Role Overview

The Policy Analyst – Research is a vital member of Food for Education’s policy team, responsible for generating evidence to shape and influence school feeding policies at both national and county levels.

The role leads the development of research initiatives, strategic analyses, impact assessments, and the creation of policy briefs to support data-driven advocacy and decision-making. By producing timely and relevant insights, the Analyst ensures that F4E’s policy work is grounded in strong evidence and contributes to systemic improvements in school feeding programs.

Working closely with the Senior Manager, Policy and the Development & Impact team, the Analyst also supports policy monitoring, maintains a research repository, and engages in translating research into actionable recommendations for stakeholders.

This position plays a strategic role in positioning school feeding as a national development priority, contributing to F4E’s mission to ensure that every child has access to nutritious school meals for better health, learning, and economic potential.

Key Responsibilities

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.

Qualifications and Experience

Education:

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.

Skills and Competencies:

Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to interpret data and translate findings into clear, actionable policy recommendations.

Excellent writing, editing, and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate complex research findings to non-technical audiences.

Proficiency in research tools such as Stata, R, SPSS, NVivo, or other qualitative/quantitative data analysis software. 

Strong understanding of policy-making processes in Kenya, particularly within education, nutrition, or school feeding sectors.

Ability to manage multiple research projects and deadlines simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

Collaborative mindset with strong interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills.

Commitment to F4E’s mission of advancing equitable access to nutritious school meals and supporting systemic change.

Key Personality Attributes:

Analytical and Strategic Thinker – Able to interpret complex data and translate it into actionable, policy-relevant insights.

Proactive and Self-Driven – Takes initiative, works independently, and delivers results with minimal supervision.

Clear and Impactful Communicator – Effectively conveys research findings to diverse audiences in a persuasive and accessible manner.

Collaborative and Relationship-Oriented – Builds strong partnerships and works well across teams and with external stakeholders.

Adaptable and Agile – Thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, quickly adjusting to shifting priorities and emerging policy opportunities.

Passionate about Social Impact – Deep commitment to advancing equitable access to school meals and transforming public systems through policy change.