Senior Specialist Prevention, Research and Innovation: Behavioural Science and Impact Evaluation

Organization Overview

The Basel Institute on Governance is a hands-on centre of competence dedicated to promoting good governance and countering corruption for a more peaceful, just and sustainable world. Established in 2003 in Basel, Switzerland, the Institute collaborates with partners worldwide to advance knowledge, practice, and policy in anti-corruption, asset recovery, and business integrity. With field operations globally, the organization employs approximately 150 staff members from 32 different nationalities and is an Associated Institute of the University of Basel.

Position Summary

We are looking for a behavioural scientist with exceptional quantitative skills to contribute to our Prevention, Research and Innovation (PRI) team. This role operates at the intersection of research and practice, focusing on the design of experiments and pilot anti-corruption interventions in various settings. The successful candidate will also spearhead rigorous impact evaluation methodologies, such as randomized controlled trials, along with conducting statistical analyses to generate robust evidence concerning the effectiveness of anti-corruption strategies.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with PRI team members and external partners on the design of behavioural experiments and pilot anti-corruption interventions.
• Lead the creation of rigorous impact evaluation methodologies, employing experimental methods and quasi-experimental designs when necessary.
• Conduct statistical analysis of experimental and survey data using advanced econometric and causal inference techniques.
• Design and implement behavioural experiments and surveys, including instrument development and sampling strategies.
• Manage databases and data infrastructure, ensuring compliance with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and data security protocols.
• Develop procedures and protocols for experimental activities and assist with ethics approval processes.
• Maintain technical infrastructure for experiments and surveys, providing organizational support for field activities.
• Contribute to the writing and publication of research outputs, including peer-reviewed articles, working papers, and policy briefs.
• Communicate findings effectively to a range of audiences, including practitioners and partner organizations.
• Engage actively with stakeholders throughout all research phases.
• Support wider PRI team activities related to research and project design and implementation.

Qualifications and Skills

• Graduate degree in behavioural science, experimental or behavioural economics, psychology, political science, statistics, or a related quantitative field; a PhD or equivalent professional experience is an advantage.
• Proven expertise in designing and implementing experimental impact evaluations.
• Strong statistical and econometric capabilities, particularly in causal inference, with proficiency in data analysis using R or Stata.
• Experience in designing and conducting behavioural experiments and surveys, with familiarity in standard experimental games and behavioural theories.
• Solid data management skills, with experience in research data risk management and GDPR compliance.
• Familiarity with programming platforms such as oTree, z-Tree, and Qualtrics.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills, with a strong potential for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Strong interpersonal skills, intellectual curiosity, and openness to engage with new research areas.
• Willingness and capability for international travel, including to challenging environments.

Work Environment

We offer an engaging and rewarding working environment characterized by a dynamic, proactive, and international team spirit. The position is intellectually stimulating and varied, allowing ample opportunity for initiative and innovation. Competitive salary packages are provided.