Policy & Communications Associate

Overview

The Development Innovation Lab (DIL) at the University of Chicago uses the tools of economics to develop innovations that can benefit millions of people in low‑ and middle‑income countries. Led by Nobel laureate Michael Kremer, the lab seeks a Policy & Communications Associate to raise its digital profile by increasing its digital presence and supporting broader communications objectives. This role coordinates with research and policy staff to turn complex economics and policy research into compelling digital content.

• Update content on the DIL website on a regular basis to ensure information is precise, accurate, current, well‑organized, optimized for user experience, and compelling to target audiences, including policymakers, partners, donors, and other stakeholders.
• In coordination with senior leadership, help develop new digital features for the DIL website, including new project and event pages.
• Plan and draft regular social media posts aligned with new research results, project updates, and evolving organizational priorities, primarily on Linked In and X.
• Identify and execute creative ways to highlight students, staff, and alumni on digital channels.
• Develop and track communications metrics to quantify website and social media reach and engagement and inform recommendations for improvement.
• Boost DIL participation in external events by coordinating, creating, and disseminating event‑related content, including through press releases, multimedia, and social media.
• Support field teams to engage local photographers and ensure regular production of visual content.
• Write and edit content that translates complex research into engaging, plain‑language summaries suitable for broad audiences on DIL’s website, social media platforms, and targeted emails, in collaboration with internal subject‑matter experts.
• Coordinate production of press releases for DIL team members and disseminate to targeted media outlets, both in the US and overseas.
• Support the creation of funding pitch decks, donor communications, reports, and other projects as assigned.
• Strengthen internal communications templates, guidelines, and trainings to equip staff members with tools for effective communications and audience engagement, in coordination with DIL leadership.
• Collaborate with recruitment managers to ensure job postings are disseminated widely to relevant audiences.
• Collaborate with staff across international locations to hire and manage freelance photographers as needed; organize and maintain an internal digital photo library showcasing DIL’s research and policy work.
• Support administration of communications contracts for web development, graphic design, photography, and other work as needed.
• Collaborate with internal subject‑matter experts to understand key communications goals and needs, coordinate with leadership to align goals across teams, and create internal resources to meet team needs.
• Help build a proactive media engagement strategy aligned with current events, in coordination with senior leadership.
• Monitor brand consistency across print and digital channels.
• Strengthen internal systems for content production, review, and clearance.
• Plan, develop, and disseminate information designed to keep the public informed of the organization’s programs, accomplishments, or point of view, with moderate levels of guidance and direction.
• Continue to build higher‑level knowledge of the University, processes and customers.
• Perform other related work as needed.

• Education:
  
  Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in a related field.
• Work Experience:
  
  Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2–5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• Certifications:
  
  none.

• Education:
  
  Bachelor’s degree (Master’s in economics, public policy, communications, journalism, or a related field is preferred).
• Experience:
  
  Demonstrated experience communicating complex research findings and policy recommendations; recent graduates with related internships or past experience in communications, research, and/or international development.
• Excellent written…