Research Manager UVG

About J-PAL

J-PAL LAC is a non-profit research center that aims to reduce global poverty by generating rigorous scientific evidence on which social programs and policies can make a real difference in people's lives. Formed by a network of more than 750 academics worldwide, J-PAL measures the impact of programs with randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and uses these results to influence the design of public policies. The J-PAL network has conducted over 1,700 evaluations in over 90 countries, organized in 12 sectors. In Latin America, we currently count on 174 studies. As of 2023, J-PAL LAC is supporting 25 evaluations in 6 countries.

J-PAL organizes its work into three main areas:

Research: We partner with donors to create initiatives that fund 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 regional knowledge.

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 a Memoranda of Understanding with Insper for work in Brazil, the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala for work in Central America, and ITAM for work in Mexico.

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

OUR OFFICE

J-PAL LAC is based at UC Chile in Santiago, where most of our staff is located. We also have a team in São Paulo, based at Insper, and project staff in several LAC countries. Our team comprises about 15 permanent staff members and 20 staff hired for specific projects, typically on shorter-term contracts. We are currently running 25 projects in 6 LAC countries. 

We strive for a collegiate, horizontal, and amicable culture where peers can learn from each other and are not afraid to innovate. The office is led by Executive Director Paula Pedro, originally from Brazil, and Deputy Executive Director Claudia Macías, originally from Mexico. Paula leads the office’s overall strategy and fundraising and has a more external-facing role. Claudia oversees our operations and develops strategic partnerships, especially with Governments. 

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion

Embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion is essential to address poverty's complex causes and consequences. To advance our mission, J-PAL LAC must draw on diverse experiences from our staff and affiliated researchers to ask better questions and identify better solutions. We are working to increase the limited representation of individuals from underrepresented economic backgrounds. We are committed to self-reflection, learning, and dialogue to nurture understanding across differences. Together, we will build an equitable, inclusive culture where everyone is respected, empowered, and heard.

About the team, project, or initiative you would be working with:

As a Research Manager in charge of implementing projects in Guatemala, you will be part of the research team at J-PAL LAC and coordinate directly with PROSA.

The Research team has the mission of Catalyzing the generation of rigorous and high-quality evidence that contributes to pushing the frontier of knowledge in LAC. The team does that by 

1: Providing the research infrastructure to support projects during their lifecycle, in particular, to facilitate the collection of high-quality primary and secondary data, and by providing research resources to generate high quality and transformative evidence.

2: Bridging the gap between researchers and implementing organizations to catalyze new research and innovation on key questions for the region and balancing the needs/interests of the multi stakeholders involved in the evaluations.

3: Building and maintaining a strong relationship with the research network at J-PAL and support Scientific Directors in expanding the network of researchers that work in LAC. 

4: Coordinating with other verticals at LAC and the sector staff at Global for harnessing the knowledge that researchers from the region are creating to promote collaborative relationships that foster the scientific production.

The Research team is led by Edivaldo Constantino as Senior Research Manager, based at São Paulo, Brazil. You will also have close relation with the rest of the research team based at Chile, Brazil and Mexico. 

PROSA, the Programa de Sondeo y Arranque - was launched in July of 2023 as the first joint project between Universidad del Valle de Guatemala and J-PAL LAC. This intervertical project seeks to catalyze the use of evidence and the evaluation of innovative programs related to Early Childhood Development (ECD). PROSA's main objective is to create a culture of evidence use and generation for the implementation of ECD programs. PROSA currently operates in Guatemala and is managed by Constanza Alarcón who is responsible for executing and supervising the implementation of a research agenda along with the Scientific Advisor of the Program, Costas Meghir; and supervising training as well as capacity building activities with nonprofit organizations and government institutions working in ECD. Claudia Macías, DED of J-PAL LAC leads and supervises this effort. UVG leadership also supervises and compliments the execution of the project. 

Summary of the Role:

The research manager (RM) will be responsible for implementing and leading, along with PIs, research in Guatemala, primarily associated with PROSA. The first and main projects will be a research pilot with Guatemaltecos por la Nutrición, the incubation of a randomized evaluation with ChildFund (including the corresponding funding application), and any other concrete research opportunities that arise. The RM will also help create a viable landscape for conducting research in Guatemala. This includes scoping partners and viable counterparts to conduct research, as well as leading any trainings related to strengthening the research landscape.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Be the point of contact for PI's working on research projects associated with PROSA in Guatemala.
• Help facilitate research in Guatemala by: a) mapping local research partners that can help strengthen and carry out investigations; b) working alongside J-PAL LAC research team to co-create and build capacities of local data collection partners; c) strengthening the network of researchers and academic partners scoped out by PROSA.
• Facilitate the implementation of pilots and research projects as well as work alongside policy and communications team, and program manager to synthesize and disseminate research findings.  

Qualifications:

Education: A master's or doctoral degree in economics, political science, public policy, or a related field.

Languages: This job is based in Guatemala, so full proficiency in Spanish is a must. Advanced English is needed as you also interact frequently with PIs and the Global and regional teams. 

Experience: At least four years of professional experience, related to data collection and / or the implementation of projects in Guatemala or Central America. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in the implementation and evaluation of RCTs.

Skills:

• Good communication and management skills to be able to supervise and carry out multiple research and research related projects at the same time.
•  High comprehension of RCTs and ample experience conducting impact evaluations, collecting data, executing fieldwork, coordinating research teams, and working alongside PIs.
• Good organizational and systematization skills to institutionalize learnings regarding conducting research in Guatemala
• Exceptional writing skills 
• Statistical Packages (STATA, R, and SQL): Intermediate
• Familiarity with impact evaluation methodologies: Advanced

Work permissions:

This position is open to citizens or foreigners with visas and/or valid work permits in Guatemala at the time of applying for this vacancy.

Job Descriptions: 202410 - JD - Research Manager UVG.pdf