Research Manager - Inclusion Economics Nepal at Governance Lab -J-PAL South Asia

Job Description

Inclusion Economics Nepal is an initiative affiliated with Inclusion Economics at Yale University, founded and based out of the Yale Economic Growth Center and MacMillan Center.Inclusion Economics Nepal is based at, and accountable to, Nepal’s Governance Lab at the Daayitwa Abhiyaan. Inclusion Economics Nepal collaborates with researchers at the Inclusion Economics at Yale University (YIE) team and the London School of Economics (LSE) to enable inclusive economies and societies through research and policy engagement.

Drawing insights from economics, political science, and related fields, Inclusion Economics research focuses on a set of linked activities:

• Innovative data collection to identify who is failing to access resources they need, and the invisible social and power structures that constrain opportunity.
• High-quality research to understand how to promote and sustain inclusive and accountable institutions.
• Close engagement with stakeholders ranging from government officials and local researchers to marginalized individuals to ensure research addresses policy-relevant questions and provides timely insights.
• Communication of data-driven insights to shape narratives and understanding on inclusion.
  
  

The Role

The Research Manager will play an active role in leading and managing all field activities of the projects, as well as provide data-analytic and field support in Kathmandu, with occasional travel to study field sites. The position will entail close collaboration and assistance with the design and analysis of projects and implementation. The position requires a self-starting candidate who can conduct scoping activities with local partners, manage field activities and support with high quality cleaning, merging and rigorous analysis of secondary data. The selected candidate will have the opportunity to join a team of leading economists and public policy experts from top universities across the world and Inclusion Economics Nepal. It is an excellent opportunity for someone interested in a career in academic research to work closely with a Principal Investigator team that includes Rohini Pande (Yale University), Michael Callen (London School of Economics), Noam Yuchtman (London School of Economics), Jonathan L. Weigel (UC Berkeley Haas School of Business), Soledad Artiz Prillaman (Stanford University), Stefano Fiorin (Bocconi University), and Prabin Khadka (University of Essex).

Responsibilities

In collaboration with the research and senior project teams, the Research Manager will be required to:

• Support the implementation of IEN/GovLab projects, including overseeing day-to-day field-based activities and managing a unit of facilitators/field coordinators, in collaboration with relevant policy partners and IE teams based in different locations globally.
• Maintain close contact with field-based teams to manage project activities, including intervention delivery, implementation logistics, and implementation tracking; contribute to field-based scoping, survey planning, and testing as needed.
• Support recruitment, training and supervision of field staff, facilitators, enumerators and program staff and ensure strong communication between them.
• Develop detailed fieldwork plans and maintain clear tracking systems to monitor session schedules, facilitator assignments, field activities, deliverables, and key milestones across the intervention cycle; ensure all components of the rollout are progressing according to plan.
• Proactively identify delays, gaps, or coordination breakdowns; flag issues to project leads in a timely manner; and follow up with relevant team members to ensure corrective actions are taken.
• Support routine monitoring of intervention delivery and fidelity; conduct basic checks for data completeness and consistency; and ensure tracking tools and implementation documentation are updated and reliable to uphold high data quality standards.
• Manage assigned administrative requirements of the project portfolio, including financial management, budgeting, procurement, contract set-up and compliance, grant reporting, and deliverable tracking.
• Work closely with research staff and lead investigators to ensure project budgets accurately reflect program design, and budgets are updated and executed appropriately.
• Coordinate with project teams to ensure timely submission of financial reports and projections, and sub-grantee/contract reports and deliverables to keep projects running smoothly.
• Manage relationships with funding organizations and partner institutions, including local implementing partners and community stakeholders; work with partners to coordinate project administration and logistics.
• Contribute to grant applications, progress reports, acquiring IRB approvals, and developing research protocols.
• Other tasks, as required.
  
  

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field such as economics or public policy/administration. Significant coursework in economics is highly preferred
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• Proven analytical skills and knowledge of common statistics software packages (e.g. STATA, R) and proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite
• Proven ability to manage multiple tasks and propose solutions in a timely manner with minimal supervision
• Excellent attention to detail
• Capacity to maintain an organized and structured work style in a fast-paced environment
• Strong interpersonal skills, and willingness to interact with a wide range of individuals ranging from Research Associates to academics, donors, research institutions, etc.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment
• Willingness to visit research project sites as necessary
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of Nepali
• Experience with research grants management, budgeting, and project management
• Solid understanding of research project design and processes, experience with RCTs
• Experience with Stata, Python (pandas + scrapy), GitHub, database management
• 2 to 5 years of management experience in international development or related field
  
  

What We Offer

• A dynamic and engaging environment within our office in Kathmandu, with our India based partner, and with internationally acclaimed researchers.
• A competitive salary by local standards.
• Regular travel within Nepal.
  
  

Additional Information

Compensation: Governance Lab will provide compensation on a monthly rate basis. The rate will be mutually agreed upon, commensurate with the level of the required deliverables, the qualifications and experience of the candidate.