Research Partnerships Manager (Latin America)
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About the Role
The JILAEE is seeking a Research Partnerships Manager to develop and manage collaborations that enable large-scale, policy-relevant field experiments across Latin America.
This role sits at the intersection of research and practice. You will work closely with leading academic researchers to identify, evaluate, and secure partnerships with governments, firms, and other organizations that can serve as platforms for rigorous empirical research.
This is a highly independent, externally facing role. You will be responsible for building a pipeline of high-quality research opportunities and helping translate real-world partnerships into viable experimental designs.
Key Responsibilities
Partnership Development: Identify and cultivate relationships with government agencies, private sector firms, and select NGOs across Latin America
Opportunity Sourcing: Proactively originate potential research collaborations aligned with ongoing research agendas
Screening & Evaluation: Assess potential partners for feasibility, scale, and suitability for experimental research
Project Development: Work with researchers and partners to move promising opportunities toward pilot or full-scale experimental implementation
Field Engagement: Maintain ongoing relationships with partners to support long-term collaboration
External Visibility: Contribute to the group’s external presence, including sharing research insights and partnership opportunities
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree or higher in economics, public policy, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience working in or with institutions in Latin America
Strong understanding of what makes a credible and scalable research setting
Demonstrated ability to build and manage relationships with external stakeholders
Experience with field experiments, impact evaluations, or applied research (academic or implementation side)
Fluency in Spanish required; Portuguese strongly preferred
Excellent communication skills across technical and non-technical audiences
Preferred Profile
Experience working with governments, firms, or implementing organizations in sectors such as agriculture, finance, utilities, or public service delivery
Familiarity with the academic research ecosystem (e.g., field experiments, RCTs, or quasi-experimental methods)
Ability to operate independently in ambiguous, early-stage environments
Location & Travel
Based in Latin America strongly preferred
Willingness to travel regularly within the region
What Success Looks Like
Development of a strong pipeline of high-quality research partners
Advancement of partnerships into concrete research projects
Facilitation of large-scale, policy-relevant experimental studies