Policy Manager

Position Summary

IPA Liberia is seeking a Policy Manager to lead IPA Liberia’s provision of technical assistance for the scale up of the Network for Empowerment & Progressive Initiative (NEPI)’s Sustainable Transformation of Youth in Liberia (STYL) program. The Policy Manager will work collaboratively across IPA and partners to drive IPA’s support to NEPI as they scale STYL. The Policy Manager will lead the relationship with NEPI, government partners, and other key local stakeholders, coordinate activities led by other IPA teams, and manage project scope, delivery, and finances. The Policy Manager will report to the IPA Liberia Country Director with dotted-line oversight from a Global Associate Director of Policy.

Responsibilities

Project management

• Manage IPA’s technical assistance for the STYL scale-up, which includes policy, monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL), activities;
• Drive these multiple streams of work forward towards a common goal of the evidence-based scaling of STYL, 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;
• Financial reporting and donor management
• 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

Stakeholder engagement 

• Cultivate relationships with key local top-level decision-makers in the social protection sector related to the STYL 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

Sharing evidence to inform program scaling

• Provide recommendations and insight from previous and ongoing research findings to inform critical decisions on implementation activities
• Update STYL implementation toolkit / guidelines based on previous research findings and results from additional testing of theory of change assumptions and program adaptations

Implementation of MEL strategy

• Oversee implementation of MEL activities, including:
• Developing a learning agenda for the scale-up
• Supporting NEPI key assumptions in the STYL theory of change, including developing testing strategies to address learning needs
• Supporting NEPI staff to execute the MEL activities associated with program implementation
• Identifying potential adaptations to the existing model needed at scale, and conducting small-scale pilots of promising adaptations within the ongoing roll-out.
• Train partner staff on MEL activities associated with program implementation

Exploring program institutionalization through government

• Identify linkages between STYL and existing government programs and map the changes in policies, regulations, budgets, etc needed to institutionalize linkages within government
• Engage with government leadership about potential institutional changes to incorporate STYL into existing government CBT programs and pilot collaborations
• Pilot NEPI / government collaborations to incorporate STYL into existing government programs
• Determine selection criteria and a training and quality assurance model for institutions who have the potential to deliver STYL within Liberia

Qualifications

Required

• Master’s degree in economics, development, international relations, public administration, public policy or a closely related field; Bachelor's degree holders may be considered based on experience.
• 5+ years of relevant experience analyzing and communicating complex research results to various audiences, including at least 1 year of experience working closely with large NGOs or governments, preferably in a developing country context.
• Demonstrated commitment to the use of rigorous evidence for policy.
• Knowledge of government policy making processes, systems for nationwide program implementation or development financing.
• 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.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to effectively communicate with senior officials in government and other partner organizations.

Preferred

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the social protection sector in Liberia
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint; proficiency with Publisher and Photoshop or other graphics editors is desirable
• Understanding of research methodologies and Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) is a plus.

Reports to

Country Director

Location

Monrovia, Liberia

Deadline to Apply

October 18th, 2024

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