Policy Associate - J-PAL LAC (Guatemala)

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 1000 academics around the world, 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 more than 2,200 evaluations in more than 95 countries. 

J-PAL organizes its work into three main areas:

• Research: We partner with donors to create initiatives that provide funding for 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 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. The office is led by Executive Director Paula Pedro, originally from Brazil, and Deputy Executive Director Claudia Macías, originally from Mexico. 

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 position will be part of the Growing Futures Initiative (Construyendo Futuros), a new J-PAL LAC research and policy effort anchored in Guatemala. This initiative builds on our early work in the country through the PROSA program, which has strengthened a culture of evidence use and forged strong partnerships with government and civil society.

Our next step is to broaden this work, linking early childhood development (ECD) with social protection, health, education, and livelihoods, to generate high-impact evidence and shape policies that can transform opportunities for future generations.

Growing Futures will focus on:

• Promoting innovation and capacity building by supporting local teams and incubating promising ideas.
• Evaluating and scaling effective solutions through competitive funding calls.
• Strengthening partnerships and data systems to institutionalize the use of evidence.
• Disseminating findings to inform action in Guatemala and across Central America.

Summary of the role

The selected candidate will work directly with the Manager of Growing Futures Initiative in coordinating all activities related to the operation and management of the Initiative. The successful candidate will coordinate the day-to-day operations of the initiative, support communication across stakeholders, and support the incubation of research projects, as well as the process of matchmaking with the J-PAL network. 

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Support Initiative Management and Coordination
  • Assist the Initiative Manager in planning, monitoring, and tracking progress toward goals.
  • Support and streamline daily operations, including scheduling, documentation, and internal reporting.
  • Provide logistical support for events, workshops, and site visits.

• Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships
  • Support the Manager in the communication with government, civil society, funders, and researchers. 
  • Coordinate and support meetings, providing relevant materials, documenting outcomes, and driving follow-up on agreed actions.
  • Strengthen partnerships by supporting matchmaking between implementing partners and J-PAL affiliates.

• Research Incubation and Request for Proposals
  • Identify promising policy and research relevant ideas in early childhood development, livelihoods, and related sectors.
  • Support the design and execution of competitive funding calls (Request for Proposals - RfPs), including drafting calls, coordinating reviews, and communicating with applicants and other stakeholders.
  • Facilitate the development of concept notes and early-stage research projects.

• Evidence Dissemination and Capacity Building
  • Support content development for policy activities: policy briefs, blog posts, presentations, and other materials to share lessons with policymakers and practitioners.
  • Assist in organizing trainings and workshops to strengthen local capacity in data use and evidence-informed policymaking.
  • Contribute to donor reports and fundraising proposals by drafting sections and compiling inputs.

Qualifications

Education

• Undergraduate studies in economics, political science, public policy, or a related field. A postgraduate degree (Master, PhD) is a plus.

Languages

• Native Spanish and intermediate to Advanced English. Although the person will work mainly in Spanish, the communication with academics and the RfP process will be mainly in English. Therefore, advanced written English is required.

Experience

• Experience working in areas related to impact evaluation, public policy, government or related fields is desirable.
• Some experience working or familiarity with Latin America and the Caribbean is a must.
• Familiarity or experience in the ECD or social protection sectors is also desirable.

Technical Skills

• Word: Advanced
• Excel: Advanced
• PowerPoint: Advanced
• Statistical Packages (STATA, R, and SQL): This is a big plus

Work permissions

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

Location

• Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala. We expect the selected candidate to work at the J-PAL office at Universidad del Valle de Guatemala and have the flexibility to visit government and NGO partners in Guatemala (sometimes work in their offices, if required).