Policy and Research Associate - UM6P-J-PAL Agriculture Lab for Africa (UJALA)

Position Overview:

We are recruiting a Policy and Research Associate to be based at University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P) in Rabat, Morocco. The UM6P-J-PAL Agricultural Lab for Africa (UJALA) generates rigorous, policy-relevant evidence on small-scale agriculture and food security in Africa. The Associate will play a central role in delivering the UJALA African Scholars Program—supporting scholar recruitment, mentorship coordination, proposal reviews, and overall program implementation. In addition, they will contribute to UJALA’s broader research and training workstreams by supporting research coordination and helping design and deliver training content. This role sits across UJALA’s Policy & Communications and Research & Training verticals and involves close collaboration with African scholars, UM6P partners, and J-PAL’s global and regional teams.

About UJALA: J-PAL and UM6P are partnering to form the UM6P-J-PAL Agricultural Lab for Africa (UJALA). UJALA funds research to rigorously evaluate agricultural technologies and practices designed to increase small-scale farmers’ food security, productivity, and profitability. UJALA aims to answer critical questions related to designing and delivering effective food and agricultural subsidies, assessing the value of fertilizer customization to crop needs and soil nutrients, reducing low-income households’ reliance on imported food, alleviating farmers’ constraints to adopting and maintaining new agricultural technologies and practices, and connecting farmers to markets that sell at competitive prices.

About UM6P: University Mohammed VI Polytechnic is an institution oriented towards applied research and innovation with a focus on Africa. The University is engaged in economic and human development and puts research and innovation at the forefront of African development. This enables it to consolidate Morocco’s frontline position in these fields, using a unique partnership-based approach, and boost skills training relevant for the future of Africa.

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 200 affiliated professors at universities around the world, J-PAL conducts randomized impact evaluations to answer critical questions in the fight against poverty.

J-PAL values diversity, equity, and inclusivity in our work and the broader perspectives our staff bring. We encourage people of color, first generation college students/graduates, and other underrepresented groups to apply to this role. In your cover letter, please consider sharing how your racial, gender, socioeconomic and/or other identity has influenced your drive and desire to work at J-PAL. (This is not required, but rather an opportunity for us to get to know you.

Responsibilities:

• Scholars Program coordination and delivery (30%):
• Coordinate scholar application intake, eligibility screening, and onboarding communications.
• Organize and schedule pre-proposal calls, DEDP training timelines, capstone workshops, and regular mentorship check-ins.
• Maintain up-to-date scholar progress records, feedback tracking, and communication logs.
• Provide logistical and administrative support for training delivery, including webinar sessions and final restitution exercises.
• Assist in organizing convenings, info sessions, and program launch events.
• Support coordination with J-PAL staff for proposal reviews, mentor assignments, and training content delivery.

Research (25%)

• Support research development and coordination for UJALA projects, including desk research, literature reviews, and protocol drafting.
• Assist in the design and refinement of impact evaluations led by UJALA or its partners, including input on research questions, instruments, and implementation plans.
• Help coordinate with implementing partners and field teams during study planning and rollout.
• Contribute to analysis, synthesis, and documentation of research findings for policy and academic outputs.
• Assist in drafting research briefs, slide decks, and internal summaries to support decision-making and stakeholder engagement.
• Mentorship coordination and proposal review (15%)
• Manage and document mentor-mentee communications, expectations, and progress checkpoints.
• Coordinate check-ins between scholars and mentors, and assist with the drafting and review of mentor agreements.
• Ensure scholar proposals align with UJALA research priorities and meet evaluation standards.
• Track submission, review, and revision of scholar proposals through UJALA’s request for proposals and proposal review processes.
• Support logistical, documentation, and reporting needs of UJALA’s donor, partners, and governing bodies.

Training (15%)

• Support UJALA's capacity building activities by preparing original and curating existing content for presentations, case studies, and knowledge products tailored to different policy and research audiences.
• Present technical content and facilitate discussions or breakout sessions at trainings, policy events, and capacity-building workshops.
• Develop guides, presentations, and documentation to assist policymakers and implementing partners new to randomized evaluations.
• Help organize and implement UJALA and J-PAL training programs—including courses such as Evaluating Social Programs—targeted at policy and academic audiences.
• Assist in planning and executing events that promote research collaboration and disseminate policy insights from completed studies.
• Outreach and scholar engagement (15%)
• Conduct outreach to academic institutions, alumni of the UJALA Custom Training Program, and relevant professional registries.
• Manage the scholar-facing communications calendar and respond to inquiries from potential applicants.
• Compile and synthesize mid- and end-of-program scholar feedback.
• Assist in developing program materials, FAQs, and informational resources for applicants and participants.

Supervision 

The Policy and Research Associate will work under the supervision of the Senior Policy Associate and the Senior Research Associate.

Qualifications and Skills: 

• Education: A master’s degree in a relevant field is required.  
• Experience: Up to two years’ experience in program coordination, policy engagement, academic or research administration, or training delivery. Technical familiarity with randomized evaluations, impact evaluation methods, or research capacity building in Sub-Saharan Africa is strongly preferred. Experience working in international development, academic institutions, or policy-oriented research settings is a plus.
• Work style: Attention to detail, ability to work on projects independently and make decisions, along with a willingness to pitch in to get projects and tasks done.
• Travel: Willingness and ability to travel internationally required. Position may require travel to events, project locations or J-PAL Offices.
• Time Management: Proven ability to handle several different projects/tasks at one time and meet deadlines. A willingness to work hard, be self-motivated and learn will be essential for doing well in this position. Punctuality and consistency in work hours is required.
• Communication: Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and confidently orally and in writing is required. Ability to build good relationships and work within a team; ability to communicate clearly with a broad range of stakeholders. Is empowered to communicate compliance, legal or financial concerns to teams or management. Experience with presentations. Advanced proficiency in English and French is required. 
• Attention to Detail: Strong ability to self-manage a time-sensitive workflow while maintaining high quality output and absolute accuracy with details.
• Cultural competencies: You are comfortable and adept at working in a diverse and multicultural work environment, with colleagues, partners and policymakers from around the world. You display sensitivity, adaptability, and inclusivity in your engagement with people from diverse backgrounds including age, ability, culture, gender, nationality, race and ethnicity, religion, sexuality, socioeconomic status, and other identities. Experience with living in Morocco or a low- or middle-income country is a strong advantage.

Benefits:

This position offers a competitive salary, life & health insurance, retirement benefits, maternity leave and paid vacations.