Policy Advisor

Job Summary:

The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) seeks a qualified candidate to fill the position of Policy Advisor for a two-year, exempt appointment based in Lilongwe, Malawi.

The Policy Advisor will provide strategic policy analysis and advisory support on issues related to food systems, agriculture, nutrition, rural transformation, and economic development in Malawi. The position will play a leading role in strengthening the use of evidence in policy processes, supporting policy dialogue and stakeholder engagement, strengthening partnerships and policy networks, mobilizing resources for policy-relevant engagement, enhancing policymaking capacity, and facilitating the translation of research into policy and practice.

Essential Duties:

Specific duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Policy analytics and advice

• Provide strategic policy advice to government counterparts and development partners on policy opportunities, risks, trade-offs, and implementation challenges.
• Advise the Country Program Leader on emerging policy priorities, evidence needs, and opportunities to strengthen the policy relevance and impact of IFPRI’s work in Malawi.
• Draft policy papers, briefing notes, and recommendations to support evidence-based decision-making.
• Track evolving policy priorities, reform processes, and regional policy initiatives, and identify opportunities to strengthen policy design and implementation through evidence.
• Assess the effectiveness of policies and programs and identify opportunities to improve design, implementation, and impact.

Policy engagement and stakeholder relations

• Support the country program’s efforts to strengthen evidence-informed policymaking through policy dialogue, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge exchange.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), development partners, research institutions, civil society organizations, and private-sector stakeholders.
• Consult with stakeholders and incorporate diverse perspectives into policy analysis and recommendations.
• Represent IFPRI in policy dialogue platforms, technical working groups, regional forums, and international policy processes.
• Support engagement with regional and continental initiatives that are relevant to Malawi’s policy priorities.
• Promote collaboration between policymakers, researchers, and development practitioners to facilitate the use of evidence in policy processes.
• Design and support policy engagement and communication activities that strengthen stakeholder understanding and promote evidence-informed decision-making.

Capacity strengthening

• Design and support initiatives aimed at strengthening policy analysis, evidence use, and policymaking capacity among government institutions and other policy stakeholders.
• Facilitate training, mentoring, technical assistance, and knowledge-sharing activities that strengthen local policy capabilities.
• Promote mutual learning and exchange among policymakers, researchers, and development partners.
• Support institutional efforts to strengthen the long-term use of evidence in policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation.

Research-to-policy engagement and resource mobilization

• Inform the development of policy-relevant research agendas that respond to policymaker needs.
• Support the translation of research findings into actionable policy recommendations and practical guidance for decision-makers.
• Contribute to the dissemination and uptake of research through policy briefs, stakeholder consultations, workshops, and other outreach activities.
• Contribute to resource mobilization efforts, including identifying funding opportunities and developing competitive proposals for policy-relevant research and engagement activities.
• Collaborate with partners within IFPRI, across CGIAR, and externally to expand research and funding partnerships.
• Support internal and external reporting, including donor reporting and work plan development

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Economics, Public Policy, Agricultural Economics, Political Science, Development Studies, or a related social science discipline, plus 8 years of relevant professional experience following the degree.
• 2 years of management experience is required.
• Demonstrated track record of policy analysis, policy engagement, and the application of research evidence to policymaking processes.
• Strong understanding of development policy, public institutions, and policy processes in Africa.
• Strong analytical, policy analysis, and critical-thinking skills, with demonstrated ability to translate complex evidence into actionable policy recommendations.
• Experience in policy engagement related to agriculture, food systems, rural development, economic transformation, or related sectors.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including demonstrated excellence in policy writing, presentations, and stakeholder engagement.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with experience working effectively with policymakers, researchers, donors, civil society organizations, and development partners.
• Demonstrated experience operating in multicultural and international development environments.
• Experience designing or supporting capacity-strengthening initiatives for government institutions or policy stakeholders.
• Experience contributing to proposal development and resource mobilization is desirable.
• Knowledge of policy formulation and implementation processes in developing-country contexts, preferably Malawi.
• Willingness to travel as required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with CGIAR institutions.
• Demonstrated professional network among Malawian policymakers and development stakeholders.
• Work experience in Malawi.
• Knowledge of Chichewa.

Physical Demand & Work environment:

• Employee will sit in an upright position for a long period of time with little opportunity to move/stretch
• Employee will lift between 0-10pounds
• Employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform activities such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing computer terminal; extensive reading

Salary Range: The expected salary range for this job requisition is between $85,600 –   $107,000.  In determining your salary, we will consider your experience and other job-related factors.

The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) is an equal employment opportunity employer – F/M/Disability/Vet/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.