Policy Analyst - Research

• Bachelor’s or Master's degree in Public Policy, Development Studies, Economics, Public Health, Nutrition, Social Sciences, or a related field with a strong research component.
  
• Additional training and/or certification in policy analysis, research methods, or data analytics is preferred.
  

Experience:

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in policy research, analysis, or evidence-based advocacy, preferably in the fields of education, nutrition, food systems, or public health.
  
• Proven experience in designing and implementing research studies, including both qualitative and quantitative methods.
  
• Experience in developing policy briefs, reports, and other knowledge products targeted at government and development partners.
  
• Demonstrated experience working with or influencing public sector actors, multilateral agencies, research institutions, or think tanks.
  
• Experience working within or supporting policy and advocacy functions in NGOs, government, or multilateral institutions is a strong asset.
  

Lead Strategic Policy Research

• Design and oversee research initiatives that generate evidence to inform and influence school feeding policies and systems at national and county levels.
  
• Identify and pursue strategic research opportunities aligned with Food for Education’s (F4E) policy priorities and advocacy goals.
  

Develop High-Impact Knowledge Products

• Produce high-quality policy briefs, reports, and strategic papers that translate complex research findings into actionable insights for policymakers, donors, and partners.
  
• Ensure that research outputs are timely, relevant, and strategically aligned to support advocacy and policy change.
  

Inform Policy Design and Financing

• Provide data-driven recommendations to improve the design, financing, and implementation of school feeding policies and programs.
  
• Analyze national and county policies, identifying gaps, innovations, and alignment with global and regional best practices.
  

Advance Evidence-Based Advocacy

• Generate and curate strategic evidence to support advocacy messaging, policy dialogues, and campaigns led by the policy team.
  
• Collaborate closely with the advocacy and finance function under policy to ensure that research informs and strengthens influencing strategies and public finance work.
  

Support Policy Monitoring and Learning

• Monitor and assess policy implementation, providing analytical insights to improve policy effectiveness and delivery mechanisms.
  
• Establish a policy research repository and feedback loops to enable continuous learning within the policy team and support knowledge exchange with other functions and departments.
  

Build and Leverage Strategic Policy Partnerships

• Collaborate with universities, think tanks, and research institutions to strengthen the evidence base and co-create policy-relevant studies.
  
• Represent F4E in technical working groups, research consortia, and external policy forums as needed.
  

Support Internal Policy Function Strategy and Planning

• Contribute to the development and review of F4E’s policy strategy by providing analytical input and identifying emerging trends, risks, and opportunities.
  
• Align research initiatives with institutional priorities and policy influence goals.
  

Other Duties

• Undertake additional responsibilities as assigned, in support of the policy team’s objectives and F4E’s mission.