Research Project Manager, Education, Morocco Innovation and Evaluation Lab, Morocco - UM6P/J-PAL/CID

I- Job summary

About the Morocco Innovation and Evaluation Lab (MEL)

The Morocco Innovation and Evaluation Lab (MEL) is a collaboration between the Univsersité Mohammed VI Polytechnic

(UM6P), the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) at MIT and the Center for International Development (CID) at the Harvard Kennedy School.

We conduct rigorous impact evaluations and capacity-building activities to create a culture of evidence-based policy-making in Morocco. Its scientific advisors are Bruno Crépon, Professor at the Institut Polytechnique de Paris - ENSAE and Scientific Director of J-PAL MENA, and Rema Hanna, Jeffrey Cheah Professor at the Harvard Kennedy School, affiliated to the CID, and Scientific Director of J-PAL Southeast Asia.

About the project

We are looking to hire a dynamic and experienced Research Project Manager to oversee the impact evaluation of a secondary education project which aims to reduce school drop-out and improve the quality of education nationwide. The project, implemented by the Ministry of Education, Preschool and Sports, integrates several educational interventions from new pedagogical approaches to extracurricular activities and remediation classes. MEL collaborates with the Ministry to assess the overall impact of these different interventions through a difference-in-difference study as well as the effect of individual components through two randomized evaluations.

About the position

The successful candidate will coordinate the efforts of the partner implementation team and the research team in a proactive manner, supervise a team of research associates, manage data collection and analysis, and oversee the project budget and schedule.

She/He will serve as the principal liaison between the team of international researchers and the implementing team, ensuring that priorities are effectively communicated and all stakeholders are provided with regular updates.

II- Key Responsibilities

Project coordination

• Coordinate the work of the partner's implementation team, researchers and research associates to ensure smooth collaboration and effective communication.
• Coordinate with these different stakeholders to define indicators and design data collection tools.
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, outlining tasks, timetables and resource allocations.
• Lead regular meetings with project stakeholders to monitor progress and provide solutions to any difficulties encountered.

Supervision

• Supervise and mentor research associates responsible for designing data collection instruments and managing data collection, entry and analysis.
• Ensure that data collection processes meet the highest standards of quality and integrity.

Budget and Schedule Management

• Overseeing the project budget, ensuring that expenditure is accurately tracked and that financial resources are used efficiently.
• Monitor the project schedule, ensuring that all stages are respected and deliverables are completed on time.

Reports and Communication

• Prepare and present regular progress reports to relevant stakeholders.
• Communicate complex technical results and concepts to non-technical audiences in a clear and accessible manner.

Quality Control

• Implement and supervise quality control measures to ensure that research and evaluation activities meet the required standards.
• Resolve problems relating to data quality or project execution quickly and effectively.

III- Requirements

Education

• Master's degree in a relevant field such as Education, Economic and Social Sciences, Public Policy or a related discipline.

Experience

• 5-7 years' research experience and/or proven project management expertise.
• Demonstrated experience in budgeting, planning, execution, delivery, quality control and reporting.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders across functions.
• Experience in designing and managing data collection and analysis processes.

Skills

• Strong analytical skills with familiarity of quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• Mastery of programme evaluation and monitoring techniques.
• Excellent organizational and multitasking skills.
• Ability to translate technical language into concrete and understandable terms.

Languages

• Fluency in Arabic,
• French and English required.

Job Description: JD _ Chef de Projet Collèges Pionniers -Morocco Innovation and Evaluation LAB-EN Vr 09 10 2024.docx