Position Summary
The Senior Policy Manager (SPM) will lead IPA Rwanda’s policy impact strategy, focusing on creating and managing high impact opportunities for policymakers to use evidence in decision-making. The role will primarily be responsible for leading a portfolio of education and social protection policy projects within IPA Rwanda’s Embedded Evidence Lab program, which supports governments in institutionalizing the use of data and evidence in their policy process. The SPM will develop the labs long-term research and impact strategies, and oversee their implementation in close collaboration with government partners, such as the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Local Government. The Senior Policy Manager will provide overall strategic vision to IPA’s Rwanda Embedded Evidence Lab program, represent IPA in high-level policy discussions, and play a crucial role in shaping and executing IPA’s policy agenda in the country. The SPM will report to the Deputy Country Director with dotted line oversight to the Senior Director of Embedded Labs from the global policy team. This role will also provide direct supervision to IPA Rwanda’s policy team, and collaborate substantially with the research team to advance IPA’s mission in the country.
Responsibilities
Strategy and Leadership
- Contribute to the development and implementation of the Policy team’s strategy in the country, including the management of new engagements as they arise
- Develop and lead the strategy and implementation of IPA Rwanda’s Education Embedded Lab within the Ministry of Education, and the Graduation Embedded Lab within the Ministry of Local Government.
- Provide strategic direction and oversight of the Supporting Teacher Achievements in Rwanda Schools (STARS) project: a collaborative initiative of the Education Embedded Lab together with Georgetown University to develop, evaluate and scale an evidence-based approach to incorporating learning outcomes in teachers’ performance contracts, or imihigo.
- Serve as a key representative of IPA to high-level external stakeholders, including government officials, donors, and partner organizations.
- Build and maintain strategic partnerships to advance IPA Rwanda’s Embedded Labs program, as well as policy influence and business opportunities, with support from the Global Policy team.
Oversight and Development
- Directly supervise IPA’s Rwanda’s Policy team, including staff members embedded in partner government agencies.
- Build the capacity of the Policy team, enhancing their ability to engage in effective policy dialogue, in collaboration with the Global Policy team.
- Develop annual work plans to provide direction and management support to the Policy team’s work.
- Ensure oversight and manage the scope of work, strategy, delivery, and finances of IPA’s Rwanda Embedded Evidence Labs program.
Business Development and Organizational Growth
- In consultation with the Deputy Country Director and the Global Policy team, lead efforts to identify and secure new funding opportunities to advance IPA’s policy work in the country,
- Proactively identify fundraising and business development opportunities, develop concept notes, and pursue opportunities in collaboration with global and country office-based staff.
Qualifications
- 7 or more years of relevant experience in public policy or applied research in the development sector.
- Demonstrated success managing teams and complex stakeholder relationships, particularly with senior government officials and donors.
- Experience working on evidence-to-policy translation, embedded technical assistance, or institutional capacity building is highly desirable.
- Proven experience in strategy design and implementation, particularly in government or multilateral settings.
- Experience in education and/or social protection sectors.
- Experience in leading business development opportunities.
- Master’s degree in economics, development, international relations, public administration, public policy, or a closely related field.
Reports to
Deputy Country Director
Location
Kigali, Rwanda
Deadline to Apply
6 August 2025
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.
This position was originally posted by IPA and has been curated by PurposePhil Career. To apply, please visit the original listing on the "apply" link below. We are not affiliated with the employer organization of this job ad or consultancy, and provide this curated listing as a service to our users.
