Policy Manager
Position Summary
Innovations for Poverty Action seeks a Policy Manager who will work closely with global and local teams to drive IPA Nigeria’s evidence to impact agenda. The Policy Manager will pursue scale-up opportunities of promising programs, create and manage opportunities for policymakers to use evidence in decision-making, scope replications of evidence-based programs that have been rigorously evaluated in other contexts, and will develop funding opportunities to resource strategic policy projects. The Policy Manager will report to IPA Nigeria’s Country Director with dotted line oversight from the global policy team and substantial collaboration with Nigeria research teams.
Responsibilities
20%
Lead IPA’s Policy Outreach Strategy
Represent IPA Nigeria in meetings and communications with relevant stakeholders
Work together with the global policy team to lead strategic events for policy purposes, including but not limited to summits, conferences, workshops, technical working groups, and round tables. Support researchers and country management to participate.
In collaboration with researchers and in support of the country director, represent IPA locally in policy conversations and at events.
Support research management staff in executing the “Policy Impact Minimum Must Dos” and in identifying and stewarding high potential partner relationships, particularly with senior levels within government or large organizations.
40%
Cultivate and Manage High Impact Policy Opportunities
Lead Nigeria in continuously identifying and prioritizing high impact policy opportunities for evidence to be used
Map key NGO, government, and development partner stakeholders with influence in priority sectors to be agreed with the Country Director and Global Policy team.
Perform desk research to identify existing evidence, gaps in the literature, and innovative interventions in priority areas, in partnership with global teams
Cultivate relationships with key local decision-makers in 3-4 sectors to identify their policy priorities, particularly those with decision-making authority over particular evidence-to-impact opportunities.
Launch high impact policy opportunities, including opportunities to provide decision-makers with technical assistance for scaling-up or replicating evidence-based programs; initiating evidence-to-policy labs; and/or writing and implementing evidence-informed policies, and either manage small-scale engagements personally with global support, or collaborate with global teams to raise funds for additional staff to realize these opportunities. Specifically, these opportunities include the following:
Developing and leading opportunities to scale successful research studies
Ensure that lessons from evaluations of effective programs are developed and communicated effectively
Work in close coordination with government and other partners to design and implement strategies for project scale-ups
Coordinate with IPA Nigeria’s research team to ensure that research findings are properly incorporated into scaling strategies
Scope opportunities for replication studies in Nigeria
Conduct desk research on rigorously evaluated interventions that have the potential to be replicated in Nigeria
Liaise with IPA sector and scaling teams to identify promising replication opportunities
Proactively reach out to and coordinate with interested researchers and partners to lead replication studies in Nigeria
40%
Proactively identify opportunities and cultivate relationships that lead to developing large-scale policy evaluations with key decision-makers. Support research teams and researchers in development and execution
Identify opportunities and cultivate relationships that lead to developing field replications to consolidate research on key policy-relevant research questions. Support research teams and researchers in development and execution
Together with the Country Director, act as lead steward to key partner relationships and support key research partner conversations
Proactively identify fundraising and business development opportunities for research on programs, develop concept notes, and pursue opportunities in collaboration with global and country office-based staff
Write and edit grant proposals and adapt past proposals to apply to new donors
Expand and improve IPA Nigeria’s proposal development resources, information management, and stock language
Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.
Maintain compliance with all company policies and procedures.
Qualifications
Required
Master’s degree in economics, development, international relations, public administration, public policy, or a closely related field strongly preferred. Will accept additional experience in place of master’s.
Five or more years of relevant experience, including at least 1 year of experience working closely with local government officials.
Knowledge of and demonstrated interest in international development policy required.
Attention to detail and advanced presentation skills for communicating policy lessons from academic papers in ways that policymakers understand. This requires clear, precise, non-technical writing and confident, effective spoken communication and presentation style.
Experience in leading business development opportunities and proposal writing.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills: the ability to effectively convene and liaise with a variety of people in multiple organizations in a multi-cultural environment and across many time zones.
Proven ability to multitask and successfully complete projects on tight deadlines with little supervision.
Willingness to work hard, be self-motivated, and learn will be essential for doing well in this position.
Ability to supervise staff and manage projects independently.
Reports to
Country Director, Nigeria
Deadline to Apply
March 6th, 2025
Location
Abuja, Nigeria
Application Instructions
About IPA
Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) is a research and policy nonprofit that discovers and promotes effective solutions to global poverty problems. IPA brings together researchers and decision-makers to design, rigorously evaluate, and refine these solutions and their applications, ensuring that the evidence created is used to improve the lives of the world’s poor. In recent decades, trillions of dollars have been spent on programs designed to reduce global poverty, but clear evidence of which programs succeed is rare, and when evidence does exist, decision-makers often do not know about it. IPA exists to bring together leading researchers and these decision-makers to ensure that the evidence we create leads to a tangible impact on the world. Since its founding in 2002, IPA has worked with over 600 leading academics to conduct over 900 evaluations in 52 countries. This research has informed hundreds of successful programs that now impact millions of individuals worldwide.
Safeguarding at IPA
At Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), we are committed to creating a safe and respectful environment for all individuals, particularly children and vulnerable adults. As IPA adheres to strict safeguarding principles, selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards. By joining IPA, you become part of a team dedicated to ethical conduct, social responsibility, and meaningful impact in the fight against global poverty. Together, we work to create a better world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive with dignity and respect.
IPA's Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
As an organization, IPA is dedicated to improving the lives of the world's most vulnerable populations through evidence and policy. We also recognize how important it is for our staff to reflect the diversity of the places where we work and the communities we work with. As such, IPA is committed to hiring from a diverse pool of candidates, from a range of backgrounds, beliefs, experiences, and perspectives. We know that this makes our work stronger and more responsive to the challenges faced by those we work with and for and we encourage people from historically underrepresented groups to apply. Click here to learn more about IPA’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Innovations for Poverty Action is an affirmative action-equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected class. IPA will endeavor to make a reasonable accommodation to a qualified applicant with a disability unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. If you believe you require such assistance to complete this form or to participate in an interview, please contact us at jobs@poverty-action.org or via phone at 1-202-386-6200. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work to be performed by the specified position. The statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all possible duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary. Please note that IPA will never request any form of payment from an applicant. Applicants are encouraged to confirm the information listed above with IPA prior to releasing any extensive personal information to the organization. Please direct questions to jobs@poverty-action.org. Please note that only qualified applicants will be contacted by the hiring manager