Data Research Associate - J-PAL Latin America and the Caribbean

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

This project evaluates the effects of PIX on financial inclusion and the economic well-being of lower-income individuals and micro and small businesses in Brazil, conducted in partnership with the Central Bank of Brazil. The research is led by Professors Emily Breza (Harvard), Dimas Fazio (NUS), and Janis Skrastins (University of Utah), in collaboration with J-PAL LAC.

Summary of the role

This role focuses on managing and analyzing restricted-access datasets within the Central Bank of Brazil's secure data facility to support the implementation and empirical analysis of the project.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Conduct data analysis using restricted-access datasets at BCB's secure data facility
• Clean, process, and manage datasets in accordance with project protocols and BCB security requirements
• Prepare statistical analyses, tables, figures, and preliminary results
• Maintain detailed documentation of data work and analysis procedures
• Support data collection and field operations in Brazil
• Assist with the preparation of research outputs including working papers and reports.

Qualifications

• Education: A bachelor's or master's degree in economics, political science, public policy, or a related field. 
• Languages: This position is based in Brazil, so full proficiency in Portuguese is a must. Advanced English is needed as you also interact with the research team.
• Experience: Previous experience in research or data analysis is preferred but not required. This may include work as a Research Assistant/Associate (formal or informal) or strong experience in coding and data analysis. 
• Analytical skills:
  • Econometrics
  • Data cleaning and management
  • Programming for data analysis (Stata, R, Python)
  • Data analysis
  • Causal inference

Work permissions

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

Location

Willingness to work on-site at BCB's secure data facility, ability to handle sensitive/restricted-access data with discretion.