Senior Policy Manager, Health- J-PAL Africa

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 Senior Policy Manager - Health, to advance our mission to reduce poverty by ensuring that policy is informed by scientific evidence. The Senior Policy Manager will spearhead efforts to increase access to and use of water treatment products, building on evidence from Kenya , Malawi, and a meta-analysis. Specifically, the Senior Policy Manager will lead the Scaling Access to Safe Water in Africa (SASWA) portfolio, working with J-PAL Africa Scientific Director Pascaline Dupas and the SASWA team to scope new contexts in which we can co-design, pilot, and scale a chlorine voucher program embedded within existing maternal and child health care systems. The Senior Policy Manager will also advise concrete piloting and scaling efforts as they are developed, including ongoing efforts in Rwanda. We are looking for someone with a passion for using evidence to inform policy, an ability to develop strong relationships with government partners, a keen eye for identifying new opportunities, and a commitment to excellence. The ideal candidate will speak French and have a strong interest in strengthening health systems in Africa.

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, or another similar social science, preferably including courses in econometrics/statistics, microeconomics, and development economics.
• A minimum of six 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 both English and French, particularly the ability to communicate technical topics in an accessible manner.
• Demonstrated leadership and programme 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 internationally frequently and flexibly to support policy outreach, scoping research and training events. 

Advantageous:

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

Responsibilities include:

Manage SASWA team and strategic portfolio: Manage three Policy Managers each leading different elements of the SASWA portfolio. Define and track measurable goals for each team member and provide regular coaching and feedback. In parallel, develop overarching team strategy and goals. To do this effectively, it will require developing a detailed knowledge of J-PAL’s clean water literature and evidence to policy frameworks.

Strategic partnership building: Proactively develop strategic partnerships with government, NGO, and private sector actors in the maternal and child health (MCH) ecosystems in the countries we are scoping. 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.

Scoping new partnerships across the continent, and overseeing program design, piloting, process monitoring, and management: Oversee efforts to scope opportunities to embed a chlorine voucher program in existing maternal and child health programs in 13 countries. This will include serving as a thought partner to two scoping Policy Managers, supporting relationship development, traveling to investigate existing MCH structures, and more. In countries with ongoing projects, this will include supporting program design by collaborating closely with government actors and academic lead, Pascaline Dupas. Once designed, oversee the implementation of piloting and process monitoring activities. 

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 and financial management 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 multiple contexts in Africa. Lead the development of funding proposals and maintain donor relationships. Oversight and tracking of all financial expenditures associated with the SASWA grants. 

Capacity building for key stakeholders: Identify opportunities to provide education and policy training events for counterparts within government 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.  

Travel: Willingness to travel regularly throughout sub-Saharan Africa as the project progresses and needs evolve.

This is a one year position with the potential for extension and will be based in Accra, Ghana or Nairobi, Kenya. The annual cost of employment is between USD 68,000 to 83,000 depending on qualifications and experience.