Senior Associate

Working at MIT

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Posting Description

SENIOR TRAINING ASSOCIATE, Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), to join a global research center working to reduce poverty by ensuring that policy is informed by scientific evidence. The Senior Associate will play a central role in launching and growing the Lighthouse Collaborative, a new initiative developed by J-PAL and The Agency Fund. The Collaborative seeks to help proven AI and other social-sector innovations move beyond pilots to strengthen public systems, thereby improving outcomes, equipping policymakers with better tools, and reaching millions of people. The Lighthouse Collaborative will bring together partners to identify and help massively scale high-impact NGOs / social enterprises in low- and middle-income countries. These “Lighthouses” will combine demonstrated impact and cost-effectiveness with strong learning systems and delivery models that can work through government. 

The full job description is available here.

Job Requirements

REQUIRED: A bachelor’s degree in economics, political science, education, international development, or other related fields; training in and a strong technical understanding of econometrics and/or randomized evaluations; a minimum of four years of relevant professional experience. Ideal candidates will have experience in one or more of the following: launching or scaling an early-stage social venture; working in or with nonprofits or social enterprises; building partnerships with governments, philanthropic donors, or multilateral institutions; managing complex initiatives in international development; supporting evidence-informed policy and scale; or working in a specific policy sector or cross-cutting area such as climate, gender, health, education, social protection, or AI for social good.

Commitment of three years preferred.

This position is based at the J-PAL Global office at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA.

Visa sponsorship is not available.

10/15/2026

Equal Employment Opportunity

MIT is an equal employment opportunity employer. We value diversity and strongly encourage applications from individuals from all identities and backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive equitable consideration for employment based on their experience and qualifications, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, or national or ethnic origin. See MIT's full policy on nondiscrimination. Know your rights.

MIT considers equivalent combinations of experience and education for certain jobs. All candidates who believe they possess equivalent experience and education are encouraged to apply.

Employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check.