Associate

Lead workstreams in economic sectors with high-level government counterparts.

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Tony Blair Institute for Global Change

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Overview

Lead workstreams in economic sectors with high-level government counterparts.

You have:

  • Professional experience in investment, FDI attraction, industrial policy, or energy and infrastructure.
  • 4+ years of experience as a political staffer, multi-lateral staff, or in civil society organizations.
  • 2+ years of experience in a top-tier management consulting firm.
  • Proficiency in Russian is considered a strong asset, and Kazakh is a plus.
  • Demonstrated ability to dissect complex problems into clear insights and pragmatic solutions.
  • Communicates crisply - whether in a hallway chat or a board-level deck - and treats every interaction as a chance to build trust.

We don’t just talk, we do. Lead the change with us.

At the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, we work with political leaders around the world to drive change. We help governments turn bold ideas into reality so they can deliver for their people. We do it by advising on strategy, policy and delivery, unlocking the power of technology across all three. And by sharing what we learn on the ground, so everyone can benefit. We do it to build more open, inclusive and prosperous countries for people everywhere.

We are a global team of over 800 changemakers, operating in more than 40 countries, across five continents. We are political strategists, policy experts, delivery practitioners, technology specialists and more. We speak more than 45 languages. We are working on over 100 projects, tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges. We’re all here at TBI to make a difference.

In a world of ever more complex challenges, we believe diversity of background and perspective is a strength. We pride ourselves on a culture that values and nurtures difference. We are dedicated to unlocking potential, not only for the countries we work in but also for each of our team members. No matter where you’re from or who you are, if you’re passionate about the transformative power of progressive politics, we invite you to build a better future with us.

Role Summary

TBI is supporting the Government of Kazakhstan in delivering an ambitious agenda focused on economic growth and attracting foreign investment. The Associate will play a pivotal role in designing and providing workstreams in priority economic sectors, working directly with high-level government counterparts in the Presidential Administration, key ministries, and key financial institutions, alongside global TBI experts. This is a 12-month fixed-term contract with the option to extend.

Associates represent most of our teams worldwide and have access to excellent career opportunities. Whether they are at TBI for a small or large share of their career, as Associates progress within the Institute, they are exposed to opportunities to contribute to projects that generate impact at scale.

Key Responsibilities

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Associates must be able to operate with clients and across TBI with professionalism, confidentiality, integrity, and tact. Their key responsibilities include the following:

Technical Leadership

  • Conduct research and data analysis to inform recommendations on existing and future government policies and programs.
  • Keep abreast of industry trends, data sources, and developments to provide clients with the best advice.
  • Analyse the effectiveness of government policies and programs and develop recommendations for improving such policies and programs.
  • Conduct error-free and timely analysis using an appropriate medium (e.g., PowerPoint and Word) in client-friendly language and with visuals.

Project & Team Management

  • Contribute to the success of TBI’s start-up office in Kazakhstan through building local networks, supporting improvement of operations and processes, and building up a positive team culture that reflects TBI’s values.

Key Requirements

  • Professional experience in one or more of the following areas: investment, foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction, industrial policy/economic competitiveness, and/or energy and infrastructure.
  • 4+ years of experience as a political staffer, multi-lateral staff, or in civil society organisations. Alternatively, 2+ years of experience in a top-tier management consulting firm.
  • Demonstrated ability to dissect complex, messy problems into clear insights and pragmatic solutions - equally comfortable with qualitative nuance and quantitative rigour. Learns fast, asks sharp questions, and translates research into data-backed recommendations that move the needle for leaders.
  • Rolls up sleeves to get work done - drafts, briefing notes, models, interviews, travels - whatever it takes; never hides behind titles. Stays optimistic and steady under pressure, turning setbacks into fuel rather than complaints. Navigates ambiguity with discipline, prioritises experiments, and delivers on time even when the path forward isn’t obvious.
  • Sets big goals for personal growth and for client impact, measures success by outcomes, not activity. Proactively spots opportunities to expand the mandate, raise the bar, and create outsized value for all stakeholders.
  • Generous teammate who listens first, challenges ideas (not people), and elevates those around them. Communicates crisply - whether in a hallway chat or a board-level deck - and treats every interaction as a chance to build trust.
  • Proficiency in Russian is considered a strong asset, and Kazakh is a plus.

We reserve the right to close this role early if we receive a sufficient number of applications.

Closing Date:

Potential interview questions

Describe a time when you had to dissect a complex problem to provide a solution. The interviewer is assessing your analytical skills and problem-solving approach. Use a specific example and outline your thought process.
What strategies would you implement to attract foreign investment in Kazakhstan? The interviewer wants to understand your strategic thinking and creativity in policymaking. Pro members can see the explanation.
Tell me about a challenging project you managed and how you ensured its success. Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How would you build a positive team culture in a new office environment? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you provide an example of how you used data analysis to influence a decision? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Describe a situation where you faced pressure at work. How did you manage it? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you prioritize tasks when working on multiple projects? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What methods do you use to ensure effective communication with stakeholders? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 28 days ago - Updated 20 days ago - Source: institute.global