Policy Manager - Health

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 - Health, to advance our mission to reduce poverty by ensuring that policy is informed by scientific evidence. The Policy Manager will spearhead efforts to increase access to and use of water treatment products, building on evidence from Kenya (https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aaf6288), Malawi (https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/pol.20210121), and a meta-analysis (https://bfi.uchicago.edu/working-paper/2022-26/). Specifically, the Policy Manager will work with J-PAL Africa health lead and Scientific Director Pascaline Dupas and the Rwandan Biomedical Center to design, pilot, and scale a chlorine voucher program embedded within Rwandan government systems. We are looking for someone with a passion for using evidence to inform policy, a knack for developing strong relationships, a keen eye for identifying new opportunities, and a commitment to excellence. The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in strengthening health systems in Rwanda.

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.

Requirements for the job:

A Master’s degree in Public Policy, Economics, Public Health, or another similar social science, preferably including courses in econometrics/statistics, microeconomics, and development economics.

A minimum of four years of relevant work experience.

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. Most travel will be throughout Rwanda, with potential to travel elsewhere on the continent.

Advantageous:

Advanced writing and oral presentation skills in French and Kinyarwanda. 

Demonstrated interest and/or experience working in public health and/or health systems strengthening in Rwanda. 

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. 

Responsibilities include:

Strategic partnership building: Proactively develop strategic partnerships with government, NGO, and private sector actors in the maternal and child health (MCH) ecosystem in Rwanda. Simultaneously, build strong relationships with partner organizations adapting and scaling chlorine voucher programs elsewhere on the continent, including the Development Innovation Lab, Evidence Action, and funders. Organize, lead, and participate in convenings bringing together academics and practitioners.

Overseeing program design, piloting, process monitoring, and management: Lead program design by collaborating closely with actors within the Rwanda Biomedical Center, J-PAL Africa Health Sector Lead, academic lead Pascaline Dupas, and investigating the existing MCH structure through health clinic visits and conversations. Once designed, oversee the implementation of piloting and process monitoring activities. At times, this may include supporting enumerator training, monitoring the reliability of data collected, and possibly some data analysis. Throughout the rollout period, regularly share updates with key stakeholders.

Contribute to organizational learning: Regularly interrogate what is and is not working, including in discussion with colleagues within J-PAL (including our Evidence to Scale team) and at partner organizations. Document learnings in slide decks, written materials, and possibly an implementation guide. This will enable J-PAL to more effectively adapt, pilot, and scale similar programs in other contexts, and also contribute to our general learning on implementation research and the science of scaling. 

Leading communications management and strategy: Enhance the visibility of J-PAL Africa’s clean water portfolio, and our work with governments to adapt and scale evidence-informed policy. Contribute learnings through photos, social media posts, and possibly blogs, working closely with J-PAL Africa’s Communications Manager.

Fundraising for program expansion: Identify potential funders (including philanthropists, foundations, multilaterals and investors) with an interest in supporting the scaling of evidence-based programs to increase access to clean water in Africa. Build a pipeline of funders to support the continued scaling of a government-embedded clean vouchers program in Rwanda and to possibly expand to other contexts. Lead on the drafting and preparation of funding proposals, collaborating closely with the J-PAL Africa Health Sector lead.

Capacity building for key stakeholders: Identify opportunities to provide education and policy training events for counterparts within the Rwandan government (and neighboring countries, as relevant) and work with the J-PAL Education & Training team to plan events. This will include strategically initiating or participating in training and events to build and maintain relationships, disseminating evidence, as well as seeding opportunities for new streams of policy work. 

Coordination: Oversee the overall implementation of piloting and scaling activities, including supporting and monitoring the local implementing partner during the implementation of the project, and coordinating across J-PAL, the Rwanda Biomedical Center, and the local partner. Analyze and submit regular (likely monthly) reports to project stakeholders. 

Travel: Willingness to travel regularly throughout Rwanda as the project progresses and needs evolve, with occasional travel to other countries on the continent. 

This is a two-year position with the potential for extension and will be based in Kigali, Rwanda. J-PAL Africa is unable to sponsor a visa, and pre-existing right to work in Rwanda is required.