Position Summary

The Senior Policy Manager (SPM) will lead IPA Rwanda’s policy impact strategy, focusing on creating and managing high impact opportunities for policymakers to use evidence in decision-making. The role will primarily be responsible for leading a portfolio of education and social protection policy projects within IPA Rwanda’s Embedded Evidence Lab program, which supports governments in institutionalizing the use of data and evidence in their policy process. The SPM will develop the labs long-term research and impact strategies, and oversee their implementation in close collaboration with government partners, such as the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Local Government.  The Senior Policy Manager will provide overall strategic vision to IPA’s Rwanda Embedded Evidence Lab program, represent IPA in high-level policy discussions, and play a crucial role in shaping and executing IPA’s policy agenda in the country. The SPM will report to the Deputy Country Director with dotted line oversight to the Senior Director of Embedded Labs from the global policy team. This role will also provide direct supervision to IPA Rwanda’s policy team, and collaborate substantially with the research team to advance IPA’s mission in the country.

Responsibilities 

Strategy and Leadership

• Contribute to the development and implementation of the Policy team’s strategy in the country, including the management of new engagements as they arise
• Develop and lead the strategy and implementation of IPA Rwanda’s Education Embedded Lab within the Ministry of Education, and the Graduation Embedded Lab within the Ministry of Local Government.
• Provide strategic direction and oversight of the Supporting Teacher Achievements in Rwanda Schools (STARS) project: a collaborative initiative of the Education Embedded Lab together with Georgetown University to develop, evaluate and scale an evidence-based approach to incorporating learning outcomes in teachers’ performance contracts, or imihigo.
• Serve as a key representative of IPA to high-level external stakeholders, including government officials, donors, and partner organizations.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships to advance IPA Rwanda’s Embedded Labs program, as well as policy influence and business opportunities, with support from the Global Policy team.

Oversight and Development

• Directly supervise IPA’s Rwanda’s Policy team, including staff members embedded in partner government agencies.
• Build the capacity of the Policy team, enhancing their ability to engage in effective policy dialogue, in collaboration with the Global Policy team.
• Develop annual work plans to provide direction and management support to the Policy team’s work.
• Ensure oversight and manage the scope of work, strategy, delivery, and finances of IPA’s Rwanda Embedded Evidence Labs program.

Business Development and Organizational Growth

• In consultation with the Deputy Country Director and the Global Policy team, lead efforts to identify and secure new funding opportunities to advance IPA’s policy work in the country,
• Proactively identify fundraising and business development opportunities, develop concept notes, and pursue opportunities in collaboration with global and country office-based staff.

Qualifications

• 7 or more years of relevant experience in public policy or applied research in the development sector.
• Demonstrated success managing teams and complex stakeholder relationships, particularly with senior government officials and donors.
• Experience working on evidence-to-policy translation, embedded technical assistance, or institutional capacity building is highly desirable.
• Proven experience in strategy design and implementation, particularly in government or multilateral settings.
• Experience in education and/or social protection sectors.
• Experience in leading business development opportunities.
• Master’s degree in economics, development, international relations, public administration, public policy, or a closely related field.

Reports to

Deputy Country Director

Location

Kigali, Rwanda

Deadline to Apply

29 August 2025

IF YOU MEET ALL THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB DESCRIPTION,