Policy and Research Manager- J-PAL LAC

About J-PAL

J-PAL 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 one thousand academics worldwide, J-PAL measures the impact of programs with randomized evaluations (RCTs) and uses these results to influence the design of public policies. 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." The J-PAL network has carried out thousands of evaluations in almost one hundred 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 executive trainings and develop rigorous online education to build knowledge in the region.

J-PAL’s office for Latin America and the Caribbean (J-PAL-LAC) is based in UC Chile in Santiago, where most of our staff is. We have satellite offices in Brazil (based at Insper) and Guatemala (based at UVG), 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.

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 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

Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Brazil has seen significant advances over recent years, however, ECE in Brazil faces challenges related to equitable access, quality, and consistent implementation across the country's diverse municipalities. The Base Nacional Comum Curricular (BNCC), published in 2017, establishes learning and development objectives for all Brazilian children, and its correct implementation can improve the quality of the service provided.

The long-term objective of the project “Caminhos da Pré Escola” is to increase the effectiveness of early childhood policies, specifically, those directed to preschool education in Brazil in Bahia, Mato Grosso do Sul, and São Paulo. 

The project was launched in March 2024 and consists of three phases, spanning four and a half years. 

1. Phase 1 of the project, already concluded, involved conducting a comprehensive analysis of the local context, mapping possible solutions to be piloted, reviewing existing literature, and kickstarting initial coordination with the states and municipalities involved. In this phase, we have selected two interventions to be piloted: CuriosaMente in Bahia (Camaçari and Feira de Santana) and Caroço in São Paulo (Bauru and Guarulhos). We are currently exploring a third intervention in Mato Grosso do Sul. Both CuriosaMente and Caroço will be evaluated with an RCT in 2026. 
2. Phase 2 started in 2025 and will continue until the end of 2026. In this phase, we will conduct the evaluations and work with the state governments for an eventual scale-up.
3. Phase 3 will consist of the scaling-up efforts. For Phase 3 to happen, we need to secure additional funding and confirm that the chosen interventions have a positive impact.

The selected person will support us with Phase 2. If the project is successfully extended to Phase 3, we will consider this person to stay on the team until the end of the project.

Summary of the role

The primary responsibilities of the Policy and Research Manager will center on leading the implementation of Caminhos da Pré Escola, with the support of J-PAL LAC’s team and in collaboration with our partners.

This project is funded and implemented in collaboration with Fundação Bracell and Itaú Social. 

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to

• Coordinate the work with the relevant policy stakeholders (state governments, municipalities, schools). This implies preparing meetings, presentations, and reports, among other means of communication. 
• Carry out communication efforts for internal and external audiences.
• Connect and report to partners through reports, meetings, and other means of communication.
• Although this person does not manage either the implementation of Curiosamente and Carocos nor research projects (each has its own research team), the Manager should be aware of challenges, needs, and processes, serving as an ally to the research teams.
• Similar responsibilities regarding the implementation of each of the interventions.

Qualifications        

• Technical Skills:
  • Word: Intermediate
  • Excel: Intermediate
  • PowerPoint: Intermediate
  • Statistical Packages (STATA, R, and SQL): No
• Core Skills & Abilities
  • Strong analytical and interpersonal skills.
  • Clear written and verbal communication, including presentations.
  • Ability to organize, prioritize, and manage multiple tasks.
  • Attention to detail and accuracy in time-sensitive work.
• Personal Attributes
  • Independent, proactive, and results-oriented.
  • Flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances.
  • Reliable, punctual, and consistent in work hours.
  • Motivated to learn.
  • Collaboration & Inclusivity.
  • Self-awareness and cultural competence.
  • Ability to work effectively with diverse colleagues and stakeholders.
  • Willingness to collaborate and support team success.
• Mission Alignment & Context Knowledge
• Commitment to community impact and mission-driven work.
• Familiarity with Brazil and early childhood education literature.

Employment authorization                     

This position is open to citizens or foreigners with visas and/or valid work permits in São Paulo and have the availability to travel to Bahia and Mato Grosso do Sul at the time of applying for this vacancy.

Location

São Paulo.