Research Associate - Sanitation - J-PAL South Asia

About the organization

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. Anchored by a network of 194 affiliated professors at universities around the world, J-PAL conducts randomized impact evaluations to answer critical questions in the fight against poverty. J-PAL South Asia, based at the Institute for Financial Management and Research in India, leads J-PAL’s work in the South Asia region. J-PAL South Asia conducts randomized evaluations, builds partnerships for evidence-informed policymaking, and helps partners scale up effective programs. Over more than ten years of existence, J-PAL South Asia has conducted 193 ongoing and completed randomized evaluations.

About the position

J-PAL South Asia at the Institute for Financial Management and Research seeks qualified applicants for the position of Research Associate, Enhance the Use of Community Sanitation Complexes or Community Toilets by Improving Toilet Infrastructure, to lead impact evaluations in India. The position offers an opportunity to gain first-hand field management experience in an organization undertaking cutting-edge development research. The Research Associate will join a team of world-class researchers from leading universities in the world and will gain first-hand experience implementing randomized control trials in an organization undertaking cutting-edge development research. Read more about our work and projects here.

J-PAL South Asia is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to age, disability, family status, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation and other attributes protected by law. We strongly encourage people from marginalized communities to apply for this role.

The Swachh Bharat Mission was launched to curb open defecation in urban areas, especially in slums, and has already led to the construction or refurbishment of more than 6,15,000 community and public toilets, according to a 2021 PRS India report. Despite this progress, studies continue to highlight the challenges women face when using these facilities. While women use Community Sanitary Complexes (CSCs) or Community Toilets (CTs), they face various challenges. They face a higher risk of abuse and sexual harassment in walking to the toilets (Gupta and Pal). Women have to spend much more time in toilets as compared to men (Asia Development Bank), and poor hygiene and lack of cleanliness are more of a challenge for them because of how they use toilets. Women have no agency in the design of toilets or their locations. The design is men-centric. The study aligns with the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), a key government initiative aimed at improving sanitation and reducing open defecation. By addressing gender-sensitive challenges in community toilets, the project supports SBM’s goals of enhancing public health and clean water access, as improved sanitation reduces waterborne diseases. Additionally, it promotes gender equity and sustainable development, which are integral to India government’s initiative Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme.

Research Associates work closely with Research Managers & Principal Investigators who guide and supervise them in their various tasks.

Key responsibilities

• Research Associates work closely with academic researchers and other field staff to perform a variety tasks including, but not limited to:
• Designing survey questionnaires, conducting qualitative research, running pilot exercises, refining study design and survey instruments
• Managing teams: Recruit, train, and supervise both field-based and data operations teams consisting of project assistants, field managers, field-based surveyors, data entry operators and other field and office staff
• Supervising data collection and data entry to ensure good data quality during baseline, midline, and endline phases
• Co-ordinating with the Administrative and Finance team on a variety of tasks related to field staff contracting and payments
• Overseeing the implementation of the evaluation in accordance to the research design in association with our partner organization
• Ensuring that the project complies with IRB and JPAL data collection and security protocols with the help of the Research Manager
• Maintaining relationship with partner organizations at both headquarters and field levels
• Working knowledge of at least one of the following – Stata, Python, R. Ability to work in a team, manage multiple projects and be self-motivated 
• Assisting with data cleaning and preliminary data analysis
• Assisting in preparation of documents and presentations for donor reporting as well as dissemination activities
• Reporting to PIs on all of the above-mentioned activities
• Any other task as assigned by the Research Manager, AD Research or ED

Desired qualifications

• A Bachelor's/Master’s degree in economics, social sciences, public policy, education or related fields
• Experience living in a developing country is a strong plus
• Previous experience in development research preferred
• Excellent management and organizational skills along with strong quantitative skills
• Fluency and excellent communication skills in English
• Some conversational-level skills in regional languages such as Hindi, Tamil, etc. would be beneficial.
• Flexible, self-motivating, able to manage multiple tasks efficiently, and team player
• Demonstrated ability to manage high-level relationships with partner organizations
• Knowledge of Stata (strongly preferred) or other data analysis software is preferred
• Familiarity with randomized controlled trials/clinical trials/quasi-experiments preferred
• Ability to deal with unstructured and changing environments
• Ability to work independently and in rural field locations

Location: Bihar

Length of commitment: 6 months

Note on work authorizations

Candidates must have work authorization to work in India.