Communications Associate

Summary of the Organization:

The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) is a global research center working to reduce poverty by ensuring that policy is informed by scientific evidence. Formed by a network of more than 750 academics around the world, J-PAL measures the impact of programs with randomized controlled trials and uses these results to influence the design of public policies. To date, the J-PAL network has carried out more than 1,640 evaluations in more than 95 countries. 

J-PAL organizes its work into three main areas:

• Research: We partner with donors to create initiatives that provide funding for research. We also implement RCT from data collection to data analysis.
• Public policy: we summarize the results of the investigation, create alliances and provide technical assistance to governments.
• Training: We lead the executive training and develop a rigorous online education to build knowledge in the region.

The local grounding of J-PAL is essential for its success. The seven regional J-PAL offices are located at leading universities on five continents. In the case of Latin America and the Caribbean, J-PAL LAC is headquartered at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC Chile). J-PAL LAC also has Memoranda of Understanding with Insper, for work carried out in Brazil, and with the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, for work in Central America.

In 2019, the founders of J-PAL, Esther Duflo and Abhijit Banerjee, won the Nobel Prize in Economics "for their experimental approach to alleviating poverty."

Summary of the role:

The primary responsibilities of the Communication Associate will center on leading the communication efforts of the project ”Strengthening Learning and Child Development in Brazilian Preschools” with the support of J-PAL LAC’s team.

Responsibilities:

Some of the expected responsibilities and results for the position are: 

1. Coordinate the project’s communication plan.
2. Manage the schedule, budget, deliverables, and expected outcomes of the communication plan.
3. Collaborate with the team to create brochures, reports, PowerPoint presentations, and project result reports for investors, public leaders, academics, and nonprofit organizations.
4. Edit academic texts to communicate in accessible language for audiences such as public leaders and nonprofit organizations, providing data on early childhood education in Brazil and evidence on interventions that promote learning and child development in preschools.
5. Support communication and maintain continuous relationships with various stakeholders involved in the project (investors, public managers, municipal education networks, academia, and nonprofit organizations).
6. Elaborate terms of reference, budget, and oversee contracted suppliers for creating the project’s visual identity, name, key messages in accessible language, and PowerPoint presentation templates.
7. Plan, coordinate, and execute six in-person events to mobilize approximately 70 education leaders from the education departments of municipalities in São Paulo, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Bahia, including invitations (RSVP), place selection, equipment, catering, and hiring and supervising suppliers.
8. Elaborate terms of reference, budget, and coordinate suppliers for the capture and editing of audiovisual material in six municipalities in São Paulo, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Bahia.
9. Systematically monitor the implementation of preschool programs in collaboration with municipal education networks, researchers, and program implementers, aiming to support the creation of content and propose communication products for knowledge dissemination.
10. Propose structure, edit text, and oversee the layout of communication products (publications and infographics) that summarize the lessons learned from the implementation of preschool programs.

Qualifications:

1. Skills: good writing and oral communication skills to communicate scientific content in an easy way to be understood. Word, Excel, and PowerPoint at a user level. Professional level is considered an asset.
2. Autonomy and style of work: The ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, meet deadlines, and work independently and purposefully is essential.
3. Experience with Statistical packages: Not needed
4. Familiarity with impact evaluation methodologies: Basic
5. Mission alignment: We highly value experience in community organizing, activism, or engagements focused on bettering the lives of your community.

This position is open to Brazilians or foreigners with work permit in Brazil.