Are you an experienced public policy professional passionate about transforming rigorous research into real-world policy impact? The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) Europe is seeking a Senior Policy Manager to join its team in Zurich, Switzerland.

This prestigious opportunity allows the successful candidate to work directly with J-PAL co-founders and Nobel Prize-winning economists Professor Abhijit Banerjee and Professor Esther Duflo, supporting their global engagement with governments, multilateral organizations, philanthropic foundations, and development partners.

The role is ideal for experienced professionals who have built strong careers in public policy, international development, economics, or related sectors and are eager to influence evidence-informed policymaking across Europe and beyond.

About J-PAL Europe

The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) is a globally recognized research center dedicated to reducing poverty through evidence-based policymaking. Anchored by a network of more than 2,100 affiliated researchers at universities around the world, J-PAL works to ensure that public policies and social programs are informed by rigorous scientific research.

J-PAL Europe is one of the organization’s seven regional offices and is hosted by the Paris School of Economics. The office leads initiatives across Europe to promote the use of high-quality evidence in policymaking while collaborating with governments, international organizations, and development agencies.

About the Position

The Senior Policy Manager will be based in Zurich, Switzerland, and will work directly with Professors Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo.

Reporting jointly to the Global Executive Directors of J-PAL and the Executive Director of J-PAL Europe, the successful candidate will oversee strategic partnerships, manage high-level external engagements, support fundraising activities, and help translate academic research into accessible policy recommendations.

Earliest Start Date: 1 September 2026

Latest Start Date: 1 September 2026

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will play a central role in advancing J-PAL’s mission through several core responsibilities.

Strategic Partnership Management

Responsibilities include:

• Managing partnership and collaboration requests directed to J-PAL’s founders
• Reviewing and prioritizing incoming opportunities
• Assessing strategic alignment of partnership requests
• Building relationships with:
  • European governments
  • Foundations
  • Development agencies
  • Multilateral organizations
• Supporting long-term partnerships with European institutions
• Representing J-PAL during conferences and senior stakeholder meetings

Policy Communication and Knowledge Dissemination

The Senior Policy Manager will:

• Prepare policy briefs
• Write evidence summaries
• Develop speeches and opinion articles
• Produce blogs and communication materials
• Translate complex economic research into accessible policy messages
• Ensure scientific accuracy across communication outputs
• Support dissemination activities across the global J-PAL network

Fundraising and Strategic Development

Key duties include:

• Identifying funding opportunities
• Developing grant proposals
• Preparing concept notes
• Building relationships with current and prospective donors
• Supporting the strategic growth of J-PAL Europe’s policy portfolio

Coordination and Leadership

The role also involves:

• Coordinating with J-PAL Europe and Global leadership
• Working closely with regional offices and affiliated researchers
• Managing external engagement activities
• Supporting policy training initiatives
• Contributing to organizational priorities
• Undertaking regular international travel to locations including:
  • Zurich
  • Paris
  • Cambridge
  • Other partner countries

Professional Development Opportunities

J-PAL invests heavily in staff development.

Successful candidates will benefit from:

Learn

• Free access to MIT’s MicroMasters in Data, Economics, and Development Policy (DEDP)
• Continuous professional learning
• Collaboration with leading economists

Engage

• Work directly with Nobel Prize-winning researchers
• Interact with policymakers worldwide
• Help shape evidence-based policies

Travel

• Attend international conferences
• Meet government officials
• Collaborate with donor organizations
• Participate in policy events throughout Europe

Grow

• Receive mentorship
• Share best practices across J-PAL’s international network
• Build expertise in evidence-informed policymaking

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should possess:

Education

• Master’s degree in:
  • Public Policy
  • Economics
  • International Development
  • Or another closely related discipline

Professional Experience

Candidates must have:

• At least 8 years of relevant professional experience
• Experience working with governments, multilateral organizations, foundations, or development agencies
• Demonstrated fundraising experience
• Experience writing successful grant proposals
• Excellent stakeholder management skills

Technical Knowledge

Applicants should have:

• Familiarity with randomized impact evaluations
• Understanding of evidence-informed policymaking
• Ability to communicate research findings clearly
• Knowledge of climate or environmental impact evaluations (desirable)

Language Requirements

Required:

• Fluency in English

Preferred:

• Professional fluency in German
• Professional fluency in French

Knowledge of both German and French will be a significant advantage.

Desired Skills

J-PAL seeks professionals who demonstrate:

• Exceptional writing ability
• Strong analytical thinking
• Strategic decision-making
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities
• Strong interpersonal communication
• Experience working across different countries and cultures
• Leadership and mentoring abilities
• Passion for evidence-based policymaking

Work Authorization

Applicants must already have authorization to work in Switzerland.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should complete the J-PAL/IPA Common Application and:

• Select the Policy job category
• Choose Senior Policy Manager – J-PAL Europe – Zurich
• Upload:
  • Updated CV
  • Cover Letter
• Include details regarding:
  • Relevant professional experience
  • Qualifications
  • Authorization to work in Switzerland

Applications should be submitted no later than August 16, 2026.

Why You Should Apply

This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to one of the world’s leading organizations dedicated to evidence-based policymaking. Working alongside Nobel Prize-winning economists Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo, the successful candidate will help shape policies that improve lives around the world.

Professionals interested in public policy, international development, economics, strategic partnerships, and research communication will find this role both intellectually rewarding and globally impactful.

Application Portal

Application Portal: https://bit.ly/4vEUXGX

Application Deadline: August 16, 2026

Conclusion

The Senior Policy Manager position at J-PAL Europe offers experienced policy professionals the chance to work at the highest levels of international development and evidence-informed policymaking. Based in Zurich, the role combines strategic leadership, partnership management, fundraising, policy communication, and collaboration with world-renowned researchers to influence public policy across Europe and beyond. If you have the required experience, outstanding communication skills, and authorization to work in Switzerland, this is a unique opportunity to make a lasting global impact.

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