Summary

This position offers an opportunity to gain first-hand experience in an organization undertaking cutting-edge development policy, as well as the opportunity to work in close collaboration with experienced policy partners. The Senior Policy Manager will perform a variety of tasks related to leveraging existing data and evidence and developing new research agendas to drive greater use of evidence within the Ministries of Education and Gender, Labor and Social Development and the broader education, children and youth sectors. The (Senior) Policy Manager will lead the relationship with the government partners and other key sector stakeholders, coordinate activities, and manage project scope, delivery, and finances. Given the dynamic nature of working with government stakeholders, the (Senior) Policy Manager will be highly skilled in adaptive management and negotiation, revising project activities and timelines. We particularly encourage Ugandan nationals to apply. The (Senior) Policy Manager will report to the (Senior) Research and Policy Manager with dotted line oversight from the Global Policy team.

Responsibilities 

• Manage IPA’s technical assistance for the LMIC initiative scale-up in Uganda, which includes policy, monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL), activities.
• Drive these multiple streams of work forward towards a common goal of evidence-based education policy in Uganda, ensuring workstreams are well-coordinated and timely, and that IPA delivers on our strategies, activities, and outputs
• Directly supervise a highly functioning team to conduct this technical assistance, paying particular attention to their professional growth.
• Cultivate relationships with key local top-level decision-makers in the education sector related to the LMIC initiative scale-up, and ensure the project has their buy-in.
• Work together with the global policy and communications team to lead and/or participate in 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.
• Directly oversee project financial management, including supporting the creation of the project’s operating budget, being accountable for ongoing budget management, and developing and monitoring activity-specific budgets for the project; Lead donor reporting

Qualifications 

• Master’s degree in economics, development, international relations, public administration, public policy or a closely related field and 4 or more years of relevant experience, including at least 3 years of experience working closely with large NGOs and national government officials in Uganda; or a Bachelor’s degree in economics, development, international relations, public administration, public policy or a closely related field and 6 or more years of relevant experience. Exceptions may be made for excellent candidates who do not meet this criterion.
• Demonstrated commitment to the use of rigorous evidence for policy.
• Expertise in education, preferably in policy or implementation of large programs
• Knowledge of government policy making processes, systems for nationwide program implementation or development financing.
• Experience steering collaborative engagements, including co-creating workplans, Memoranda of Understanding etc
• Experience organizing events, such as conferences, workshops or round table discussions.
• 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.

Application Instructions 

Apply online

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 on 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 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. 

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.

Disclaimers

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.