Policy Associate

Department
Development Economics Center

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.

The Policy Associate will work at the intersection of cutting-edge economic research and high-level policy application. The role will be 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 work closely with Lead Researchers on the Agriculture team at DIL, and may provide direct support to Faculty Director Michael Kremer. Specific responsibilities include providing policy support in outreach and communications related to the work of the Agriculture team, including writing, public speaking and presentations, project development, multilateral engagement, and human resources.

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.

If candidate meets preferred qualifications, we could be interested in offering a "senior policy associate" business title.

This position will be based either in Washington D.C. or Chicago, IL.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Agriculture team 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 and other staff
• Oversee 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
• Assists in the design and planning of communications strategies
• Perform 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:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Masters degree in Economics, Public Policy, or a closely related field

Experience:

• Demonstrated experience in policy roles, preferably in international development
• Demonstrated experience with academic writing

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 is strongly preferred
• Knowledge of randomized controlled trials and other empirical methods used in economics is strongly preferred
• 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
• Strong coordination skills

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• References Contact Information (3)(required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

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
$56,312.56 - $72,875.00
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.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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