Events and Operations Associate – J-PAL North America Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab, MIT

Position description

J-PAL North America, an economics research center at MIT, is actively recruiting for an Events & Operations Associate. Working at J-PAL North America means being part of a vibrant, collaborative team of professionals who are committed to translating research into innovative policy solutions that are effective in reducing poverty. As a regional office of the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), J-PAL North America is part of a network of hundreds of researchers at universities around the world, including some of the world’s leading economics researchers.

J-PAL North America works closely with J-PAL’s global headquarters and six additional independent regional offices in Africa, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and North Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia to generate cutting-edge research, policy outreach, and training. This position is based on the MIT campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts and provides a hybrid work schedule with some days in the office and some days remote.

To learn more about our work and team culture, visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

As a member of the J-PAL North America team, you’ll be part of a Nobel‑prize winning scientific movement that can transform US policy making. The Events & Operations Associate reports to the Events Manager and works closely with J-PAL North America’s policy, research, and training staff to plan and execute a wide‑variety of inclusive in‑person, hybrid, and virtual events, meetings, and training programs aimed at promoting the production and use of rigorous evidence.

They also coordinate internal events, such as staff meetings and retreats, and staff social events. In addition, the Events & Operations Associate works closely with the Director of Finance & Operations to coordinate and track fundraising activities and support the effective operations of J‑PAL North America. For this position, we are looking for candidates with at least 2 years of event planning experience, excellent attention to detail, strong organizational, time‑management, and oral and written communication skills.

Experience in Salesforce, Asana, or other project management systems, is also preferred.

• Supports the planning and implementation of a broad range of inclusive external meetings and events, including large conferences and capacity building events involving high‑level participants from government, private, non‑profit, and academic sectors, as well as internal staff meetings, retreats, and social events.
• Supports planning and management of a full‑range of event logistics and operations, such as securing space, arranging for catering, managing AV, and more.
• Collaborates with researchers, partner organizations, and other special guests on content development, establishes timelines, and ensures deadlines are met.
• Assists with event website development and registration.
• Assists event participants with travel and visa requirements when needed.
• Prepares name tags, event materials, and supports presentation needs.
• Orders event supplies.
• Maintains databases of attendees and prepares reports.
• Assists with event budget planning, management, and reporting. Tracks and reconciles event budgets and secures approval for items outside of planned budgets.
• Serves as a main technical and logistical resource for events, and as a primary point of contact for event speakers/participants.
• Evaluates event staffing needs and guides day‑of‑event volunteers, staff, and vendors. Provides support with registration, note‑taking, and other administrative duties at events and troubleshoots any emerging problems on the event day.
• May occasionally need to travel and/or work early mornings, nights, or weekends to support events.

• Assists in the maintenance of organizational databases and systems for effective event planning, registration, budgeting, and reporting.
• Conducts data entry and clean‑up of contact and information management systems through the use of Salesforce and other platforms.
• Creates new documentation of event policies, processes, and work flows as needed.
• E…