U.S. Federal Government Contractors

Senior Data Associate – J-PAL Africa 

Country:

 

• South Africa

Education:

 

• Master's
 
• Other advanced degree
 
• Honours

Start Date (Earliest):

 3 June 2020

Start Date (Latest):

 17 August 2020

Responsibilities include:

• Develop J-PAL Africa IDEA Lab resources
• Working closely with J-PAL Global to develop resources and templates (eg., data use agreements, protocols on data sharing and management), and document best practices on the use of admin data for research
• Use existing partner experience to inform IDEA Lab resources and tailor resources to existing partners
•  Support building new partnerships with data providers
• Mapping of potential data partners (focus areas: labour, education, health) and the administrative data landscape in the region
• Scoping of administrative data to assess the potential for (multiple) randomized evaluations
• Developing data sharing agreements and systems with high potential partners
• Support maintaining and deepening relationship with long-term/established partners
• Supporting existing research teams working with partners to help partners use their own data better: developing and sharing data documentation and code; providing key summary statistics and data visualizations; providing policy and training support to data providers; supporting the interpretation and use of research results
• Ensuring best practices are adhered to for data access, storage and management for existing partnerships

Required

• A minimum of an Honours or Masters in Data science, Economics or another similar social science including graduate level courses in econometrics/statistics, microeconomics and development economics
• 2+ years of relevant professional experience
• Exceptional analytical skills: ability to frame policy-relevant research questions and work with research teams and partners to conceptualize innovative study designs.
• Strong skills in data cleaning, analysis and programming using Stata and/or R, including task automation and proven understanding of systems supporting large datasets. Enthusiastic about learning new software/ programming technologies
• Ability to understand the needs and build relationships with external data partners such as governments and other public institutions
• Advanced writing and oral presentation skills in English, particularly the ability to communicate technical research considerations to policymakers in a non-technical manner
• Excellent project management and organisational skills, attention to detail and ability to work under pressure
• Creative and effective problem-solver, self-motivated and independent
• Familiarity with and interest in randomised evaluations and experimental methods
• Right to work in South Africa (citizenship, permanent residency or critical skills visa)

Note: J-PAL Africa cannot sponsor work permits.

Apply Here