Research and Evaluation Officer, Forward Society Lab - University of Toronto

A research practice partnership seeks to hire a Research and Evaluation Officer to serve as liaison between a team of researchers at the University of Toronto Forward Society Lab and the Puerto Rico Department of Education (PRDE). The Research and Evaluation Officer will assist in the development and implementation of several ongoing research and evaluation initiatives, while receiving mentorship, training and support from the Research Team. The Research and Evaluation Officer will be a full-time position.

Working closely with researchers and policymakers, the Research and Evaluation Officer will be responsible for coordinating and facilitating data sharing and collection, monitoring research project execution, managing relationships across project partners, and supporting research implementation efforts. As the research team is mostly remote, the Research and Evaluation Officer will be the on-the-ground staff ensuring that the research projects are successfully launched and implemented.

The Officer will be the primary liaison between the research team and the data collection and program implementation activities. The Officer will be based in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It is expected that the position will spend a considerable amount of time at the PRDE, which will designate office space for this position. The individual will have an opportunity to work with Gustavo J. Bobonis, Professor of Economics at the University of Toronto, public servants in Puerto Rico, and the evaluation staff at J-PAL North America based at MIT.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

• A bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field (education policy, public policy, economics, etc.). A master’s degree is preferred.
• An understanding of common quantitative and analytical challenges. Relevant work experience and demonstrated expertise in program evaluation methodologies are preferred.
• Demonstrated passion for improving public service performance and solving social problems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both Spanish and English, including policy memos, slide decks, and public speaking
• Exceptional project management capabilities and creativity in problem solving.
• Demonstrated ability to use project management tools and software (e.g., Dropbox, G- Suite)

Other Qualifications:

• Record of accomplishment of adeptly navigating complex organizations and building relationships among diverse groups of stakeholders.
• Flexibility to successfully adapt and respond to changing circumstances, demands and expectations from stakeholders.
• Graduate-level training in public policy, economics, or related fields is highly preferred.
• Self-motivated with an orientation towards results over process.
• Willingness to learn, attention to detail, and ability to multi-task are critical.
• Authorization to work in the United States (by the employment start date).
• An understanding of data analysis is preferred.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinate efforts between the Research Team and PRDE to identify and assess promising, high-priority issue areas for projects.
• Coordinate project development and implementation planning across government agencies and community stakeholders.
• Provide ongoing project management support as needed on randomized evaluations run in partnership with the PRDE.
• Conduct data analyses and review research literature to inform projects.
• Support the design and documentation of a rigorous project evaluation methodology.
• Assist with community outreach and communication efforts to disseminate research findings and project results.
• Provide technical assistance to the PRDE in the creation of a Policy Research and Evaluation Unit that will lead the efforts to structure a process to develop actionable research.