Policy Associate

University of Chicago; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 70,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Chicago's Development Innovation Lab seeks a Policy Associate to craft and edit communications, speeches, briefs, and presentations translating cutting-edge research into policy impact.

You will collaborate with researchers, policymakers, and donors across climate, food security, and agriculture, helping expand DIL's influence and forge partnerships while managing multiple projects with deadlines.

Qualifications

• Education: college or university degree in a related field.
• Work experience: < 2 years in a related job discipline.
• Masters degree preferred in Economics, Public Policy, or closely related field.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with project teams to develop and execute communication strategies.
• Oversee or support preparation of speeches, presentations, and other high-level communications.
• Draft high-impact policy briefs, white papers, and presentations for senior policymakers.
• Support the team in crafting compelling narratives that showcase DIL's impact to diverse audiences.
• Support development of comprehensive policy strategies aligned with DIL's research agenda.
• Identify opportunities for policy-relevant research and advise research teams accordingly.
• Coordinate engagement with policymakers, multilateral institutions, and major donors.

Skills

Strong writing

Policy analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Research communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree in Economics/Public Policy

Job description

Department SSD Development Economics Center: Staff and Temporary Employees

About the Department The Development Innovation Lab at the University of Chicago uses the tools of economics to develop innovations with the potential to benefit millions of people in low- and middle-income countries. It was founded and is led by Nobel laureate Michael Kremer. DIL brings researchers in different fields together with governments, firms and non-profit organizations to identify, test, refine and scale innovations.

Job Summary The job writes a variety of communications for the University. Works with moderate/high levels of guidance to research, compose, and edit communications, publications and/or reports. The Policy Associate will help advance the research agenda of the Development Innovation Lab (DIL) by fostering relationships, communicating research findings, and identifying opportunities for collaboration and impact. This role will also play a crucial role in supporting engagement with policymakers, multilateral institutions, bilateral donors, academic partners, and implementing partners to scale innovations related to climate change, food security, and agriculture. Policy Associate will work at the intersection of cutting-edge economic research and high-level policy application. This position is instrumental in expanding DIL's influence in the global development community and translating innovative research into real-world impact. This is an ideal position for a candidate who is interested in making significant contributions in the field of development economics and policy. The Policy Associate will be assigned to one of several teams at DIL — including the Agriculture team, Water team, or the Office of the Faculty Director (OFD) — and will work closely with Lead Researchers or with Faculty Director Michael Kremer's Chief of Staff.

The ideal candidate possesses strong writing skills, technical knowledge of development economics, policy, and the ability to work efficiently across many projects and teams. This position is well-suited for someone interested in a career at the intersection of research and policy.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with project teams to develop and execute communication strategies.
• Oversee or support the preparation of speeches, presentations, and other high-level communications.
• Support the team in crafting compelling narratives that showcase DIL's impact to diverse audiences.
• Support the development of comprehensive policy strategies aligned with DIL's research agenda.
• Draft high-impact policy briefs, white papers, and presentations for senior policymakers.
• Provide policy guidance to the team.
• Support the translation of DIL's cutting-edge research into policy recommendations.
• Identify opportunities for policy-relevant research and advise research teams accordingly.
• Contribute to research projects with significant policy implications.
• Support the team in cultivating and maintaining relationships with stakeholders in multilateral organizations, governments, and major donors.
• Help prepare DIL team members for high-profile policy events and global conferences.
• As needed, participate in these events.
• Support strategic discussions with policymakers.
• Coordinate work by research professionals, program associates , and other project staff.
• Contribute to the team’s workload, ensuring high-quality outputs and adherence to deadlines.
• Support the fostering of a collaborative environment that encourages innovation and professional growth.
• Assists in the research, verification, writing and editing publications, which can includes technical/scientific material for manuals or journals.
• Uses knowledge of writing with moderate to high levels of guidance to write in-depth pieces.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
• Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• Certifications: ---

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Masters degree in Economics, Public Policy, or a closely related field.
• Experience: Demonstrated experience in policy roles, preferably in international development.
• Preferred Competencies Strong network, and experience, within multilateral institutions, government agencies, and/or the development sector.
• Experience influencing policy at national or international levels
• Excellent leadership and team management skills.
• Demonstrated expertise in development economics and a strong understanding of empirical research methods.
• Ability to assess the quality of economic evidence and cost effectiveness for economic innovations.
• Knowledge of randomized controlled trials and other empirical methods used in economics.
• Experience related to smallholder agriculture in a low- or middle-income country setting.
• Excellent writing skills, including the ability to translate technical ideas into non-technical content.
• Outstanding verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas to diverse audiences.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills including the ability to meet external and internal deadlines.

Job Family Communications Role Impact Individual Contributor Scheduled Weekly Hours 37.5 Drug Test Required No Health Screen Required No Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required No Pay Rate Type Salary FLSA Status Exempt Pay Range $70,400.00 - $82,500.00 The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible Yes The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

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