Reports to: Executive Director J-PAL
Role Purpose:The job holder will lead the strategic expansion of the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) MENA's policy influence and capacity-building initiatives across Egypt and the MENA region. The Director is responsible for forging high-level partnerships with governments and NGOs to promote the use of scientific evidence in decision-making. The role oversees the policy and training teams, driving the design and execution of training workshops, disseminating research findings to policymakers, and securing substantial funding, targeting an average of $5 million, to sustain the center's mission.
Core Responsibilities Policy Strategy and Partnerships: Expand the depth and quality of J-PAL MENA’s policy portfolio, identifying and structuring partnerships that align with J-PAL’s mission Serve as a member of the senior management team, helping to set and execute the center's regional strategy Build relationships with key stakeholders, including government officials, donors, and NGOs, to facilitate the adoption of evidence-based policies Oversee the dissemination of research evidence through publications, conferences, and policy memos Training and Capacity Building: Lead the training portfolio, overseeing the design and delivery of workshops on impact evaluation for policy makers and researchers Ensure training programs meet partners' needs and enhance regional capacity for rigorous evaluation Mentor and manage the policy and training teams, ensuring high-quality output and professional development Fundraising and Financial Management: Lead fundraising efforts for research, policy, and training initiatives, managing proposals averaging $5 Million Manage the policy and training portfolio budget, expected to grow to an average of $500,000 per year Identify new funding opportunities and cultivate relationships with foundations and corporate donors Additional Related Duties: Perform other related duties as assigned
Qualifications and Skills:Education and Experience: Master’s degree in public policy, economics, or a related field, implied by the nature of J-PAL leadership roles Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience Proven track record in conducting or supervising impact evaluations, i.e. RCTsSubstantial experience in fundraising and donor management
Technical Skills: Strategic: Ability to manage complex, multi-year projects and handle multiple stakeholders Communication: Excellent writing and public speaking skills in Arabic and English; ability to translate technical research into policy lessons Managerial: Demonstrated experience hiring, training, and managing diverse teams under tight deadlines Analytical: Strong understanding of economics and quantitative research methods Operational: Ability to manage budgets and willingness to travel across the MENA region
This position is open until August 17, 2026
Placement is based on the candidate’s experience and skills. Only candidates who make it to the short list will be contacted.
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