Finance and Operations Associate - J-PAL LAC

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 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 evaluations across dozens of countries, organized in 12 sectors. In Latin America, J-PAL LAC supports a growing portfolio of evaluations across the region.

J-PAL organizes its work into three main areas:

• Research: We partner with donors to create initiatives that fund research. We also implement RCTs from data collection to data analysis.
• Public policy: We synthesize research findings, build partnerships, and provide technical assistance to governments.
• Training: We lead executive training and develop 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 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 Memorandum of Understanding with Insper for work in Brazil and the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala for work in Central America.

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, teams in Guatemala and Mexico, and project staff in several 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:

The Finance and Operations (F&O) team provides the operational backbone for J-PAL LAC’s work across the region. The team ensures that J-PAL LAC’s people, projects, and initiatives have the financial management, systems, processes, and institutional support needed to operate efficiently, sustainably, and in compliance with internal standards, donor requirements, and host institutions’ regulations.

Working across Chile, Brazil, Mexico, and Guatemala, F&O collaborates closely with J-PAL Global, partner universities, and research, policy, and training teams. Its responsibilities include financial planning and reporting, compliance and risk management, people operations, administrative and operational support, and strengthening the systems and workflows that enable effective regional operations.

This position is based in São Paulo, Brazil, within J-PAL LAC's partnership with Insper. The Associate will work in a hybrid arrangement, with in-person presence at the Insper office at least two days per week, and will interact regularly with Insper's financial and administrative teams. The role also works closely with J-PAL LAC's Finance and Operations team based primarily at UC Chile in Santiago and with other regional and Global colleagues.

Summary of the Role:

The Finance and Operations Associate supports J-PAL LAC’s operations in Brazil by preparing and monitoring project budgets, reconciling financial information, preparing financial reports and supporting documentation, and coordinating routine financial and administrative processes with Insper and UC Chile. The Associate also tracks payments, reimbursements, contracts, compliance requirements, and project documentation; follows up on pending items; and supports selected People and Culture activities in Brazil.

Responsibilities:

• Financial Management
  • Prepare and monitor project and operational budgets, track financial execution by project and cost center, and flag variances, risks, and follow-up needs.
  • Reconcile financial information between J-PAL/UC controls and Insper’s records, identifying discrepancies (Conciliação Bancária for example) and following up through resolution.
  • Prepare accurate financial reports, reconciliations, and supporting documentation for internal teams, donors, researchers, and institutional partners.
  • Coordinate financial processes with Insper (Contabilidade e Controladoria) and the J-PAL LAC Finance & Operations team, following up on pending information, documentation, and institutional requirements.
• Compliance, Contracts & Institutional Processes
  • Review financial and contractual documentation and track compliance requirements, supporting adherence to applicable regulations, internal policies, and donor and institutional requirements.
  • Support contract administration in Brazil, including CLT, PJ, and MEI arrangements, and flag labor, tax, or contractual issues that require further review.
• Operations & People Support 
  • Coordinate day-to-day administrative and operational processes for the Brazil office, including procurement, reimbursements, payments (folha de pagamento), contract documentation, office-related processes, and asset records.
  • Maintain operational controls, trackers, and documentation systems; identify opportunities to improve workflows and reduce inefficiencies; and support selected People and Culture and project administration processes in Brazil.

The responsibilities described above are representative of the role but are not exhaustive. The Associate may be assigned additional duties consistent with the position’s objectives and organizational needs.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, Finance, Public Administration, or a related field. Candidates with degrees in Accounting (Ciências Contábeis) are especially encouraged to apply. We look for candidates with demonstrated interest in public policy and alignment with our mission.
• Languages: Full proficiency in Portuguese is required. Intermediate English is needed for regular interaction with Global and regional teams. Working knowledge of Spanish is desirable but not required. As the role works closely with colleagues based in Chile, willingness to communicate with Spanish-speaking colleagues and to further develop Spanish as needed is expected.

Relevant Experience and Skills:

• Demonstrated professional experience with budget preparation and/or monitoring, financial reconciliation, and financial reporting or accountability processes.
• Experience working across multiple projects, budgets, or cost centers simultaneously is highly valued.
• Experience improving financial or administrative processes, developing trackers or workflows, or using digital tools to reduce manual work is an advantage.
• Experience in accounting, controllership, financial reconciliation, payroll oversight, financial accountability, grants management or donor reporting is highly valued.
• We welcome candidates with experience in: Accounting firms, Finance departments, Controllership, Universities, NGOs and foundations, Audit firms, Financial operations teams, Government-funded projects and Project administration.

Technical Skills:

• Strong working proficiency in Excel or Google Sheets, particularly for financial tracking and analysis (required).
• Google Workspace (Sheets, Docs, Drive).
• Experience with ERP or financial management systems is an advantage.

Work Permissions:

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

Location:

São Paulo, Brazil — Hybrid (at least two days per week at the Insper office).