J-PAL Europe seeks qualified applicants for a Research Associate position, Niger

J-PAL Europe seeks qualified applicants for a Research Associate position to coordinate field research and piloting activities of Randomized Control Trials in Niger. Specifically, the Research Associate will participate in the evaluation of programs aiming at reducing the numbers of children marriages and pregnancies. The Principal Investigators for these projects are J-PAL affiliate Elise Huillery (Paris Dauphine University), Bastien Michel (Aarhus University) and Hélène Giacobino (J-PAL Europe).

The position offers an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience and to have significant responsibility in a vibrant organization undertaking cutting-edge development research. In collaboration with the respective PIs, the Research Associate will support the implementation of the project for which he is hired. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring activities are implemented with fidelity to the research design, as well as having close relationship with and between actors at various levels of the government, implementing partners, and field staffs.

Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

Strong Project Participation and Oversight:

• Maintain and grow effective relationships with partner organizations
• Oversee and lead the field research activities, including the implementation of the evaluation, according to the research design in coordination with partners
• Liaising with field staff running the evaluations and collaborating with them including travels to research field sites
• Conduct background research in conjunction with field research activities
• Supervise data collection and data-entry and ensure the good quality of the data at each of these two stages
• Assist with data cleaning and preliminary data analysis

Reporting and Communication:

• Facilitate, strengthen and maintain effective and efficient communication as the primary contact point with PIs
• Provide periodic updates on project activities to PIs and subject experts
• Ensure that project activities are on schedule and draft reports according to agreements with funders and partners

Mandatory Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree in economics, public policy, math, statistics or related technical fields
• Training in and a technical understanding of economics and econometrics
• Fluency in French and an excellent command of English
• Proven management and organizational skills
• Demonstrated ability to manage high-level relationships with partner organizations
• Flexibility, self-motivation, and ability to effectively work independently and as part of a team. A willingness to work hard and learn will be essential for doing well in this position.
• High proficiency in MS Office and Stata

Preferred Qualifications and Experience

• Familiarity with RCTs is strongly preferred
• A prior work experience including managing multi-stakeholders initiatives in a collegiate or professional setting is an advantage
• Attention to detail and advanced writing (clear, precise, creative) The position is based in Niamey (NIGER).