Manager, Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab Research, Middle East and North Africa region, Grant Position

Reports to: Director, Research

Purpose: About Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) Middle East and North Africa region at The American University in Cairo (AUC): The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab’s Middle East and North Africa regional office is based at AUC School of Business. 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 more than 200 affiliated professors at universities around the world, J-PAL draws on results from randomized impact evaluations to answer critical questions in the fight against poverty.

The job holder requires significant training in economics and significant experience in empirical research. He/she will manage up to three randomized controlled trials being conducted in Egypt with government or non-governmental organizations (NGO) partners and J-PAL affiliated professors. The job holder is responsible for managing the overall project including data collection, data security, data analysis, and logistical support, as well as implementing partner and funder relationships. He/she will supervise project teams of senior research officers and/or research officers, and works in close collaboration with research operations managers and field coordinators. Furthermore, he/she is responsible for high quality, secure, and ethical data collection. In addition, interface directly with project Principal Investigators (PIs) and is expected to meet with and present regularly to implementing partners and project donors.

Responsibilities:

• Research project management: For specific research projects (typically anywhere from 1-3 projects at a time depending on size), work under a J-PAL affiliate PI and co-PIs to:
• Work with data sets, cleaning and running checks to spot errors, and generally preparing data for analysis using STATA and/or R data analysis software. (experience with STATA and/or R data analysis software is a must to be qualified for this position)
• Collaborate with PIs on the design and implementation of data collection plans
• Manage project research staff through all stages of empirical research from project exploration and piloting through project close-down, analysis, and drafting research papers and policy briefs
• Ensure effective and efficient implementation of field activities by research project staff;
• Responsible for keeping research on schedule
• Accountable for the overall quality control of the project field activities, including the quality of the data collected
• Prepare, update, and manage project budgets
• Report regularly to PIs, implementing partners, and J-PAL MENA management on project progress, problems, spending, and schedule; lead regular team, PI, and partner meetings
• Provide advance notice to PIs and J-PAL MENA management on potential problems such as delays, overspending, and data quality issues
• As needed, assist with literature reviews and questionnaire writing and piloting
• Lead new and revised institutional review board applications
• Prepare data for publication and publish data
• Support on new research project development: Lead technical exploration of potential new impact evaluations with J-PAL affiliated professors, helping to develop research design, recruit implementing partners, and support efforts to secure project funding.
• Contribute to research resources: Lead creation of some research technical public goods to help develop J-PAL MENA research team technical skills
• Share research results: Present ongoing and completed research results from projects with partners, broader stakeholders in government, donors, and others in person and virtually
• Management and coaching: Support the career growth and development of Officers and Senior Officers on J-PAL MENA staff; provide technical training and on-the-job support
• Supervision of research project staff: Supervise project work of research officers and field coordinators, delegating and following up on tasks, and coordinating overall staff efforts to effectively implement project
• Perform any other tasks as needed

Requirements:

Minimum Education Requirements:

• Master’s degree in economics, mathematics, or statistics

Experience:

• Experience with STATA and/or R data analysis software is a must; experience interpreting data analysis; experience with academic writing
• Minimum 8 years of relevant experience, including 5 years of research experience.
• Proven experience managing teams and projects
• Significant experience with data collection techniques data analysis software

Skills:

• Expert user of STATA and/or R data analysis software
• Bi-lingual Arabic and English
• Proficient with data collection techniques and field research including primary data collection
• Project management skills: Ability to plan tasks for teams, monitor progress, make corrections to plans
• Strong budget management skills required
• Team player with good problem-solving and time management skills
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines

This position is open until March 15, 2023

Placement is based on the candidate’s experience and skills. Only candidates who make it to the shortlist will be contacted.

"The American University in Cairo is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply."

“We thank all individuals who have expressed interest in working at The American University in Cairo.”