Senior Research Associate - JOI Brazil

Summary of the Role:

The Senior Research Associate at JOI Brazil will play a key role in tracking the progress of projects funded by the initiative and disseminating findings from completed Full RCTs and Pilot Studies, including Policy Briefs developed in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

This role requires a deep understanding of the interventions within JOI Brazil’s research portfolio, as well as related studies that can inform discussions with policymakers and support evidence-sharing sessions with partners and donors. The Senior Research Associate will contribute to translating research insights into actionable policy recommendations.

Candidates should have strong skills in impact evaluation, research design and a solid understanding of Brazilian labor market dynamics, particularly gender and racial inequalities, informal employment, and economic mobility. This position is critical for advancing JOI Brazil’s research agenda and ensuring that innovative solutions from funded projects reach key stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and donors.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Reporting to Stakeholders: Track the status of projects funded by the initiative and prepare reports and presentations for donors, the co-chairs, and the management team. Maintain regular follow-ups with the research team to ensure timely delivery of project milestones and maintain an up-to-date dataset with key project information.
• Research Support: Assist Principal Investigators (PIs) in identifying and connecting with potential partners for research implementation in Brazil. Provide guidance on bureaucratic processes, including support for additional funding applications from other J-PAL initiatives. Explore synergies between JOI Brazil projects and other J-PAL LAC projects and verticals to enhance collaboration and impact.  
• Evidence Dissemination: Translate JOI Brazil’s research findings into accessible and impactful formats, including policy briefs, reports, and presentations. Ensure that research outputs are tailored to policymakers, aligning evidence with Brazil’s labor market challenges and policy priorities.
• Partnership and Project Development: Cultivate and manage partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, and key stakeholders. Identify and develop opportunities for collaboration on labor market policies and program impact evaluations.

Qualifications:

Education: A master's or doctoral degree in economics, political science, public policy, or a related field. Preference will be given to recent graduates. Knowledge of the design and analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT).

Languages: This job is based in Brazil, so full proficiency in Portuguese is expected. Advanced English is needed as you also frequently interact with the global and regional teams. Fluency in Spanish is a differential. 

Experience: 2 or more years of relevant and substantial work experience, including work related to impact evaluations and evidence-informed policymaking.



Technical Skills:

Word: Advanced

Excel: Advanced

PowerPoint: Advanced

Statistical Packages (STATA, R, and SQL): Optional