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.