Job Description
J-PAL Southeast Asia, based at the Institute for Economic and Social Research at the University of Indonesia (LPEM-FEUI) seeks a qualified applicant for the position of Research Manager for
a variety of projects in Indonesia. This mid-level management position
offers an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience and to have
significant responsibility in a vibrant organization undertaking
cutting-edge development research.
The
Research Managers will report directly to J-PAL SEA’s Research Director
based in Jakarta and will collaborate closely with the Executive
Director, as well as the office’s Scientific Directors, namely Ben Olken
of MIT and Rema Hanna of Harvard University.
The
RM will be responsible for performing a variety tasks including, but
not limited to: overseeing several research associates and their
projects; managing and negotiating contracts with survey firms;
designing survey questionnaires; providing guidance to pilot exercises,
study designs and surveying instruments; assisting in checking,
analyzing data, and in the writing of project reports and policy memos;
coordinating with local partners, including government, running the
programs being evaluated; and supporting outreach to policymakers in
country. The RM will also assist in the development and implementation
of new research projects related to topics such as Education, Health,
Microfinance, Governance, Agriculture, Environment and Discrimination.
The Research Manager will be based in Jakarta, but can expect to travel to rural and urban project sites across Indonesia.
Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):
Research and Relationship management:
- Directly oversee and provide guidance to in-country Research Associates and their respective projects
- Build and maintain strong relationships with researchers working on randomized evaluations in the Southeast Asia region
- Collaborate with potential partners, J-PAL SEA management and PIs on the development, conceptual design and implementation of randomized evaluations
- Contribute to building systems that facilitate good research practices by our affiliates, including data security and confidentiality, registering trials, making data sets public
- Support tasks that advance the mission of J-PAL SEA, including mentoring new staff, building external relationships, and helping with conferences to spur new research collaborations and disseminate research results
Grant Management
- Work with the J-PAL SEA management team and PIs to develop budgets and coordinate all aspects of grant submission to donors
- Coordinate annual progress reports, performance, or financial reporting, as required by specific grants
- Monitor anticipated and actual costs charged to project budgets, regularly communicate these to PIs, and identify and prevent potential overruns
Reporting and Communication
- Establish and maintain processes and systems for effective communication, including reporting, with Research Associates, PIs and J-PAL SEA management
- Provide routine verbal and written updates on project activities to stakeholders, including PIs and J-PAL SEA management
- Coordinate the preparation of summary reports and dissemination materials
- Proactively identify and conduct, in coordination with J-PAL SEA management, outreach activities
Mandatory Qualifications:
- A Masters degree in economics, social sciences, public policy, math, statistics or related technical fields. (Candidates with a Bachelors degree will be considered if they have exceptional prior experience managing RCTs or similar types of field research)
- Minimum two years of prior work experience managing field research, preferably in Indonesia
- Fluency and excellent communication skills in Bahasa and English
- Advanced familiarity with RCTs
- Proven project management, human resource supervision, and organizational skills
- Demonstrated ability to manage high-level relationships with partner organizations, donors and government officials
- Attention to detail and advanced writing and presentation skills (clear, precise, creative) for communicating policy lessons from academic papers in ways that policymakers understand
- Flexibility, self-motivation, and ability to effectively work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
- High proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint
- Work authorization in Indonesia (either by being an Indonesian national or otherwise)
Preferred Qualifications and Experience
- Prior experience managing RCTs
- Strong quantitative skills, including knowledge of Stata (strongly preferred) or other data analysis software
- Significant training in and a strong technical understanding of economics and econometrics
Note on Work Authorizations: You must have work authorization in Indonesia (either by being an Indonesian national or otherwise)
How to Apply
Please send an email to jpalseajobs@povertyactionlab.org and jobs@poverty-action.org following these instructions exactly:
- Use the following as the email subject line: “101221 J-PAL SEA, Research Manager.” Please do not include any other text in the body of the e-mail. Adding extra text will interfere with the processing of your application.
- Attach PDF copies of your CV and a cover letter no longer than 500 words. The cover letter should discuss how you meet the aforementioned position requirements, emphasizing relevant skills and experience, as well as why you are interested in working with J-PAL SEA on RCTs.
Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interviews
