J-PAL Research Fellow, Inclusive Insurance - J-PAL Global or J-PAL Europe

Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab; Location (WV); Remote; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading global research center as a Research Fellow focused on inclusive insurance. This role offers a unique opportunity to engage in evidence analysis and research synthesis aimed at enhancing financial health for low- and middle-income populations. You will lead systematic reviews, produce impactful academic papers, and collaborate with a diverse range of stakeholders to shape the research agenda. Ideal for those passionate about social innovation and the intersection of research and policy, this position promises to be both challenging and rewarding. Contribute to meaningful change and poverty reduction through rigorous research in a dynamic and supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in economics or related field required.
• Experience with RCTs and financial inclusion preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead systematic reviews and synthesize evidence on inclusive insurance.
• Produce academic white papers and executive summaries.
• Conduct outreach with stakeholders for research project development.

Skills

Research Design

Statistical Analysis

RCT Implementation

Financial Inclusion

Microinsurance

Social Innovation

Project Management

Education

Doctoral Degree in Economics

PhD in Related Fields

Tools

Stata

R

Job description

J-PAL Research Fellow, Inclusive Insurance - J-PAL Global or J-PAL Europe

Organization:

Start Date (Earliest): 3 February 2025

About J-PAL

J-PAL is a global research center working to reduce poverty by ensuring that policy is informed by scientific evidence. Anchored by a network of more than 1,000 affiliated researchers at universities around the world, J-PAL conducts innovative research and builds powerful partnerships to solve the world’s greatest challenges.

Position Overview:

J-PAL is hiring a Research Fellow for a period of 9 months to conduct evidence analysis, research synthesis, and research agenda setting for a new initiative on inclusive insurance. Insurance plays a critical role in protecting and promoting the financial health of low- and middle-income individuals, households, and small businesses around the world. Access to insurance contributes to poverty reduction by providing protection against shocks and allowing individuals and businesses to take calculated risks that can contribute to economic growth.

J-PAL and AXA, a global insurance company, seek to scope a research initiative that will answer policy, adoption, and social impact relevant questions to ensure that inclusive insurance policies, product features, distribution partnerships, and programs are informed by scientific evidence. The aim of this work is to generate rigorous and independent insights that can galvanize a multisector collaboration to advance the global inclusive insurance agenda, contributing to the financial health and resilience of, and poverty reduction for, the most vulnerable populations.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead a systematic review of academic evidence on informal coping mechanisms and inclusive insurance, synthesizing existing studies, identifying knowledge gaps, and, in consultation with J-PAL affiliated researchers and stakeholders, help develop a research and learning agenda for a new initiative.
• Produce an academic white paper summarizing the evidence base on informal coping mechanisms, inclusive insurance, and open questions that can set the research agenda for a future research initiative; and an executive summary of findings that focuses on practical and actionable insights to inform policies, products, and distribution features.
• Conduct outreach and work with stakeholders – including academics, donors, industry, and practitioners – to develop and identify a pipeline of inclusive insurance research projects and design the piloting, monitoring, and research agenda around each new project.
• Support local researcher capacity building efforts and collaboration with local researchers involved in the project pipeline.
• Other duties may include designing and conducting experiments to quantify social impacts and inform inclusive insurance programs and/or informal coping mechanisms; contributing to other J-PAL initiatives, incubators, and training activities; partnerships development; and participating in the organization of events and seminars.

The Research Fellow will work with Professor Shawn Cole, the J-PAL Scientific Advisor for ESG and Corporate Partnerships. The position offers the opportunity to join a leading global evidence-to-policy organization and research network, with a strong track record of high-quality publication and policy impact. The position would be particularly well suited to someone with a strong interest in the role of social innovation, the private sector’s contribution to development, and the practical application of research for the design of new inclusive business models.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Education: A doctoral degree in economics, political science, public policy, business, or related fields is required. Candidates who are currently studying for a PhD in these fields are also eligible to apply.
• Experience: Significant experience and a strong background in either implementing RCTs, and/or demonstrated research interest in financial inclusion, microinsurance, social innovation, private sector contributions to development, or related fields is desired.
• Work style: Attention to detail and ability to work on projects independently.
• Time management: Proven ability to handle several different projects/tasks at one time and meet deadlines. A willingness to work hard, be self-motivated, and learn will be essential for doing well in this position.
• Software proficiency: Stata or R required.

This Research Fellow position may be based at either J-PAL Global (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, United States of America), J-PAL Europe (Paris School of Economics, France), or remote. Candidates must have legal authorization to work in the chosen location.

How to Apply

Applications are due January 31, 2025. We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis as we receive them.

Applicants are asked to submit the following materials:

• Cover letter: Please outline why you are interested in J-PAL and inclusive insurance, and why you are qualified for this role.
• CV: Please also include names of at least three references, with their email address and title.
• Writing Sample: This should be an academic publication or working paper, or thesis if PhD. For non-PhDs, please submit any other technical paper reflecting your research or technical skills.

Please submit your application and accompanying materials to [e-mail].