Job Title: Policy and Research Associate
Organisation: Centre for Law, Policy and Innovation Initiative
Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda
About Organisation:
Centre for Law, Policy and Innovation Initiative (CeLPII) CeLPII is Uganda’s pioneering platform for interdisciplinary legal research, policy reform, and innovation support.
Job Summary: CELPIl is seeking a motivated, intellectually curious, and highly organised early-career professional to join its Policy and Research team as a Policy and Research Associate. This is a role that combines hands-on research support with operational and logistical coordination of the Centre’s policy activities.
The successful candidate will work closely with senior staff on research projects and policy initiatives, gaining substantial exposure to policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge management. This role is ideally suited to a recent graduate who is passionate about law and policy, eager to learn, and committed to the Centre’s mission.
Approximately 60% of the role is research-focused, and 40% is coordination-focused.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Policy Analysis and Research
Policy Analysis
- Conduct policy analysis using established frameworks across the Centre’s thematic areas.
- Analyse proposed legislation, regulations, policy documents, and government strategies, identifying gaps, inconsistencies, and opportunities for reform.
- Map and assess the legal and regulatory landscape relevant to CELPII’s focus areas, including comparative analysis of approaches in other jurisdictions.
- Identify and assess the positions and interests of key stakeholders (government, private sector, civil society, international bodies) in relation to specific policy issues.
- Produce evidence-based assessments of policy options, evaluating trade-offs, feasibility, and likely impacts on different population groups.
- Monitor ongoing policy and legislative processes, flagging developments of relevance to the Centre’s work and drafting timely analytical briefs.
Research
- Conduct qualitative and quantitative research in support of the think tank’s research projects.
- Maintain a well-organised and up-to-date repository of research materials, sources, and references using appropriate tools (e.g., Zotero or similar).
- Support the design and implementation of research activities, including stakeholder interviews, focus groups, and surveys where applicable.
Preparation of Policy Briefs and Papers
- Prepare and contribute to policy briefs and research papers.
- Prepare written submissions to government ministries, parliamentary committees, regulatory agencies, and public consultations.
- Contribute to op-eds, blog posts, and public commentary pieces for media and digital plattorms.
- Draft research summaries, executive briefings, project reports, and donor reports.
- Support the development of the Centre’s communications content, including newsletters, social media posts, and website articles related to research findings.
Stakeholder Engagements & Advocacy
- Support the Centre’s engagement with government ministries, regulatory agencies, parliamentary committees, and other public institutions.
- Assist in preparing advocacy materials, talking points, and presentation decks for senior staff attending policy dialogues, public hearings, or meetings with decision-makers.
- Coordinate stakeholder meetings, policy roundtables, and public forums, taking notes and preparing follow-up briefs or action memos.
- Conduct stakeholder mapping exercises, identifying key actors, their interests, and their influence in relation to specific policy issues.
- Build and maintain relationships with relevant policy actors, researchers, civil society organisations, and development partners under the guidance of senior staff.
- Represent the Centre at external events, conferences, and workshops as and when required.
Programme Coordination and Administration
- Coordinate the logistics of the Centre’s events, including policy dialogues, roundtables, workshops, and training sessions, including scheduling, venue,
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- A Bachelor’s degree in Law, Political Science, Public Policy, International Relations, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or a related field.
- Demonstrated ability to conduct research and produce clear, well-structured written work (academic work, essays, or reports will be accepted as evidence).
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, both written and verbal.
- Proficiency in standard productivity tools (Microsoft Office, Google Workspace) and internet-based research.
- High level of organisation, attention to detail, and ability to manage competing priorities.
- Desirable (Not Essential)
- Prior internship, volunteer, or work experience in a law, policy, NGO, research, or government environment.
- Familiarity with Uganda’s policy and legislative landscape
- Experience using research management tools such as Zotero, Mendeley, or similar platforms.
Competency What We Look For
- Analytical Thinking Ability to synthesise complex information and draw clear conclusions
- Written Communication Produces clear, concise, and well-organised written outputs
- Attention to Detail Accurate, thorough, and careful in all research and coordination tasks
- Initiative & Curiosity Self-motivated; proactively seeks to learn and contribute
- Teamwork Collaborative, receptive to feedback, and supportive of colleagues
- Integrity Demonstrates honesty, discretion, and professional conduct at all times
How to Apply:
Interested candidates are invited to submit the following to dk@ktaadvocates.com, cc jcn@ktaadvocates.com with the subject line “Application _Policy and Research Associate”:
- A cover letter (maximum 1 page) explaining your interest in the role and the Centre’s work.
- A current curriculum vitae (CV) of no more than 2 pages.
- A writing sample of no more than 5 pages: This may work you have done in the past. It can be an academic essay, policy brief, research report, or any written work that demonstrates your research and analytical ability.
- Names and contact details of two professional or academic referees.
Deadline: 8th May 2026
NB: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
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Level of Education: bachelor degree
Work Hours: 8
Experience in Months: 36