Senior Policy and Research Associate - 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 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. Paula leads the office’s overall strategy, fundraising and has a more external-facing role. Claudia leads 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 team, project, or initiative you would be working with

The project provides technical assistance to support Guatemala’s Ministry of Environment (MARN) in adapting and implementing a payment for ecosystem services (PES) scheme aimed at reducing deforestation and promoting reforestation, particularly among indigenous and rural communities. Key activities include reviewing existing PES programs, conducting a literature review, coordinating a needs assessment evaluation with field work (including hiring a team to implement the evaluation), and drafting tailored recommendations.

Summary of the role

• The selected candidate will be in charge of coordinating the technical assistance.
• This is a full-time position.
• Responsibilities include but are not limited to
• Coordinate the work with different stakeholders (MARN, other government agencies, research team, J-PAL, etc.)
• Map existing PES schemes in Guatemala and abroad
• Review literature on PES
• Coordinate the field work of a needs assessment on target populations
• Draft reports for MARN, donors, and other stakeholders

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 English. Although the person will work mainly in Spanish, the literature review and PES programs mapping will require knowledge of English.
• 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 environmental sector is also desirable.
• Technical Skills:
  • Word: Basic
  • Excel: Basic
  • PowerPoint: Intermediate
  • Statistical Packages (STATA, R, and SQL): No

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 MARN and also visit regularly J-PAL office at Universidad del Valle de Guatemala.