Senior Associate - Communications

Name of the Position: Senior Associate - Communications
Name of the Organization : JPAL South Asia
Earliest Joining date: 5th January 2026

 

 

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.

As a Senior Associate - Communications, you’ll help bring J-PAL South Asia’s stories, insights, and breakthroughs to the world. You’ll take complex ideas and turn them into compelling narratives that spark curiosity, shape conversations, and inspire action. You will work closely with J-PAL South Asia’s Policy, Research, and Training teams to create content that resonates with its audiences.

This is a chance to use your creativity and imagination to help drive the evidence-based policymaking movement in India.

 

 

What We’re Looking For:

At a minimum, you’d need to have:

● A Master’s degree

● Experience of 2 - 4 years in communications, journalism, public relations, or related fields

● Strong storytelling capabilities using a combination of text, video, audio, and data

● Demonstrated ability to write long-form content (op-eds, articles and reports) and sharp short-form content (social media posts, pitches, talking points, email campaigns)

● Develop and execute comprehensive communications strategies to ensure maximum visibility and impact of our events

 

You’ll thrive in this role if you:

● Have a sharp editorial eye and attention to detail

● Enjoy breaking down complex ideas and explaining them with clarity

● Juggle multiple projects with calmness and flexibility, manage timelines, and keep communication flowing across teams

● Are familiar with basic design and visual communications principals and social media tools

● Are interested in development, economics, and public policy

 

Bonus points if you:

● Have worked in digital marketing/content strategy/public relations agency

● Have a proven track record of experimenting with new content and storytelling formats and platforms

● Have experience with RCTs or development research and are interested in development communications

● Understand India’s policy landscape

 

What You’ll Do:

Tell stories that matter

● Write long-form articles for J-PAL blog and external outlets to bring our research and impact to life

● Ideate and execute innovative communications products that tell the J-PAL South Asia story, especially for current and prospective funders

● Craft thoughtful pitches, talking points, and messaging tailored to senior policymakers, donors, development practitioners, and the wider public that bolster J-PAL South Asia’s reputation as a leader in evidence-based policymaking

 

Shape our digital presence

● Create engaging content for our social media platforms (X, LinkedIn, and Instagram)

● Build elegant designs for social media and other marketing materials

● Familiarity with content management systems, email marketing platforms, and social media scheduling tools

● Basic comfort with analytics tools and the ability to interpret performance data to understand content effectiveness

 

Strategic collaborations

● Work closely with senior team members and the leadership to develop the Communications team strategy and vision

● Plan and run events, workshops, and public conversations with researchers, government officials, and civil society leaders

 

Why You’ll Enjoy Working With Us:

● You’ll grow into a well-rounded communications strategist

● You’ll work with passionate, curious, and empathetic colleagues who care deeply about impact

● Collaborate with J-PAL’s Global team at MIT on strategic communications projects

● You’ll be part of an organization that invests in your professional growth

 

Note: Applicants must not use AI tools to draft or edit their application materials. Use of AI-generated content will result in the immediate disqualification.