Summary of the role: J-PAL Africa is seeking a Senior Policy Associate to drive evidence-informed education reform across sub-Saharan Africa. You will work directly with governments and key system actors to translate rigorous research into practical policy and program decisions, and to support the design, adaptation, and scale-up of effective interventions.
As part of the Education team, you will play a central role in long-term partnerships where evidence has the potential to shape national priorities, improve learning outcomes, and advance gender equity. Your work will span identifying strategic opportunities for evidence use, supporting partners through the design and delivery of programs, and strengthening institutional capacity to make evidence a routine part of decision-making.
Responsibilities:
- Strategic partnerships and policy engagement:
- Build and maintain trusted relationships with government, NGO, and ecosystem partners in priority countries.
- Identify high-impact opportunities for evidence use including policy windows, pilots, scale-up pathways, and research collaborations.
- Represent J-PAL Africa in key sector forums and working groups to position evidence within national and regional reform conversations.
- Identify and nurture evidence champions within partner institutions.
- Evidence to action delivery:
- Translate rigorous research into clear, context-specific insights that inform policy and program decisions.
- Support partners to design or adapt evidence-informed and gender-intentional interventions by bringing relevant evidence, diagnostics, and expertise into the process.
- Provide technical assistance as partners develop, pilot, refine, and scale programs ensuring decisions align with evidence.
- Coordinate government partners, agencies, researchers, and teams to advance evidence-informed projects.
- Document emerging lessons and implementation insights.
- Capacity strengthening, convening, and thought leadership:
- Design and deliver capacity-strengthening activities including workshops, strategy sessions, and co-creation processes.
- Organize high-impact convenings and learning exchanges to encourage peer learning, collaboration, and demand for evidence.
- Contribute to thought leadership through policy products, presentations, blogs, and communications strengthening J-PAL Africa’s visibility.
Qualifications:
- Required:
- Master’s degree in Public Policy, Economics, Education, International Development, or a related social science field.
- At least three years of relevant work experience in policy, research, or program implementation.
- Excellent written, verbal communication skills in English and French.
- Strong interpersonal and presentation skills to manage diverse stakeholders; ability to prioritize tasks.
- Preferred:
- Knowledge of African education systems and gender equity/inclusion policies.
- Experience in impact evaluation methods and working in sub-Saharan Africa.
Terms: This position lasts two years with a possibility of extension. Preferred location is Accra, Ghana, though options based in Africa with onboarding trips to Ghana exist. Application link: placeholder.
This position was originally posted by The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL Africa) 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.