Senior Policy Associate - Health - J-PAL Africa

The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) is a global network of academics who specialize in conducting randomized evaluations of social policies/programmes to generate scientific evidence about what works in the fight against poverty. J-PAL’s policy team analyses and disseminates research results and builds partnerships with practitioners and policymakers to ensure that policy and programmes are informed by scientific evidence, and effective programmes are scaled up.

J-PAL Africa seeks a Senior Policy Associate - Health, to advance our mission to reduce poverty by ensuring that policy is informed by scientific evidence. The Senior Policy Associate will support efforts to increase access to and use of water treatment products, building on evidence from Kenya, Malawi, and a meta-analysis. Specifically, the Senior Policy Associate will support the Scaling Access to Safe Water in Africa (SASWA) portfolio with the design, piloting, and potential scale-up of a chlorine subsidy program embedded within government systems in Guinea and Togo. The role will have a strong operational and field-facing component, supporting early-stage pilot implementation, coordination with government and data collection counterparts, and real-time learning during rollout. We are looking for someone with a passion for using evidence to inform policy, a strong ability to manage relationships, and a proactive approach to problem-solving in complex and evolving environments. The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in strengthening health systems in West Africa.

The J-PAL Africa team provides supportive management structures and offers flexibility for accelerated growth by

supporting proactivity and encouraging top performers to expand and develop their portfolio.

Requirements for the job:

• A Master’s degree in Public Policy, Economics, Public Health, or another similar social science, preferably including courses in econometrics/statistics, microeconomics, and development economics.
• A minimum of two years of relevant work experience.
• Demonstrated ability to read and analyze rigorous quantitative research, and engage with research implementation processes in field settings.
• Demonstrated ability to build cross-organizational partnerships and support project development.
• Strong writing and oral communication skills in French (required), and working proficiency in English. 
• Strong skills in Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Proven ability to handle multiple assignments and meet deadlines with high-quality work.
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently.

Advantageous:

• Experience working in public health and/or health systems strengthening in West Africa, including exposure to research or evidence-based program implementation.
• Experience working with governments or NGOs on program implementation.
• Experience in process monitoring, implementation research, or field coordination.
• Entrepreneurial mindset and ability to work in ambiguous, fast-moving environments.

Responsibilities include

• Strategic partnership building: Support the development and maintenance of strategic partnerships with government, NGO, and private sector actors in Guinea and Togo. The Senior Policy Associate will work closely with Ministries of Health and key implementing partners to sustain engagement and alignment around the SASWA pilot, while contributing to relationships with partner organizations working on similar programs across the continent. The role will also support the organization and participation in convenings that bring together policymakers, practitioners, and researchers.
• Supporting program design, piloting, and implementation: Support program design by collaborating closely with government counterparts, J-PAL Africa leadership, and research partners, including engaging with the maternal and child health system through health facility visits and stakeholder discussions. Once designed, the Senior Policy Associate will support the implementation of pilot activities and process monitoring. This will include contributing to training preparation, supporting coordination with field teams, and regularly engaging with pilot sites to observe implementation, identify challenges, and help ensure activities are carried out as planned. 
• Contribute to program adaptation and contextual learning: Contribute to pre-piloting and early-stage learning activities to better understand the local context, including visiting health centers, engaging with frontline health workers, and interacting with communities. The Senior Policy Associate will support efforts to identify operational and behavioral barriers, test small adjustments, and contribute to refining program design based on emerging insights during implementation. The Senior Policy Associate will also work closely with research partners to support alignment between implementation and data collection activities, including providing technical input to help ensure field processes are implemented in line with agreed protocols and study design.
• Contribute to organizational learning: Support ongoing efforts to assess what is and is not working during pilot implementation, including through regular exchanges with colleagues and partners. The Senior Policy Associate will contribute to documenting lessons learned in internal materials such as slide decks, briefs, and notes, helping to inform future adaptation and scaling efforts and contribute to broader learning on implementation and scaling.
• Supporting communications management and strategy: Contribute to enhancing the visibility of J-PAL Africa’s clean water portfolio and its work with governments. This includes supporting the development of communication materials, documenting program activities and lessons, and collaborating with the communications team as needed.
• Capacity building for key stakeholders: Support efforts to provide training and learning opportunities for government counterparts and other stakeholders. This may include contributing to the preparation and facilitation of workshops, training sessions, and evidence-sharing engagements, as well as supporting ongoing engagement with stakeholders involved in the pilot.
• In-country coordination and implementation support: Support coordination across J-PAL Africa, government counterparts, research partners, and implementing actors involved in the pilots. Support day-to-day coordination with in-country stakeholders and contribute to tracking implementation progress across pilot sites. Contribute to regular updates and help ensure smooth communication between central and field-level actors involved in program delivery, including maintaining regular engagement with pilot sites and supporting follow-up on implementation challenges as they arise. This includes coordination with research partners involved in data collection and supporting alignment between implementation and research activities in the field.
• Travel: Willingness to travel regularly within Guinea and Togo as the project progresses and needs evolve, including visits to pilot sites and health facilities, with occasional travel to other countries in the region.

This is a one-year position with the potential for extension based in Conakry. It will require significant travel within Guinea and Togo, including regular travel to pilot sites in both countries and potentially elsewhere in the region.

As the cost of employment is being paid for from externally derived funds, this appointment is subject to the availability of funding. 

UCT is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups. Our Employment Equity Policy is available at www.hr.uct.ac.za/hr/policies/employ_equity.

UCT reserves the right not to appoint.