Finance and Operations 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 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, and we also implement RCTs from data collection to data analysis. Public policy: we summarize research results, create alliances, 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

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

J-PAL LAC is seeking to hire an Associate as part of the Finance and Operations (F&O) team who will focus on the financial, operational, legal, and administrative backbone of the office, including people operations. The F&O team supports offices and staff in Chile, Brazil, Mexico and Guatemala, working closely with J-PAL Global at MIT, partner universities (Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Insper in Brazil, and Universidad del Valle de Guatemala), and other regional offices.

The F&O team ensures that all processes—ranging from budgeting and compliance to people operations and partnership structuring— run efficiently and in accordance with both internal standards and host institutions’ regulations.

Summary of the Role:

The F&O team is recruiting a Finance and Operations Associate with knowledge of Brazilian labor and tax regulations to support JPAL’s operations in that country. The ideal candidate will be responsible for monitoring compliance with local laws and advising on contract structures under Consolidação das Leis do Trabalho (CLT), Pessoa Jurídica (PJ), and Microempreendedor Individual (MEI) frameworks.

The selected candidate will play a key role in supporting the Finance & Operations (F&O) team by preparing accurate financial reports and comprehensive budgets. These deliverables will serve a diverse range of stakeholders, including executive directors, global directors at MIT, donors, vertical managers, principal researchers, and other senior leaders. The candidate will ensure that financial information is tailored to each audience, enabling informed decision-making and fostering transparency across the organization.

Finally, the Chosen candidate will also coordinate with the Finance and Operations team based in Santiago Chile, on the management of contracts and financial reports.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion:

Embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion is essential to address the complex causes and consequences of poverty. To advance our mission, J-PAL LAC must draw on diverse experiences from our staff and affiliated researchers in order to ask better questions and identify better solutions. We are working to increase the limited representation of individuals from underrepresented backgrounds in the economics profession. We are committed to engaging in 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.

Application Requirements:

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree required, preferably in Accounting (is a good plus). Degrees in Economics or Business Administration are acceptable alternatives. We look for candidates with a demonstrated commitment to public policies and alignment with our mission, but no experience in these topics is required for this position.
• Languages required: As this is a job that is based in Brazil, full proficiency in Portuguese is a must. As you would also interact frequently with the Global and regional teams, intermediate English is needed. Willingness to communicate with the J-PAL LAC team in Spanish is welcome, but you are not expected to speak fluent Spanish.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Research support (30%)
  • Coordinate and facilitate research funding and project selection processes across Requests for Proposals (RFPs), grant management activities, and stakeholder engagement with academic co-chairs, researchers, J-PAL Global, and J-PAL LAC teams, to ensure transparent, timely, and well-coordinated decision-making for research initiatives and projects in Brazil.
  • Serve as the operational liaison for research initiatives and projects in Brazil, coordinating information flows, timelines, and administrative requirements among internal and external partners, to support the successful implementation of research projects and strategic initiatives.
• Finance (45%)
  • Manage the financial oversight of projects, initiatives, and office operations through budget development, expenditure monitoring, financial reporting, and coordination with Insper and J-PAL LAC’s Finance & Operations team, to ensure accurate financial management, informed decision-making, and compliance with donor and institutional requirements.
  • Lead compliance and financial control processes in Brazil by overseeing accounting records, reviewing financial transactions, monitoring contractual obligations, and ensuring adherence to applicable regulations and internal policies, to safeguard organizational resources and maintain financial integrity.
  • Provide guidance on labor, tax, and contracting frameworks including CLT, PJ, and MEI arrangements, while monitoring regulatory changes and recommending adjustments when needed, to ensure legal compliance and support efficient operational and financial structures.
  • Act as the primary finance focal point with Insper and other relevant stakeholders, coordinating issue resolution, information exchange, and process improvements, to strengthen operational efficiency and institutional collaboration.
• Operations - administration, legal, and human resources (25%)
  • Coordinate administrative and operational processes for the Brazil office including procurement, reimbursements, payments, contract administration, office management, and asset oversight, to ensure smooth day-to-day operations and adequate support for staff and projects.
  • Maintain and strengthen operational controls and documentation systems through accurate record-keeping, process monitoring, and continuous improvement initiatives, to ensure accountability, compliance, and efficient use of organizational resources.
  • Support people operations and staff administration in Brazil by coordinating employment-related processes, travel logistics, and interactions with Insper and service providers, to ensure a positive experience for the team and compliance with local requirements.
  • 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:

• Experience:
  • Experience working as an accountant in Brazil is highly desirable.
  • Strong knowledge of local tax regulations and compliance.
  • Familiarity with CLT, PJ, and MEI frameworks.
  • Strong knowledge of budgeting, accounting, and the operational aspects of research.
• Skills: Excellent analytical and organizational skills. Willingness to work in a team, be self-motivated, and learn.
• Softwares: Familiarity with ERP systems and Microsoft Office (particularly Excel).
• Autonomy and style of work: The ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously, meet deadlines, and work independently and purposefully is essential.
• Mission alignment: We highly value experience in community organizing, activism, or engagements focused on bettering the lives of your community.

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.