Finance and Operations Senior Manager - J-PAL LAC

About J-PAL

The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) is a global research center working to reduce poverty by ensuring that policy is informed by scientific evidence. Formed by a network of more than 750 academics around the world, J-PAL measures the impact of programs with randomized controlled trials and uses these results to influence the design of public policies. To date, the J-PAL network has carried out more than 1,640 evaluations in more than 95 countries. 

J-PAL organizes its work into three main areas:

1. Research: We partner with donors to create initiatives that provide funding for research. We also implement RCT from data collection to data analysis.
2. Public policy: we summarize the results of the investigation, create alliances and provide technical assistance to governments.
3. Training: We lead the executive training and develop a rigorous online education to build knowledge in the region.

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 Memoranda of Understanding with Insper for work carried out in Brazil and with the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala for work in Central America.

In 2019, the founders of J-PAL, Esther Duflo and Abhijit Banerjee, won the Nobel Prize in Economics "for their experimental approach to alleviating poverty." 

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



• J-PAL LAC is seeking to hire a Finance and Operations Senior Manager (SM) to work in Chile. 
• The Finance and Operations (F&O) team at J-PAL LAC is responsible for the financial, operational, legal, and administrative backbone of the office. 
• The team supports offices and staff in Chile, Brazil, 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 HR and partnership structuring—run efficiently and in accordance with both internal standards and host institutions’ regulations.

Summary of the Role:

The primary purpose of the Finance and Operations Senior Manager is to lead the strategic and administrative functions of the J-PAL LAC office, ensuring financial oversight, compliance, process efficiency, and organizational sustainability. 

This includes budget planning, managing partnerships and contracts, supervising administrative operations, overseeing HR processes across countries, and ensuring internal controls and legal compliance.

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 and experience: Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, or related fields. The ideal candidate has at least 5 years of experience in finance and operations leadership roles. 
• Languages required: Native or fluent Spanish and English. Willingness to learn Portuguese.
• Type of contract: Plazo Indeterminado UC Chile

Other information:

• Salary: J-PAL LAC practices full transparency in its salary ranges. These will be informed to shortlisted candidates before the first interview.
• Application deadline: Aug 9, 2025
• Direct Reporting: Paula Pedro, Executive Director at J-PAL LAC. 
• Who will be reporting to you: A team of Associates in Chile, Brazil and Guatemala.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• The Senior Manager will be responsible for a variety of tasks including, but not limited to:
• Lead the financial planning and budgeting processes for the LAC office.
• Provide administrative support to the LAC office at PUC, Insper and UVG
• Supervise and guide F&O associates based in Chile, Brazil, and Guatemala.
• Ensure legal and operational compliance with host universities and local regulations.
• Manage contracts, payments, and reporting for projects and donors.
• Oversee HR administrative processes,
• Support the operational and legal design of new and existing agreements.
• Maintain clear communication with J-PAL Global and regional leadership on all matters related to finance and operations.

Qualifications:

• Skills: Advanced Excel. Experience with financial systems or ERPs (e.g., SAP, QuickBooks, or similar tools) is a plus. Basic programming knowledge (e.g., in Python or similar) is a plus, especially for process automation or data handling.
• Autonomy and style of work: The ability to handle multiple tasks and deliverables simultaneously, meet deadlines, and work with the team to efficiently serve the office in each country.
• Experience with Statistical packages: Not needed
• Familiarity with impact evaluation methodologies: Not needed
• 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 based in Santiago de Chile, and is open to Chileans or foreigners with the possibility to work in Chile.