Senior Policy Associate

Working at MIT offers opportunities, an environment, a culture – and benefits – that just aren’t found together anywhere else. If you’re curious, motivated, want to be part of a unique community, and help shape the future – then take a look at this opportunity.

SENIOR POLICY ASSOCIATE (EDUCATION), Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), to contribute to J-PAL’s mission of promoting evidence-informed policy.  Will support J-PAL staff in the administration of the Post-Primary Education Initiative (PPE), which aims to generate a body of rigorous evidence through systematic research on open questions in secondary, vocational, and tertiary education. This will entail processing grant proposals, coordinating with researchers, and supporting partnership development between implementing groups and research affiliates to spark new research projects. Other tasks will involve communication, analysis, and specialization. Responsibilities include creating materials for policy outreach, including publications, evaluation summaries, presentations, and website content; organizing events for policymakers; building relationships with key partners in governments, NGOs, foundations, and multilateral aid agencies worldwide; presenting J-PAL’s work and research; serving as a liaison between J-PAL Global and one of J-PAL’s regional offices; and providing support to broader J-PAL projects. The position is ideal for someone who is very interested in international education/international development policy and the rigorous research that informs it. 

Job Requirements

REQUIRED: a bachelor’s degree in economics, public policy, or closely related field that included coursework in microeconomics, econometrics, and development economics; at least four years’ relevant work experience; comfort learning computer applications, including Salesforce; detail-orientation; strong writing and strategic thinking skills; understanding of and ability to communicate policy lessons from technical academic research in ways that policymakers and practitioners understand; ability to handle multiple projects at once with little supervision, meet deadlines, and effectively manage time as well as others; and self-motivation. Must enjoy working in teams.

PREFERRED:  a master’s degree and knowledge of Spanish, French, or other languages. Job #19124