Senior Education & Training Associate at the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) Africa

The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (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 261 affiliated professors at universities around the world, J-PAL conducts randomized impact evaluations to answer critical questions in the fight against poverty.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Senior Education & Training Associate, Nigeria

Location: Nigeria
Start Date (Earliest): 1st December, 2021
Start Date (Latest): 1st February, 2022
Length of Commitment: Two years
Language Requirement: French

About the Role

• J-PAL Africa is seeking a passionate Education and Training Associate to support training outreach activities. The successful candidate will design, manage, coordinate and teach at training events on evaluation methodologies and the use of evidence in policy making.
• They will also support J-PAL Africa’s initiatives to increase access for African researchers to resources needed to conduct randomized evaluations, which includes our African Scholars programs as well as efforts to incorporate randomized evaluation content in academic curricula across the continent.
• The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) is a global network of academics who specialise in conducting randomised evaluations of social policies/programmes to generate scientific evidence about what works in the fight against poverty. J-PAL’s policy and communications group builds partnerships with policymakers to ensure that policy is driven by evidence and effective programmes are scaled up.
• This role is a great opportunity for a young professional to develop skills on training/events management and to deepen knowledge of randomized evaluation methodologies.
• There is ample space to craft new projects and engage in strategic planning as we are developing the Education and Training portfolio of activities. We are looking for a hands-on, practical problem-solver, with a passion for bringing people together and increasing diversity in the field of Development Economics.

Main Responsibilities
Training Portfolio:

• Design and coordinate effective training events, in-person and virtual, including overseeing logistics (budget, communications) and participant feedback to ensure a seamless experience
• Create training content and present at workshops and guest lectures
• Create reports after each event and work with wider J-PAL teams to improve content and delivery for following events
• Assist in finding and creating new opportunities for trainings through research and relationship building

Education & Research Portfolio:

• Support relationship building with African universities
• Develop and implement strategies to increase take-up of the Data, Economics, and Development Policy (DEDP) Micromasters in Sub Saharan Africa
• Build and grow relationships with African scholars interested in conducting randomized evaluations and connect them to research opportunities or appropriate resources
• Create and manage a community of African researchers interested in conducting randomized evaluations, including the development of a dedicated contacts database/listserv and associated communication contents
• Support the delivery of African scholars programs created by J-PAL research initiatives, including coordinating mentoring programs

Minimum Requirements 

• Honours or Master’s Degree, including training in microeconomics, development economics, econometrics and statistics (Master’s Other advanced degree/ Honours)
• A minimum of two years of experience in development economics or social science research using quantitative methods. Experience in impact evaluation as well as a demonstrated understanding of randomized evaluations are strongly preferred.
• Ability to create and maintain high-level relationships with senior policymakers, implementers, and researchers.
• Exceptional attention to detail and innate drive to achieve high standards.
• Practical and creative problem-solver who can remain calm under pressure.
• Ability to multitask and successfully complete projects on tight deadlines with little supervision.
• Polished communications in written and spoken English. Ability and confidence to effectively communicate with internal and external stakeholders both formally and informally as well as in presentations.
• A collaborative mindset and appetite to learn.
• Enthusiasm for travel across the continent and willingness to work across time zones.Highly advantageous
• French fluency
• Masters degree, including training in microeconomics, development economics, econometrics and statistics.
• Previous teaching and/or event organization experience.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note: Candidates must currently be based and able to work in Nigeria.