J-PAL | A conversation on jobs and opportunity: Growing evidence, new directions and pathways to scale

The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) convenes a day of facilitated conversations and panel discussions reflecting on the work of J-PAL’s Jobs and Opportunity Initiative (JOI) in London on 24 February 2023.

The day begins with a facilitated conversation led by J-PAL sector chairs Marianne Bertrand and David Atkin to take stock of recent evidence on labour market policies and job creation, including lessons learned through JOI’s first three years and its funded research projects.

The panel features leading economists and researchers sharing their ongoing work evaluating strategies on how to improve employment outcomes, with a focus on skills training and job search in sub-Saharan Africa.

The agenda also includes a session led by Edivaldo Constantino, J-PAL Latin America and the Caribbean's JOI Brazil manager, with a focus on the JOI's unique model for incubating projects and promoting economic opportunity, as well as J-PAL’s African Scholars Programme's lead researchers Edward Asiedu and Nkechi Owoo.

The day closes with a second facilitated conversation with donor organisations focused on future challenges and opportunities for economic inclusion and job creation, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

J-PAL’s JOI funds randomised evaluations of strategies to improve employment outcomes. JOI aims to generate a body of policy-relevant rigorous research that addresses pressing labor market challenges. Knowledge gaps include questions about supply and matching, job creation and the future of jobs.