Research Associate
Position Summary
The Research Associate (RA) will support a team of investigators from Northwestern University, GRADE, and Harvard in collaboration with the Central Bank of Peru (BCRP). The project aims to evaluate the impact of launching a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) on households’ financial inclusion, savings, and consumption. It also seeks to understand downstream effects such as changes in how small merchants run their business, their profitability, and whether access to digital payment methods encourages migration and greater participation in the formal financial system.
Responsibilities
- Conduct informal qualitative fieldwork in rural areas—such as exploratory conversations, semi-structured interviews, and focus group discussions—and synthesize key insights from these engagements to inform the project’s next steps.
- Analyze administrative and survey data using R, Python, or Stata
- Preparing presentation materials, literature reviews, descriptions for meetings and grant proposals, power calculations, etc.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Engineering, or a related field
- Experience processing and analyzing data using software such as R, Python, Stata, or similar
- Fluency in English AND Spanish
Preferred
- Experience conducting qualitative fieldwork—such as interviews or focus groups—in rural or low-resource settings; ability to engage effectively in informal, exploratory conversations is a plus
- Strong interest in academic research related to economics and finance
Travel Requirements
The RA will travel to rural districts that are geographically remote from urban areas, where mobile or internet connectivity may be limited or unavailable.
Physical Requirements
Travel may involve long bus rides to reach field sites. The RA must be physically able to make these trips, walk long distances, and hold interviews with people. Previous experience with acclimatization to high altitude is desired.
Reports To
Research & Operations Manager
Location
Lima
Application Deadline
21 May
Application Link
About IPA
Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) is a research and policy nonprofit that discovers and advances what works to improve the lives of people living in poverty. IPA brings together researchers and decision-makers to design, rigorously evaluate, and refine these solutions and their applications, ensuring that the evidence created is used to improve the lives of people living in poverty. In recent decades, trillions of dollars have been spent on programs designed to reduce global poverty, but clear evidence of which programs succeed is rare, and when evidence does exist, decision-makers often do not know about it. IPA exists to bring together leading researchers and these decision-makers to ensure that the evidence we create leads to a tangible impact on the world. Since its founding in 2002, IPA has worked with over 600 leading academics to conduct over 1,000 evaluations in 52 countries. This research has informed hundreds of successful programs that now impact millions of individuals worldwide.
Safeguarding at IPA
At Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), we are committed to creating a safe and respectful environment for all individuals, particularly children and vulnerable adults. As IPA adheres to strict safeguarding principles, selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards. By joining IPA, you become part of a team dedicated to ethical conduct, social responsibility, and meaningful impact in the fight against global poverty. Together, we work to create a better world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive with dignity and respect.