Senior Research Associate, Education, Morocco Employment Lab - J-PAL MENA

I- Job summary

The Morocco Employment Lab (MEL) is looking to hire a Senior Research Associate to coordinate its research efforts to foster a culture of evidence-based policymaking in Morocco. This position will be based in our offices at the University Mohammed VI Polytechnic campus in Rabat.

About the research projects

The Senior Research Associate will supervise the activities of the following two projects:

- a randomised evaluation carried out by researchers affiliated with the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab at MIT and other international researchers: Andreas de Barros (University of California Irvine), Marc Gurgand (Paris School of Economics), Rebecca Thornton (Baylor University), Hosam Ibrahim (University of Minnesota), Sarah Chloe Deschenes (The World Bank), in collaboration with the Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports (MENPS). The studied intervention aims to place students from teacher training programs as tutors in middle schools. The objective is to study how employing these teacher trainees as tutors to address weak fundamental skills can impact student learning and skills, as well as the effect of placing teacher trainees on teacher selection and future quality.

- an evaluation carried out by researchers affiliated with the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab at MIT: Andreas de Barros (University of California Irvine), Paul Glewwe (University of Minnesota), Hosam Ibrahim (University of Minnesota) ) and Sarah Chloe Deschênes (The World Bank), and in collaboration with implemented by the Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports (MENPS). It aims to assess the impact of interventions carried out by the Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports (MENPS) of Morocco to strengthen learning in primary school. Interventions include explicit teaching (also referred to as structured pedagogy) and a Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) program.

and other research projects to be implemented in the future by the Morocco Employment Lab in the field of education.

About the Morocco Employment Lab (MEL)

Launched in September 2020 as part of a joint partnership between the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) and Center for International Development (CID), the Morocco Employment Lab (MEL) seeks to create a culture of evidence-based policymaking in Morocco through rigorous impact evaluations and capacity building. MEL has a foundational focus on employment but it is expanding its work in other sectors, such as education, firm growth, agriculture and social protection.

About the Senior Research Associate role 

The position offers a unique opportunity for the Senior Research Associate to develop and support the research infrastructure of the Morocco Employment Lab and assist a variety of research projects in the areas of data security, data analysis, and field support in an organization undertaking cutting-edge development research. 

The Senior Research Associate will be directly supervised by the above-mentioned researchers of the two projects, the Morocco Employment Lab Director, and will also work closely with senior staff from J-PAL MENA and CID, and other field staff to perform a variety of research tasks. 

The position is designed to help the selected candidate prepare for graduate-level studies in economics, quantitative education research, and/or further professional opportunities in impact evaluation. Alumni who worked with the study's investigators in similar positions have gone on to Ph.D. and Masters programs at Harvard and the University of Chicago, for example.

II. Key responsibilities:

Research project management: 

- Collaborate with researchers on the design and implementation of data collection plans

- Oversee field research activities, including the implementation of the evaluation, according to the research design in coordination with researchers and partners

- Assist with hiring survey firms, including drafting terms of reference

- Maintain and grow effective relationships with partner organizations

- Play an active role in researchers and research associate’s onboarding 

- Collaborate with research staff throughout the project lifecycle. This includes supporting with technical questions (e.g. coding in STATA), devising data encryption protocols, personally identifiable data management…etc.

- Ensure J-PAL research protocols are respected through all research activities, report to J-PAL Global and J-PAL MENA

- Lead local institutional review board applications

- Engage with local authorities and undertake administrative procedures to ensure all data collection authorizations are obtained

- Develop research public projects, under the supervision of J-PAL Global and J-PAL MENA research teams

Reporting and Communication:

- Provide periodic updates on project activities to researchers and subject experts

- Participate in the planning and design of any activities with partners

- Ensure that project activities are on schedule and prepare project update reports according to agreements with funders and partners

- Any other work assigned by the MEL’s Directors

III. Requirements

Education:

- A Master's Degree in economics, public policy, mathematics, statistics or related technical fields including training in microeconomics, econometrics, statistics, and advanced mathematics

- Graduate-level coursework in economics is a plus

Experience:

- Minimum 3 years of relevant experience, including 2 years of research experience

- Experience with STATA and/or R data analysis software is a must; experience interpreting data analysis; experience with academic writing

- Experience with budget management is a plus

- Experience with living in Morocco is a strong advantage

 Skills:

- Very strong quantitative, organisational, and communication skills are necessary

- Fluency in French and in English. Arabic command is a strong advantage

- Flexible, self-motivating, able to manage multiple tasks efficiently, and a team player

- Demonstrated ability to manage high-level relationships with partner organisations

- Familiarity with evaluation methods and randomised controlled trials preferred

- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines