Sr. Policy Manager, Embedded Labs Program at Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA)

Empowering Global Policy Through Evidence: Join Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) as a Sr. Policy Manager

Are you passionate about leveraging rigorous data and evidence to shape public policy and combat global poverty? Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), a renowned research and policy nonprofit dedicated to discovering and promoting effective solutions to global poverty, is seeking a talented professional for the role of Sr. Policy Manager, Embedded Labs Program.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Embedded Labs, this position sits at the forefront of putting governments in the driver's seat to generate and utilize critical data for decision-making. IPA's Embedded Labs initiative embeds teams within government organizations to strengthen the use of data and evidence in public policy. With a rapidly expanding portfolio encompassing 23 labs across 10 countries and 9 sectors—including education, finance, social protection, and gender—this program is scaling new heights, and you can be a vital part of its next phase of growth.

Key Responsibilities

The Sr. Policy Manager will oversee a comprehensive range of program functions, split across three core areas:

• Program Delivery and Technical Support: Provide project management and technical assistance to individual Lab engagements from design to implementation. Support monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) initiatives to assess program impact and establish best practices.
Knowledge Management, Training, and Thought Leadership: Develop onboarding materials and training for Embedded Labs staff. Generate public-facing outputs such as case studies, toolkits, and evidence reviews to influence both internal and external audiences.
Business Development and External Engagement: Collaborate on fundraising and business development opportunities, manage grant reporting, and coordinate strategic events like the annual Cross-Country Learning Exchange.

Qualifications and Skills

We are looking for a driven professional who brings a blend of technical acumen, project management, and strategic communication skills:

• Master’s degree in economics, development, public policy, public administration, international relations, or a closely related field (or equivalent professional experience).
• 3+ years of relevant experience in analyzing and communicating complex research results, including at least 1 year working closely with large NGOs or governments, preferably in a Low- and Middle-Income Country (LMIC) context.
• Strong quantitative skills and a demonstrated understanding of rigorous evidence in international development policy.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate technical research into accessible insights.
• Proven ability to manage multi-country projects, supervise staff, and multitask under tight deadlines.
• Prior experience with IPA, government teams, research, or MEL is strongly preferred.

Method of Application

If you are ready to make a meaningful impact on global poverty reduction and meet the qualifications for this exciting role, please submit your application through the official Innovations for Poverty Action careers portal or follow the designated application link provided below.