Policy Associate - SDI-LAB - Guatemala

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 summarize the results of the investigation, 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 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 Project:

The Social Development Innovations Lab (SDI-LAB) is a joint initiative between the Ministry of Social Development (MIDES), Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG), and J-PAL LAC. Housed within MIDES’ ViceMinistry of Policy, Planning, and Evaluation (VPPE), the Lab is being created to institutionalize a “test, learn, and scale” approach to social policy design and delivery—so that public programs are better targeted, more effective, and more accountable to the populations they serve. The Policy Associate will work under the supervision of the Policy Manager leading the SDI-Lab and in close collaboration with MIDES technical counterparts.

The Associate will play a central role in conducting policy and operational analysis, coordinating day-to-day implementation activities, monitoring pilots and technical assistance workstreams, and systematically documenting lessons from the Lab’s work. This role is ideal for someone who is highly organized, analytically strong, and motivated by public service, and who can help turn ideas into concrete workplans, products, and follow-up across government, research, and partner teams.

Summary of the Role:

The Policy Associate supports the day-to-day implementation and institutionalization of the SDI-LAB by coordinating activities and stakeholders, conducting policy and operational analysis, documenting lessons from pilots, and translating evidence into actionable recommendations and products for MIDES.

Responsibilities:

• Project coordination and implementation support:
  • Support the Policy Manager in planning workstreams, tracking milestones, and following up on deliverables across the Lab's activities.
  • Support the implementation of the SDI-LAB workplan, including activity planning, milestone tracking, meeting preparation, follow-up on agreements, the coordination of deliverables, the Leadership Committee, the Technical Working Group, training, and field-based activities.
  • Help maintain organized project records, timelines, and logistics for workshops, consultations, field visits, and partner engagement.
  • Support the Manager in communication with government, civil society, funders, and researchers.
  • Strengthen partnerships by supporting matchmaking between implementing partners and J-PAL affiliates.
• Analytical support and systematization:
  • Conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis of administrative data, program documentation, interviews, focus groups, and other relevant sources. Support the design of data collection tools and the mapping of implementation processes, identifying operational bottlenecks, deviations from planned processes, and emerging lessons to inform the Lab’s priorities and recommendations for program improvement.
  • Work closely with MIDES technical counterparts across VPPE, the Directorate of Monitoring and Evaluation, the Directorate of Planification, the Directorate of Social Information System, and program units to gather information, coordinate activities, and follow up on agreed actions.
  • Document implementation learnings from pilots such as Beca Artesano and Bono Emergencia, and help translate them into internal notes, briefs, presentations, and follow-up actions.
  • Support the broader VPPE teams in internalizing the Lab's methods, routines, and evidence-use functions.
• Stakeholder engagement and evidence use:
  • Coordinate communication and follow-up with MIDES directorates, program teams, researchers, funders, and partner institutions, ensuring timely exchange of information.
  • Coordinate with J-PAL LAC’s research, training, policy, and communications teams, as well as with UVG and affiliated researchers, on specific technical and operational activities.
  • Prepare concise written and visual materials for senior government counterparts and external partners, including agendas, summaries, talking points, and slide decks.
  • Conduct targeted literature and evidence reviews to identify relevant research and international experiences that can inform MIDES programs and Lab initiatives.
  • Support training sessions, Communities of Practice, and other capacity-building activities on monitoring and evaluation, theory of change, data use, and evidence-informed policymaking.
• Institutionalization and sustainability support:
  • Contribute to drafting and compiling key Lab products.
  • Assist with dissemination activities and events that communicate pilot learnings and strengthen the Lab's legitimacy inside MIDES and among external stakeholders.
  • Provide cross-cutting operational support to help position the SDI-LAB as a sustainable, nationally owned mechanism for innovation and continuous improvement in social policy.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's; master is a plus Master's
• Languages: English (Intermediate to advanced); Spanish (Fluent or native); Portuguese (Not needed)
• Experience: 1 a 2 anos
• Bachelor’s degree in economics, political science, public policy or data science.
• A master’s degree is a plus.
• Full proficiency in Spanish is a must. As you would also frequently interact with the Global and regional teams, intermediate to advanced English proficiency is needed.
• Willingness to communicate with the J-PAL LAC team in Portuguese is welcome, but you are not expected to speak fluent Portuguese.
• At least 1years of experience in policy or data analysis, monitoring and evaluation, and collaborating on projects.
• Familiarity with critical thinking and writing, policy brief development, and systematization of findings.

Analytical Skills:

• Impact evaluation (RCTs)
• Data visualization
• Data analysis
• Literature review
• Policy analysis
• Monitoring and evaluation (M&E)

Technical and Statistical Tools:

• Word (Advanced)
• Excel (Advanced)
• Power Point/Presentation tools (Advanced)
• Statistical Packages (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:

Guatemala City, Guatemala - Hybrid