Becker Friedman Institute – Development Innovation Lab
The Becker Friedman Institute for Economics (BFI) works with the Chicago Economics community to turn its evidence-based research into real-world impact. BFI takes a unique approach to bridging the divide between academic researchers and decision-makers in the business community and government by translating and packaging the rigorous work of the Chicago Economics community into accessible formats, and proactively sharing those findings with relevant decision-makers and thought leaders around the globe. BFI is a collaborative platform serving the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, the Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics, the Harris School of Public Policy, and the Law School. For more information visit https://bfi.uchicago.edu. The Development Innovation Lab is an affiliate of the Development Economics Center at the Becker Friedman Institute for Economics, which brings together scholars from across the UChicago community to address challenges to economic growth and political stability in developing countries. The Development Innovation Lab uses the tools of economics to develop innovations with the potential to benefit millions of people in low- and middle-income countries. For more information visit https://bfi.uchicago.edu/development-innovation-lab/.
The Research Manager will work closely with Professor Rachel Glennerster to manage her portfolio of Randomized Control Trials with particular focus on a set of RCTs on childhood immunization in Pakistan. The Research Manager is responsible for helping coordinate and manage a team of 4 research staff in Chicago and Pakistan to achieve high quality, smoothly running projects. This involves providing technical feedback and guidance on data collection and analysis as well as overseeing project management tasks like human subjects, data security, donor reporting, and budgets. The Research Manager will work very closely with Professor Glennerster as well as other Principle Investigators. This role will require travel to Pakistan (roughly 2 times a year) where the research projects are located. The RM will also be involved in grant applications and set up for new projects.

Project Description: IRD Global, with whom Professor Glennerster has partnered for over a decade, works closely with the Government of Sindh to administer an electronic registry of immunizations in Sindh. This registry allows automatic transfer of phone credit to caregivers to compensate for the costs associated with vaccination (including travel costs). The intervention was tested in a previous randomized impact evaluation and is now being scaled in 7 districts in Sindh. The new project has 4 main research objectives:

• to estimate the impact on vaccination rates of the introduction of incentives at scale
• to understand the characteristics of those not being reached at all by current immunization services
• to pilot additional steps that could further increase the effectiveness of the mCCT program; and
• to test to ensure there are not negative spillovers on other non-immunization services

• Liaise with research grantor and fulfill report requirements as needed.
• Drafts and maintains project documentation, including research protocols, registration to research registries (e.g. clinical trials and social science registries), and necessary documentation for IRB and other University requirements.
• Manages relationships with University procurement, finance and legal departments as well as research partner to follow processes and manage contracts, finance, procurement, data agreement as needed.
• Supervises project budgeting, including creating forecast and maintaining project expense reports in collaboration with finance department.
• Supports PIs in writing grant proposal and managing grant reports.
• Prepares results for memos, presentations, and papers targeting both policymakers and academic audiences.
• Serves as project manager and the main point of contact for communication, including communications and project deliverables. Meaningfully contributes to research design, analysis, and implementation of policy-relevant research projects.
• Applies research principles and relevant subject matter knowledge relevant to administer a research project. With a moderate level of direction, manages project related duties and tasks. Helps develop, design and conduct research projects according to plan.
• Tracks all project inputs, activities and timeline to minimize delays, identify implementation difficulties and operational and strategic issues, develop alternative plans if needed, and address errors or lapses.
• Develops and maintains data storage and organization systems for the project.
• Ensures sufficient research support is provided to all project leads through regular meetings and involvement in project planning and timelines.
• Develops policy and outreach materials to support further project development and scaling.
• As required, supports data collection and analytical needs of research projects. Conducts literature reviews and helps write reports and manuscripts. Ensures project compliance with different policies, procedures, directives, and mandates.
• Helps manage project teams and junior staff, leads task supervision and quality oversight.
• Regularly checks in with research support staff and ensures they are working effectively on their allocated responsibilities, provide mentoring and support as needed.
• Oversees statistical data analysis led by project Research staff to help meet overall objectives and deliverables.
• Supports local research managers to manage the team locally and plan local research activities, including field visits and large recruitment activities.
• Determines and undertakes staff recruitment in Chicago and Pakistan as needed.
• Attends in-person and virtual meetings to manage progress and discuss challenges.
• Flexible to work across different time zones for virtual meetings.
• Ability to travel to Pakistan, up to 20%.
• Applies research principles and relevant subject matter knowledge relevant to administer a research project. With a moderate level of direction, manages lab and/or research-related duties and tasks. Helps develop, design and conduct research projects according to plan.
• Supports data collection and analytical needs of research projects. Conducts literature reviews and helps write reports and manuscripts. Ensures project compliance with different policies, procedures, directives, and mandates.
• Takes responsibility for the following non-laboratory duties: transcribing and coding data; developing data collection instruments; presenting research; and recruiting and scheduling research subjects. Acquires higher-level skills and knowledge in the process.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field. Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

• Bachelor’s degree and/ or Master’s degree in economics, mathematics, statistics, public policy, or related discipline.

• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience, including 2+ years of experience managing teams and projects.
• Experience in research impact evaluation

• Experience with STATA and/or R data analysis software is a must; experience interpreting data analysis; experience with academic writing.
• Proficient with data collection techniques and field research including primary data collection.
• Project management skills; plan tasks for teams, monitor progress, make corrections to plans.
• Experience with budgets and fundraising or grant management.
• Fluency in English.
• Experience with budgets.
• Team player with good problem-solving and time management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills as well as written and oral communication skills
• Work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Two to five years previous experience working on one or more Randomized Trials, preferably as a research assistant based in a low or middle income country or research manager of an RCT based in a LIC or MIC.

• Develop and maintain strong partnerships with external collaborators, funders, journalists, or other important constituencies.
• Excellent oral and written communication including the ability to translate technical ideas into non-technical content.
• Support building relationships across diverse cultures and backgrounds, within the University, the regional ecosystem, and globally.

• Perform tasks mostly indoors in an office setting.
• Work independently for periods of eight (8) hours or more.
• Some travel to low and middle income countries.

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• Three Professional References Contact Information (required)

Research
Individual Contributor
Exempt
Monthly
37.5
Yes
Yes
No
No
No