Senior Policy Associate
About Innovations for Poverty Action
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.
Responsibilities
● Collaborate closely with government officials to co-design, implement, and evaluate evidence-based policy experiments, contributing to a culture of continuous learning and improvement within government agencies.
● Co-lead the entire lifecycle of policy and research projects with government agencies, from ideation and refinement to evaluation and scaling.
● Support the designing and execution of activities intended to establish embedded evidence units and enable government agencies to deliver more effective programs and policies.
● Design and executive technical assistance activities to build capacities in government officials to systematically generate and use data and evidence for decision-making.
● Support the Associate Director of Policy and Development and Policy Manager(s) in
developing new projects, partnerships, and initiatives in Colombia, establishing, expanding and managing relationships with the government, researchers, implementing partners and funders, and developing and identifying new windows for the development of research projects.
● Design and implement monitoring systems of interventions ensuring that the plan is executed correctly.
● Design data collection procedures and analyze data along with researchers and policy makers.
● Support literature reviews and other tasks relevant to the assigned projects.
● Participate in the research design processes at different stages.
● Work together with the team of analysts and interns in project activities.
● Work with the researchers, the IPA team, government partners and other stakeholders that are part of the projects to interpret the results and share findings strategically.
● Support the development of reports and presentations for different audiences in English and Spanish.
● Write project reports and deliverables, as well as participate in the drafting of
summaries and policy briefs, among others.
● Perform other tasks assigned by the supervisor.
● Maintain compliance with all organizational policies and procedures.
Requirements
● Undergraduate degree in Economics, Government, Public Policy, Political Science,
Administration, Finance, Engineering or related with a quantitative approach.
● At least 3 years of work experience after obtaining the first undergraduate degree, preferably related to policy and research projects, and/or data analysis, and/or working for the public sector or working/coordinating closely with public servants
● Ability to understand academic research studies and analyze bodies of research.
● Ability to manage relationships with partners and counterparts.
● Communications skills and ability to translate research findings into actionable policy recommendations.
● Experience implementing capacity-building and technical assistance activities to government agencies.
● Familiarity with impact evaluations and specifically with randomized experiments.
● Strong quantitative skills and knowledge of data management and analysis in
Stata/R.
● Knowledge of statistical and econometric concepts.
● Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and lead teams.
● Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines while maintaining a positive attitude and providing exemplary customer service.
● Project and team management skills, and capacity to plan and be organized, have attention to detail and ability to work in a team and individually.
● Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Spanish including the ability to communicate effectively and assertively.
● Microsoft Office skills (Word, Excel, Power Point)
● Permission to work in Colombia and availability to live in Medellín and the metropolitan area.
Application Instructions
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