Policy Support Intern at Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA)

Reports to: Senior Policy Manager and Policy Manager

Job Summary

• The Policy Support Intern will support the Policy & Evidence-to-Action team in advancing evidence-informed policymaking and stakeholder engagement across IPA Nigeria’s priority sectors, particularly Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE), financial inclusion, gender, governance, Social protection, and inclusive development.
• The role provides an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in policy research, evidence synthesis, stakeholder engagement, strategic convening, and evidence-to-policy translation within a global research and policy organization.

Responsibilities

Policy Research & Evidence Synthesis:

• Conduct desk reviews and literature scans on priority policy and development issues, including gender, WEE, financial inclusion, governance, livelihoods, and social protection.
• Support the development of policy briefs, evidence summaries, concept notes, presentations, and technical reports.
• Assist in synthesizing research findings into practical policy and programmatic insights for government and sector stakeholders.
• Support mapping of relevant policies, frameworks, stakeholders, and institutional actors across target sectors.

Stakeholder Engagement & Policy Support:

• Support coordination and documentation of stakeholder meetings, technical engagements, workshops, and policy dialogues.
• Assist with stakeholder mapping exercises and tracking engagement outcomes.
• Support preparations for evidence dissemination events, learning convenings, and policy roundtables.
• Draft meeting notes, engagement summaries, and follow-up action trackers.

Research Coordination & Learning Agenda Support:

• Support the coordination of thematic working groups and research coordination activities.
• Assist in organizing materials for Research Coordinating Committee (RCC) meetings and technical working sessions.
• Contribute to refining research questions and learning agenda development processes.
• Support the identification of policy and evidence gaps that may inform future research opportunities.

Data, MEL & Institutional Support:

• Assist with basic review and organization of institutional data, policy documents, and evidence repositories.
• Support MEL-related activities connected to policy engagement and institutional strengthening initiatives.
• Contribute to documentation of lessons learned, institutional insights, and evidence-use opportunities.

Administrative & Team Support:

• Support scheduling, coordination, and communication with stakeholders and partners.
• Attend relevant team meetings, trainings, and organizational learning sessions.
• Provide general support to the Policy & Evidence-to-Action team as assigned.

Qualifications

• Background in Public Policy, Political Science, Economics, Development Studies, Public Health, Gender Studies, International Development, Social Sciences, or related fields.
• Strong writing, research, and analytical skills.
• Interest in evidence-informed policymaking, governance, gender/WEE, and development programming.
• Ability to synthesize information clearly and concisely.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a fast-paced environment.