J-PAL South Asia
## Research Associate – Green Accelerator Program – J-PAL South Asia
**About J-PAL South Asia**
The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) is a global research center dedicated to reducing poverty by ensuring that policy is informed by scientific evidence. J-PAL South Asia, based at the Institute for Financial Management and Research in India, leads J-PAL’s work in the South Asia region. We conduct randomized evaluations, build partnerships for evidence-informed policymaking, and help partners scale up effective programs. Over more than ten years of existence, J-PAL South Asia has conducted 193 ongoing and completed randomized evaluations.
**About the Position**
J-PAL South Asia is seeking a qualified Research Associate to lead impact evaluations in India. This position offers an opportunity to gain first-hand field management experience in an organization undertaking cutting-edge development research. You will join a team of world-class researchers from leading universities and gain first-hand experience implementing randomized control trials.
**Project Specific Details**
This project aims to provide empirical evidence to determine the success and scalability of a green accelerator model. We are collaborating with a prominent NGO to compare the efficacy of different models under the green accelerator program to empirically measure the effect on participating firms’ economic and environmental impacts. This study, using a randomized controlled field experiment, will contribute to the literature that allows for causal examination of combining multiple interventions into one business support program. The Principal Investigators leading this project are Stephen Anderson (McCombs School of Business) and Pradeep Chintagunta (University of Chicago).
**Research Associate – Roles and Responsibilities**
* Designing survey questionnaires, conducting qualitative research, running scoping exercises, refining study design and surveying instruments.
* Supervising data collection and data-entry, ensuring data quality and productivity.
* Overseeing implementation of the evaluation in accordance with the research design, in collaboration with partner organizations.
* Maintaining relationships with partner organizations at both headquarters and field levels.
* Managing field teams: Recruit, train, and supervise both field-based and data operations teams consisting of project assistants, field managers, field-based surveyors, data entry operators, and other field and office staff.
* Assisting with data cleaning, preliminary data analysis, and preparation of documents and presentations for dissemination.
* Reporting to PIs and supervisor on all the above-mentioned activities.
* Any other task as assigned by the Research Manager, AD Research, and ED.
**Desired Qualifications and Experience**
**Required:**
* An advanced university degree in economics, environment, or public policy.
* Previous experience of 1-2 years, preferably in development research.
* Familiarity with impact evaluations and randomized controlled trials.
* Proficiency in STATA (or other tools such as R, SPSS etc.).
* Excellent management and organizational skills along with strong quantitative skills.
* Fluency and excellent communication skills in English.
* Conversational skills in regional languages, especially Hindi, are desired.
* Flexible, self-motivating, able to manage multiple tasks efficiently, and a team player.
* Willingness to live and travel extensively to study areas.
* Demonstrated ability to manage high-level relationships with partner organizations.
* Ability to work independently.
**Preferred:**
* Basic understanding of financial and accounting of businesses.
* Basic understanding of Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 measurements, and environmental Life Cycle Analysis (LCA).
* Understanding of emission sources in industrial and manufacturing processes.
* Initiative to contribute, learn, and ideate new solutions in a dynamic team environment.
* Familiarity with data collection and SurveyCTO.
**Note on Work Authorizations**
Candidates must have work authorization to work in India.
**Job Location:** India
To apply for this job please visit www.povertyactionlab.org.
