Director of Policy Outreach - DIL

Department

Becker Friedman Institute - Development Innovation Lab

About the Department

The Becker Friedman Institute for Economics (BFI) works with the Chicago Economics community to turn its evidence-based research into real-world impact. BFI takes a unique approach to bridging the divide between academic researchers and decision-makers in the business community and government by translating and packaging the rigorous work of the Chicago Economics community into accessible formats, and proactively sharing those findings with relevant decision-makers and thought leaders around the globe. BFI is a collaborative platform serving the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, the Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics, the Harris School of Public Policy, and the Law School. For more information visit https://bfi.uchicago.edu.

Job Summary

DIL at the University of Chicago is seeking a full-time Director of Policy Outreach to design and lead the policy outreach for the Commission on Innovation for Climate Change, Food Security and Agriculture, one of DIL's flagship projects. The Commission will convene former heads of state and ministers of finance to address challenges at the intersection of climate change, food security, and agriculture. The Commission will assess innovations that could provide social benefits but are currently underfunded and propose institutional mechanisms that promote the development and scaling of innovations.

The Director will work closely with DIL Faculty Director and Commission Chair, Michael Kremer, the Commission Secretariat Director, Paul Winters, and the rest of the DIL leadership to establish and lead this new agricultural initiative within DIL. The Director will be responsible for crafting an outreach strategy for the initiative, high-level relationship building which will likely include extensive engagements with governments, nongovernmental organizations, and other policy actors. To be successful they will need to have strong experience working in policy outreach or communications related to development economics research or development policy, be a highly dynamic and analytical individual who can excel in a diverse set of responsibilities from working with partners to translating academic research into policy memos that are accessible to a broad audience.

The Director will play a key role within the Commission Secretariat providing leadership in guiding the policy outreach agenda from the start of operations. The Director will serve as a bridge between the Commission chair, Commission members and secretariat, and senior policymakers.
Responsibilities

• Drafts, conducts and manages a policy outreach strategy for the Commission on Innovation for Climate Change, Food Security and Agriculture.
• Leads on the drafting of policy memos for the Commission.
• Tracks relevant legislation, hearings, and initiatives, as well as the budget and appropriations process in key donor countries.
• Monitors global discourse and initiatives in the climate change, food security and agricultural space.
• Engages with relevant stakeholders in selected low and middle income countries to advance the agenda of the Commission.
• Performs tasks requiring independent judgment and analysis, including drafting policy briefs, and external emails to Commission members, heads of NGOs, current and former heads of state, heads of international organizations and other high-level individuals.
• Organizes events for Commission members and the Chair to disseminate findings.
• Provides input on cross-cutting lab activities as required and requested by the Executive Director or Faculty Director at the Development Innovation Lab.
• Collaborates on policy outreach.
• Develops of lab strategy and plans.
• Collaborates with the larger Development Economics Center at the University of Chicago including with the Weiss Fund for Development Economics.
• Collaborates across policy or research activities, especially where there is crossover or common partners between initiatives.
• Develops goals and operating procedures, practices, and guidelines for research activity based on department strategy.
• Reviews research of others, and may conduct own research, in area of expertise. Edits and approves articles, reports and manuscripts. Presents research findings at meetings and/or conference. Manages the research of processes in clinical or non-clinical settings. Program and use computers to store, process, and analyze data.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
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Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.
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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master's degree in economics, public policy, international development including significant training in communications.

Experience:

• Seven or more years of relevant work experience.
• Prior experience working on policy communications and outreach.
• Substantial experience working in one or more of the initiative areas in developing countries.
• Experience working with developing country governments or large bilateral and multilateral funders.
• Experience organizing policy events as well as producing policy resources and publications.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Training in microeconomics and econometrics.
• Candidates from a policy background or related academic background who can demonstrate similar knowledge will also be considered.

Preferred Competencies

• Demonstrated ability to maintain high-level relationships with governments, international development practitioners, and/or academic researchers.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated project management skills, including working across teams and ability to manage the time of high-level principals efficiently.

Working Conditions

• Willingness to undertake extensive domestic and international travel.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• Three Professional References Contact Information (required)
• Writing Sample (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

Research

Role Impact

People Manager

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Frequency

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Benefits Eligible

Yes

Requires Compliance with University Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement

Yes

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Posting Statement

Employees must comply with the University's COVID-19 vaccination requirements. More information about the requirements can be found on the University of Chicago Vaccination GoForward.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff 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.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

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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