Policy Associate / Manager and Policy & Communications Manager - Development Innovation Lab

The Development Innovation Lab is running a policy hiring drive especially targeting policy associates and managers, and a policy communications manager. The summary below shares an informal description of these roles. Candidates will be evaluated as a common pool for the policy manager and associate positions. Selected candidates will be directed to apply to the appropriate UChicago position.

The Policy Associate / Manager will help prepare material for policymakers to disseminate findings from DIL’s research and policy work and identify new opportunities to scale promising innovations. Successful candidates will work closely with research teams on their portfolio(s) and with Michael Kremer’s Office of the Faculty Director to expand our reach and advance innovations with the potential to improve the lives of millions in low- and middle-income countries.

The Policy & Communications Manager will raise DIL’s digital profile by increasing our digital presence and supporting broader strategic communications objectives. This person will coordinate with research and policy staff to turn complex economics and policy research into compelling digital content, and will drive DIL’s digital presence by using performance data and analytics to maximize reach and impact.

Illustrative responsibilities

Illustrative responsibilities include the following but will vary based on the exact position. 

These roles will support or lead a policy portfolio at DIL. In 2026, policy associates/managers will support opportunities to scale high-impact innovations in digital agriculture, water (in-line chlorination), and a generalist portfolio with a heavy focus on AI for development.

• Cultivating Opportunities to Embed Innovation and Scale Evidence-Based Policy
  • Conduct desk research on key partners and opportunities and suggest plans of how to take advantage of opportunities
  • Engage with multilateral development banks: build relationships with MDB counterparts, write/manage MOUs, identify opportunities in upcoming loans/grants, provide or facilitate TA
  • Manage the budgets for policy projects
  • Identify and pursue funding opportunities for policy opportunities
• Disseminating Results
• In coordination with research and communications staff, develop policy materials: policy briefs, reports, press releases, and social media content
• Contribute to external policy products, such as donor briefings, government memos, or emails to key partners
• Help design and achieve DIL’s communications approach
• Amplify DIL’s online presence
• Support DIL team members to improve communications
• Supporting Faculty Director Michael Kremer
• Lead/contribute to Michael Kremer’s presentations, briefs, and talking points, especially related to the policy projects
• Proactively identify strategic speaking/outreach opportunities for Michael Kremer and senior DIL leadership
• Support with coordination for Michael Kremer’s field-based travel (as assigned).

What you will gain from this role

• Learn about evidence and policy by working directly with professor Michael Kremer
• Develop expertise in a sector and in evidence and rigorous policy analysis
• Build skills in program management, budget management, writing, stakeholder engagement, MDB operations, grant writing, and relationship management
• Spend substantial time in a DIL field office(s). For example, we are keen on candidates who are eager to work with governments to scale policy innovations and thus would be willing to spend months of time working on the ground to make that happen.
• Participate in regular research and policy seminars discussing ideas about how to identify and improve innovations to improve the lives of the poor.

Characteristics of ideal candidates

• Strong understanding of economics and public policy in low- and middle-income countries
• Entrepreneurial, proactive approach
• Works well independently while also excelling as a team player
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
• Strong project/organizational management skills with ability to meet deadlines
• Deep motivation to improve lives in LMICs
• Substantive economics coursework and training, including familiarity with RCTs and empirical evidence
• Research experience and expertise. Candidates with experience running rigorous research in the field are preferred.
• Experience working in developing countries and/or with MDBs, ideally in a DIL focus area (digital ag, safe water, AI for development, etc.)
• Have a minimum of:
  • 2-4 years of related experience and a Bachelor’s degree (Associates)
  • 4-8 years of related experience and a Master’s degree (Managers).

Location & work conditions

DIL city of operation: Chicago, Washington D.C., Delhi, Nairobi, OR Bogota

These are hybrid positions with at least an expected three days in-person per week.

Likely will require travel to DIL project locations.

Start date: as soon as possible after receiving an offer; preferably by mid June, 2026.