Policy Manager - Artificial Intelligence for Social Good - JPAL South Asia

Location: New Delhi or Hyderabad, India
Reports to: Senior Policy Manager/ Lead, J-PAL SA

Education: Master’s degree
Experience: 5+ years
Commitment: Full-time, 2 years (renewable)
Start Date: ASAP

About J-PAL South Asia

The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) South Asia, based at the Institute for Financial Management and Research (IFMR), works to reduce poverty by ensuring that policy is informed by scientific evidence. We partner with governments, civil society, and the private sector to conduct randomized evaluations, disseminate research results, build capacity for evidence use, and scale up effective programs.

Overview of the role

J-PAL South Asia is seeking a Policy Manager to lead its growing portfolio on Artificial Intelligence for Social Good (AI4SG). This initiative aims to advance the responsible, inclusive, and evidence-based use of AI in public policy. The Policy Manager will help design and manage partnerships that leverage AI for inclusion, improved service delivery, and effective governance across sectors such as education, health, labor markets, and climate resilience.

The role combines strategic partnership development, research incubation, and policy engagement at the intersection of technology, data, and governance.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategy and Partnership Development

  • Co-develop and lead J-PAL South Asia’s AI4SG strategy working in close collaboration with J-PAL South Asia’s leadership and J-PAL global’s AI4SG team.
  • Identify high-potential AI applications that are relevant to India’s public policy priorities to match them with researchers in J-PAL’s network to incubate new randomized evaluations
  • Build and manage partnerships with state government governments in India (including J-PAL South Asia’s ongoing partnership on AI4SG with the Government of Telangana) and partnerships with academic researchers, tech-based organizations, and philanthropic partners.
  • Represent J-PAL South Asia in working groups, conferences, and policy forums on AI and development.

2. Policy Engagement and Knowledge Dissemination

  • Cultivate a good understanding of developments in AI, technology policy in India and the donor landscape to inform strategy and partnerships on AI4SG.
  • Help translate research findings into actionable policy insights, briefs, and presentations for government and donor audiences.
  • Help build a pipeline of scalable and socially-beneficial policy applications leveraging AI based on learnings from the research.
  • Support dissemination of evidence from the J-PAL network on responsible and inclusive technology use.
  • Organize policy dialogues, workshops, and training sessions for policymakers and practitioners.

3. Project and Team Management

  • Manage project deliverables, budgets, and timelines for AI4SG initiatives.
  • Supervise and mentor Policy Associates and/or interns.
  • Coordinate with J-PAL’s global AI4SG initiative team to ensure shared learning.

     4. Fundraising

  • Contribute to fundraising efforts for the AI for Social Good initiative, including developing concept notes, grant proposals, and donor reports in collaboration with senior leadership in India and the Global AI4SG team at MIT.

 

Qualifications

Education:

  • Master’s degree in Public Policy, Economics, Data Science, Computer Science, or a related field.

Experience:

  • 5+ years of relevant professional experience in research, policy, or program management, ideally involving technology or AI-based solutions.
  • Demonstrated experience in government engagement and managing multi-stakeholder partnerships.
  • Familiarity with randomized evaluations or evidence-based research preferred.

Skills and Attributes:

  • An understanding of AI applications in social sectors and associated ethical considerations.
  • Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills.
  • Ability to synthesize technical content for non-technical audiences.
  • Strong organizational, partnership building and project management skills.
  • Demonstrated commitment to inclusive, evidence-based policymaking and responsible technology adoption.

What We Offer

  • Opportunity to shape a pioneering agenda on AI and social impact.
  • Work with leading researchers, policymakers, and technological innovators across South Asia.
  • Opportunities for international collaboration and exposure to cutting-edge applications of AI in policy and research.