Operational processes and administrative protocols to start a project with us

This guide outlines the procedures for hiring research positions supporting projects through the J-PAL LAC office. 

• Positions include Research Manager, Senior Research Associate, Research Associate, and Research Assistant. 

• Provides detailed descriptions of each position's role, qualifications, and responsibilities, and  salary brackets. 

• Guides through the hiring process and emphasizes the importance of understanding budget constraints.

Be aware that the entire process may take between six to eight weeks, and factors like response time and candidate availability can affect the timeline.

To request the hiring of your research staff, please use the following form here

Are you going to hire a firm to collect the data for your project? 

Make sure you check the following checklist to ensure that you choose a trustworthy and professional partner.

This is a detailed manual for the recruitment and selection of surveyors for remote data collection projects in Chile*. Remote call centers can be used for primary data collection, or for the promotion and adoption of an intervention. In this guide you will learn about the:

• How to determine the profile of surveyors for your project, including tasks, required skills, and work duration.

• Budget and scheme cost to promote high productivity and low turnout rates.

• Recruitment and selection process of surveyors, from launching the position and analyzing applications to conducting interviews and finalizing selection.

*For the rest of the region, we suggest hiring a surveying firm.

Based on our past experiences, this document provides insights and guidelines when selecting and working with surveying firms in the region. While there is no one-size-fits-all all projects, these guidelines can help to inform your decision criteria and choose a well-established surveying firm.

• Survey firm selection: Discusses the factors influencing the selection of data collection firms, including cost, flexibility, and prior experience.

• Cost variability: Highlights the significant variability in quotes from different firms and the rapid increase in costs over time, affecting budgeting for research projects.

• Lessons Learned and Areas of Opportunity: Share experiences and recommendations from past projects, highlighting the importance of early planning and effective communication during the hiring process.

This document collects the responses to the Exploratory Diagnosis of working with "Data Collection Firms in LAC" where the amin challenges and complexities in hiring data collection firms are explored.

• It reviews prices from the quotes received for different projects, and evaluates their cost variability. 

• It highlights feedback and learning opportunities that can enhance future outsourcing of this kind. 

Due to the sensitive nature of this content, if you wish to access this data, please request access to Olaf Oseguera.

Here you can find a list of the regional surveying firms, principally in  Chile, Brazil, Guatemala, and Mexico. This is a living document that is constantly updated.

If time permits, an open-bidding process can be useful for comparing firms on metrics such as cost and value-add. The different budget proposals can also show which items can be negotiated to improve cost efficiency.  

To weigh the strengths and weaknesses of each company objectively, it is advisable to create a set of parameters based on predetermined criteria. This process should include an initial budgetary review to seek which proposal gives the best value and is likely to deliver quality work. J-PAL's Survey Firm Assessment template is a table that summarizes and assesses how each company’s proposal addresses the needs of the study.