J-PAL is recruiting an Undergraduate Policy Intern to contribute to its mission of promoting evidence-based policy through the Global office. The internship is based at MIT in Cambridge, MA (not remote work). This is a paid, full-time position (40 hours per week) during the summer. Start and end dates are flexible, but we ask for a ten-week commitment at minimum.
The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) was established in 2003 as a research center at the Economics Department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Since then, it has grown into a global network of researchers who use randomized evaluations to answer critical policy questions in the fight against poverty.
J-PAL’s mission is to reduce poverty by ensuring that policy is based on scientific evidence, and research is translated into action. We do this through three main activities:
- Conducting Rigorous Impact Evaluations: J-PAL researchers conduct randomized evaluations to test and improve the effectiveness of programs and policies aimed at reducing poverty.
- Policy Outreach: J-PAL’s policy group analyzes and disseminates research results and builds partnerships with policymakers to ensure that policy is driven by evidence, and effective programs are scaled up.
- Capacity Building: J-PAL equips practitioners with the expertise to carry out their own rigorous evaluations through training courses and joint research projects.
Responsibilities:
The Undergraduate Policy Intern supports the efforts of the Policy Group at J-PAL Global to translate research into action.
- Communications: Assisting with the maintenance of J-PAL’s website
- Database Management: Tracking changes to J-PAL’s research network and projects using internal information systems like Salesforce
- Policy Writing: Helping maintain J-PAL’s evaluation summaries database, including writing, updating, and fact-checking summaries
- Sector-Specific Work: Completing small research and writing tasks that involve working with policy staff for J-PAL’s eight sectors (Agriculture; Crime, Violence & Conflict; Education; Environment & Energy; Finance; Governance; Health; and Labor)
- Miscellaneous: Any other tasks as needed
Qualifications:
Your strong communication and organizational skills, as well as your background in economics/public policy and your interest in poverty alleviation, make you an ideal candidate for the Undergraduate Policy Intern.
- Education: You are a junior or senior with high grades in economics coursework, including econometrics/statistics.
- Experience and Interest: You have demonstrated strong interest in international development or public policy through coursework, study abroad, or previous internship experience.
- Communication: Your strong communication skills help you write clear and concise documents.
- Organization: Your robust organizational capacity and ability to pay attention to detail enable you to handle several projects at once and meet deadlines
- Attitude: You are willing to work hard, excited to learn, and enthusiastic about taking on a broad range of assignments
Apply by February 23rd at https://www.povertyactionlab.org/careers/undergraduate-policy-intern-summer-2018-102424.
