Research Manager: J-PAL Africa at University of Cape Town

Requirements:

• A Masters in Public Policy or Economics or another similar social science including graduate level (Honours and up) courses in econometrics/ statistics, microeconomics or development economics
• A minimum of two years relevant work experience
• Demonstrated ability to conduct rigorous quantitative research
• Strong skills in data cleaning and analysis or other programming including task automation using Stata and/or R and/or Python 3
• Experience managing complex research projects
• Demonstrated people management experience (including managing staff at multiple levels), ideally including managing a survey team in a developing country
• Experience in managing relationships with multiple stakeholders from different institutions or departments
• Experience writing and managing budgets Proven ability to handle multiple diverse assignments at one time, successfully complete assigned tasks and meet deadlines while conducting high-quality work
• Advanced writing and oral presentation skills in English, particularly the ability to communicate technical research considerations to policymakers in a non-technical manner
• Familiarity with Microsoft and Google Suite
• Ability and willingness to learn new software/ programming technologies
• Valid driver’s license
• Ability to travel regularly within South Africa, and occasionally overseas 

Advantageous

• Experience conducting field research in developing countries would be advantageous
• Familiarity with data collection software like SurveyCTO and/or Qualtrics

Responsibilities include:

• Project Management: managing J-PAL Africa’s evaluations
• Supervise several impact evaluations/research projects concurrently.
• Planning and feedback with principal investigators in a timely manner.
• Preparing budgets and financial reports for donors and project financial management
• Manage all the steps of the implementation of each impact evaluation: project management, sampling, intervention monitoring, data collection, data cleaning and analysis
• Hire, train and supervise the team working on each research project, including (Senior) Research
• Associates, and less directly, Interns, Project Associates and field enumerators as appropriate.
• Project Development: Working with prospective partners and academics to craft and fundraise for project ideas.
• Relationship Management: Oversee communication and engagement with (potential) partner organizations and other stakeholders and funders
• Support as a trainer of capacity building activities of J-PAL Africa: workshops, seminars, Evaluating Social
• Programmes Executive Education courses, and staff training

Closing date: 18 February 2026