Senior Policy Manager at J-PAL Europe in Zurich, Switzerland | Work with Nobel Laureates on Evidence-Based Public Policy

<p>Are you an experienced public policy professional passionate about transforming rigorous research into real-world policy impact? The <strong>Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) Europe</strong> is seeking a <strong>Senior Policy Manager</strong> to join its team in <strong>Zurich, Switzerland</strong>.</p> <p>This prestigious opportunity allows the successful candidate to work directly with <strong>J-PAL co-founders and Nobel Prize-winning economists Professor Abhijit Banerjee and Professor Esther Duflo</strong>, supporting their global engagement with governments, multilateral organizations, philanthropic foundations, and development partners.</p> <p>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.</p> <h1>About J-PAL Europe</h1> <p>The <strong>Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL)</strong> is a globally recognized research center dedicated to reducing poverty through evidence-based policymaking. Anchored by a network of more than <strong>2,100 affiliated researchers</strong> at universities around the world, J-PAL works to ensure that public policies and social programs are informed by rigorous scientific research.</p> <p>J-PAL Europe is one of the organization&#8217;s seven regional offices and is hosted by the <strong>Paris School of Economics</strong>. 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.</p> <h1>About the Position</h1> <p>The Senior Policy Manager will be based in <strong>Zurich, Switzerland</strong>, and will work directly with Professors <strong>Abhijit Banerjee</strong> and <strong>Esther Duflo</strong>.</p> <p>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.</p> <p><strong>Earliest Start Date:</strong> 1 September 2026</p> <p><strong>Latest Start Date:</strong> 1 September 2026</p> <h1>Key Responsibilities</h1> <p>The successful candidate will play a central role in advancing J-PAL&#8217;s mission through several core responsibilities.</p> <h2>Strategic Partnership Management</h2> <p>Responsibilities include:</p> <ul> <li>Managing partnership and collaboration requests directed to J-PAL&#8217;s founders</li> <li>Reviewing and prioritizing incoming opportunities</li> <li>Assessing strategic alignment of partnership requests</li> <li>Building relationships with: <ul> <li>European governments</li> <li>Foundations</li> <li>Development agencies</li> <li>Multilateral organizations</li> </ul> </li> <li>Supporting long-term partnerships with European institutions</li> <li>Representing J-PAL during conferences and senior stakeholder meetings</li> </ul> <h2>Policy Communication and Knowledge Dissemination</h2> <p>The Senior Policy Manager will:</p> <ul> <li>Prepare policy briefs</li> <li>Write evidence summaries</li> <li>Develop speeches and opinion articles</li> <li>Produce blogs and communication materials</li> <li>Translate complex economic research into accessible policy messages</li> <li>Ensure scientific accuracy across communication outputs</li> <li>Support dissemination activities across the global J-PAL network</li> </ul> <h2>Fundraising and Strategic Development</h2> <p>Key duties include:</p> <ul> <li>Identifying funding opportunities</li> <li>Developing grant proposals</li> <li>Preparing concept notes</li> <li>Building relationships with current and prospective donors</li> <li>Supporting the strategic growth of J-PAL Europe&#8217;s policy portfolio</li> </ul> <h2>Coordination and Leadership</h2> <p>The role also involves:</p> <ul> <li>Coordinating with J-PAL Europe and Global leadership</li> <li>Working closely with regional offices and affiliated researchers</li> <li>Managing external engagement activities</li> <li>Supporting policy training initiatives</li> <li>Contributing to organizational priorities</li> <li>Undertaking regular international travel to locations including: <ul> <li>Zurich</li> <li>Paris</li> <li>Cambridge</li> <li>Other partner countries</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <h1>Professional Development Opportunities</h1> <p>J-PAL invests heavily in staff development.</p> <p>Successful candidates will benefit from:</p> <h3>Learn</h3> <ul> <li>Free access to MIT&#8217;s <strong>MicroMasters in Data, Economics, and Development Policy (DEDP)</strong></li> <li>Continuous professional learning</li> <li>Collaboration with leading economists</li> </ul> <h3>Engage</h3> <ul> <li>Work directly with Nobel Prize-winning researchers</li> <li>Interact with policymakers worldwide</li> <li>Help shape evidence-based policies</li> </ul> <h3>Travel</h3> <ul> <li>Attend international conferences</li> <li>Meet government officials</li> <li>Collaborate with donor organizations</li> <li>Participate in policy events throughout Europe</li> </ul> <h3>Grow</h3> <ul> <li>Receive mentorship</li> <li>Share best practices across J-PAL&#8217;s international network</li> <li>Build expertise in evidence-informed policymaking</li> </ul> <h1>Eligibility Criteria</h1> <p>Applicants should possess:</p> <h2>Education</h2> <ul> <li>Master&#8217;s degree in: <ul> <li>Public Policy</li> <li>Economics</li> <li>International Development</li> <li>Or another closely related discipline</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <h2>Professional Experience</h2> <p>Candidates must have:</p> <ul> <li>At least <strong>8 years of relevant professional experience</strong></li> <li>Experience working with governments, multilateral organizations, foundations, or development agencies</li> <li>Demonstrated fundraising experience</li> <li>Experience writing successful grant proposals</li> <li>Excellent stakeholder management skills</li> </ul> <h2>Technical Knowledge</h2> <p>Applicants should have:</p> <ul> <li>Familiarity with randomized impact evaluations</li> <li>Understanding of evidence-informed policymaking</li> <li>Ability to communicate research findings clearly</li> <li>Knowledge of climate or environmental impact evaluations (desirable)</li> </ul> <h2>Language Requirements</h2> <p>Required:</p> <ul> <li>Fluency in English</li> </ul> <p>Preferred:</p> <ul> <li>Professional fluency in German</li> <li>Professional fluency in French</li> </ul> <p>Knowledge of both German and French will be a significant advantage.</p> <h1>Desired Skills</h1> <p>J-PAL seeks professionals who demonstrate:</p> <ul> <li>Exceptional writing ability</li> <li>Strong analytical thinking</li> <li>Strategic decision-making</li> <li>Excellent organizational skills</li> <li>Ability to manage multiple priorities</li> <li>Strong interpersonal communication</li> <li>Experience working across different countries and cultures</li> <li>Leadership and mentoring abilities</li> <li>Passion for evidence-based policymaking</li> </ul> <h1>Work Authorization</h1> <p>Applicants <strong>must already have authorization to work in Switzerland</strong>.</p> <p><strong>Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.</strong></p> <h1>How to Apply</h1> <p>Interested applicants should complete the <strong>J-PAL/IPA Common Application</strong> and:</p> <ul> <li>Select the <strong>Policy</strong> job category</li> <li>Choose <strong>Senior Policy Manager – J-PAL Europe – Zurich</strong></li> <li>Upload: <ul> <li>Updated CV</li> <li>Cover Letter</li> </ul> </li> <li>Include details regarding: <ul> <li>Relevant professional experience</li> <li>Qualifications</li> <li>Authorization to work in Switzerland</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p>Applications should be submitted <strong>no later than August 16, 2026</strong>.</p> <h1>Why You Should Apply</h1> <p>This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to one of the world&#8217;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.</p> <p>Professionals interested in public policy, international development, economics, strategic partnerships, and research communication will find this role both intellectually rewarding and globally impactful.</p> <h1>Application Portal</h1> <p>Application Portal: <a href="https://bit.ly/4vEUXGX" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://bit.ly/4vEUXGX</a></p> <p><strong>Application Dead</strong><strong>line:</strong> <strong>August 16, 2026</strong></p> <h1>Conclusion</h1> <p>The <strong>Senior Policy Manager</strong> position at <strong>J-PAL Europe</strong> 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.</p> <p>Discover more opportunities like these on the <a href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/?s=Jobs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">OFY WEBPAGE</a></p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/2026/07/23/senior-policy-manager-at-j-pal-europe-in-zurich-switzerland-work-with-nobel-laureates-on-evidence-based-public-policy/">Senior Policy Manager at J-PAL Europe in Zurich, Switzerland | Work with Nobel Laureates on Evidence-Based Public Policy</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org">Opportunities for Youth</a>.</p>