Senior Policy Associate

Job Summary IPA Sierra Leone is seeking a (Senior) Policy Associate to work closely with government partners to strengthen their capacity to use evidence to improve programs and policies. The Associate will play a key role in advancing IPA’s Embedded Evidence Labs in the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) and may be fully or partially embedded within the ministry to coordinate the Lab’s activities in close connection with government counterparts. The role focuses on coordinating research and learning, strengthening data systems for decision-making, building capacity for evidence generation and use, and building a strong foundation for an institutionalized EdLab. The position may be filled at the associate or senior associate level, depending on the candidate’s experience. Responsibilities Embedded Evidence Lab (40%) Cultivate relationships with key local decision-makers in the education sector, and ensure their buy-in and input to all activities under the EdLab Support the co-design and implementation of EdLab activities with the MBSSE, including primary data collection activities aimed at answering learning questions and generating evidence for programme improvement Collaborate with IPA researchers to support programme evaluations and research studies embedded within agency programmes, ensuring alignment with agency priorities and contribution to organizational learning Coordinate with agency departments, IPA Sierra Leone, and external partners to ensure alignment and maximize synergies across activities Produce briefs on key policy questions that can be answered using the Ministry’s own data Support the development of a policy research agenda for the Lab and facilitate the development of projects that respond to the evidence-informed agenda Project and knowledge management (15%) Support work planning and project management to ensure effective and timely implementation of the work Ensure the project is implemented in accordance with the work plan Coordinate across IPA teams to ensure high-quality project delivery Support administrative and logistical requirements for Lab activities, including planning workshops, managing procurement, coordinating field visits, maintaining documentation, and contributing to work planning and reporting Capacity building and technical support (40%) Design and deliver monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) training workshops and learning sessions for agency staff at various levels on theories of change, indicator design, data collection methods, data analysis, data visualization, and evidence-informed decision-making Provide ongoing hands-on technical assistance and mentoring to government partner staff to use evidence for programme decisions Contribute to high-quality technical outputs, including evaluation reports, policy briefs, evidence syntheses, and lessons-learned documents that communicate programme achievements, challenges, and learning Build staff capacity to use data analysis and visualization tools, including advanced Excel, statistical software (Stata, R, SPSS), database management tools, and visualization platforms (Power BI, Tableau) Facilitate learning events, data review meetings, and evidence-to-action workshops to promote peer learning, institutionalize data use practices, and foster an organizational culture of continuous learning and evidence-informed adaptation Develop training materials, guidance notes, job aids, and tools to create institutional knowledge resources that support sustainable capacity strengthening Translate complex data findings into accessible, actionable insights for non-technical audiences through effective data visualization and clear written communication Other responsibilities (5%) Any other task as assigned by the Policy Manager or Country leadership Qualifications Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in international public policy, education, social science, or a related field, and 2–5 years of relevant work experience (exceptions may be made for excellent candidates who do not meet this criterion) Strong policy background and track record in education programming, with experience working with partners to use evidence to inform policy and programming Working knowledge of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, including experience developing theories of change Proficiency in data analysis and visualization tools, including advanced Microsoft Excel and data visualization platforms such as Power BI or Tableau Previous experience designing, strengthening, or implementing Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) systems, including data collection, management, and analysis frameworks Previous experience working with and managing large data sets such as EMIS or DHIS2 Proven ability to manage multiple programmes or workstreams simultaneously, including coordinating stakeholders, tracking progress, and managing deliverables Experience working in a low-resource setting in close interaction with government stakeholders Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to clearly present information in a structured, non-technical, and insightful way Passion for making data-driven decision-making a reality in the development sector Superior analytical and conceptual thinking skills Willingness to be a team player and identify connections between work streams Cultural and political sensitivity and demonstrated ability to work successfully with diverse constituencies English fluency (verbal and written) Proficiency in at least one statistical software package (Stata, R, or SPSS) (preferred) Demonstrated ability to coach and train others in statistics, data analysis, or MEL methodologies (preferred) Previous experience working side by side with government counterparts (preferred) Experience working with Ministries of Education or large education programmes (preferred)