction from problem-solving while collaborating closely with multiple stakeholders.
• Experience working in government or with a government-embedded policy team/unit.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct process monitoring or implementation research. 

This scope of work is subject to modification based on mutual agreement between the hired individual, J-PAL Africa Scientific Directors, Executive Director and J-PAL Africa Education lead overseeing the education portfolio.