Qureos Mentor

CERP | Evidence Matters

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 About CERP:
 
 
 
 The Centre for Economic Research in Pakistan, or CERP, is a leading independent nonpartisan policy institution focused on improving decision-making in Pakistan through evidence-informed research, engaging with policy counterparts with real policy challenges and designing and advising on high-impact reforms based on data. At CERP, we also deploy cutting-edge pedagogy tailored for Pakistan and provide data insights to the private sector on product and process design.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 About Project
 
 :
 
 
 Economic growth in developing countries is often constrained by weak tax administration. Property tax revenues, crucial for financing public goods, are typically undermined by outdated valuation systems and high discretion in assessments.
 
 
 
 
 
 This project addresses these challenges by:
 
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 Developing a computer vision algorithm that predicts property assessments using property images.
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 Testing algorithm effectiveness through a &ldquo;human vs. machine&rdquo; randomized controlled trial (RCT), comparing traditional tax official judgment against algorithm-driven recommendations.
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 The project involves two components:
 
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 Algorithm Development: Improving and validating a computer vision algorithm that integrates property image data (collected in 2013 by the Excise &amp; Taxation Department and managed by the Urban Unit) with geo-referenced survey data on property characteristics.
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 RCT Implementation: Partnering with the Excise &amp; Taxation Department and Urban Unit to test the algorithm&rsquo;s ability to reduce misclassification and improve revenue collection compared to status quo methods.
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 Role Overview:
 
 
 
 This is a full-time, Lahore-based position requiring a self-driven, resourceful individual who can thrive in small, high-performing teams. The role demands initiative, accountability, and the ability to take on challenges with minimal supervision while delivering high-quality outputs.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Job Responsibilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 1. Strategic Responsibilities
 
 
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 Take end-to-end ownership of project rollout and execution, ensuring all activities are delivered on schedule and aligned with project objectives.
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 Develop and maintain detailed project plans, work breakdown structures, and timelines, tracking progress against milestones and deliverables.
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 Proactively identify risks, bottlenecks, and dependencies, and lead their timely resolution to keep the project running smoothly without disruption.
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 Coordinate across research, field, technical, and stakeholder teams to ensure activities stay sequenced, resourced, and on track.
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 Monitor budget, resources, and timelines, escalating issues to Principal Investigators with proposed solutions where needed.
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 Drive accountability across the team, ensuring commitments are met, and corrective action is taken when timelines or quality are at risk.
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 2. Project &amp; Stakeholder Management
 
 
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 Liaise with key government partners, including the Government of Punjab Excise, Taxation &amp; Narcotics Control (ET&amp;NC) Department, the Urban Unit, Finance Department, and Planning and Development Department.
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 Maintain regular communication, streamline approvals, and manage stakeholder relationships.
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 Draft letters, reports, presentations, and minutes for stakeholders while ensuring accurate documentation.
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 Provide technical and operational troubleshooting support to stakeholders.
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 Providing access to the datasets from the relevant departments.
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 3. Technical &amp; Functional Expertise
 
 
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 Design and develop survey instruments, mobile applications, and dashboards to support data collection, real-time monitoring, and reporting.
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 Manage, clean, and analyze large datasets to ensure data accuracy and reliability.
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 Monitor data quality on an ongoing basis through dashboards, automated flags, and high-frequency checks, and conduct back-checks and spot audits to verify accuracy during fieldwork.
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 Pilot research design and survey instruments, troubleshoot field issues, and train field assistants on data collection and quality protocols.
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 Draft project updates and progress reports for PIs.
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 4. Operational Responsibilities
 
 
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 Oversee end-to-end implementation of the RCT, ensuring strict adherence to approved research protocols, data integrity, and ethical standards throughout fieldwork.
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 Oversee survey and administrative data collection exercises in consultation with PIs.
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 Manage field operations, including surveyor training, implementation strategy, and field spot checks.
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 Develop and enforce implementation protocols, guidelines, and targets for field teams.
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 Conduct training and review sessions to ensure field team alignment with project goals.
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 Travel across Lahore for pilot testing, monitoring, and data collection as required.
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 Qualifications &amp; Experience
 
 
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 Bachelor&rsquo;s or Master&rsquo;s degree in Economics, Political Science, Public Policy, or related disciplines.
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 3&ndash;5 years of relevant experience in research/program design, survey execution, or evaluation.
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 Experience with large dataset management, quality checks, and data presentation.
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 Familiarity with programming languages (Stata, R, Python) and willingness to learn quickly.
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 Experience in managing fieldwork in urban and peri-urban areas.
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</div>

Project Manager - Computer Vision Project

<div>
 
 
 About CERP
 
 
 
 The Centre for Economic Research in Pakistan, or CERP, is a leading independent nonpartisan policy institution focused on improving decision-making in Pakistan through evidence-informed research, engaging with policy counterparts with real policy challenges, and designing and advising on high-impact reforms based on data. At CERP, we also deploy cutting-edge pedagogy tailored for Pakistan and provide data insights to the private sector on product and process design.
 
 
 
 About Project
 
 
 
 CERP Research Development develops and supports CERP&rsquo;s portfolio of research projects through collaboration with academia, funders, research partners, and government departments. It assists CERP&rsquo;s Research Fellows (faculty and experts based in international and Pakistani universities and multilateral organizations) in starting and managing new research studies hosted at CERP. The Research Development team also conducts research and scoping studies in partnership with CERP Research Fellows. It is involved in organizing international and local academic conferences and dissemination initiatives to share the learnings from CERP-affiliated studies and researchers with policymakers and the public at large.
 
 
 CERP Research Development is partnering with Princeton University&rsquo;s Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment to develop a new research initiative, Pakistan Energy Sustainability Pathways Project (Net-Zero Pakistan). This rigorous research will be accompanied by consistent coordination with policymakers and stakeholders in Pakistan&rsquo;s energy and economic space, aiming to provide them with a transparent, rigorous, and holistic analysis to explore economy-wide pathways to net-zero greenhouse gases for Pakistan. The project will analyze such pathways&rsquo; impacts on the country's resources, infrastructure, and socio-economic aspects, all the while ensuring that Pakistan achieves its economic growth and development objectives. It will provide spatial and temporal granularity to understand the infrastructure build-out, land use changes, investment required, employment dynamics, and socio-economic outcomes at the industry/sector and community level.
 
 
 The project&rsquo;s Principal Investigators are Chris Greig (Senior Research Scientist, Andlinger Center, Princeton University), Maroof Ali Syed (CEO, CERP), and Syed Uzair Junaid (Director, Research Development).
 
 
 The project is planned to continue till December 2028, with its scoping phase completing by December 31, 2026.
 
 
 
 Role Overview
 
 
 
 The Postdoctoral Researcher will manage and serve as the in-country technical lead for CERP&rsquo;s Net-Zero Pakistan Project, which will build on Princeton University&rsquo;s impactful Net-Zero America (NZA) study that developed granular spatial, temporal, sectoral, technological, and socio-economic analyses to describe different energy-system transition pathways for Pakistan to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. This project aims to inform the country&rsquo;s energy, decarbonization, and economic policymaking for the coming decades.
 
 
 The Postdoctoral Researcher will report to and work closely with the Principal Investigators mentioned above, ensuring that the study plans are executed in a timely and effective manner. He/She will be the technical lead for the in-country team and manage the overall research operations of the project. He/She will liaise with partners, funders, and stakeholders, and supervise other team members on the project.
 
 
 The Postdoctoral Researcher will initially be hired for the project&rsquo;s scoping phase (from April 1 to December 31, 2026) with a strong possibility of extension until the project&rsquo;s completion (December 2028), subject to funding availability and performance.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Job Responsibilitie
 
 
 
 
 s1. Strategic Responsibilitie
 
 
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 sCollaborate with the PIs, Steering Committee, and the Advisory Committee in developing and executing the study plans
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 .Assist the PIs in fundraising efforts for the Net-Zero Pakistan study, including grant writing, outreach to potential funders, and manage contracting activities
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 .Assist CERP Management and CERP Research Development in developing new projects and initiatives (e.g. grant writing, fundraising, etc.) and in conducting studies beyond the Net-Zero Pakistan project
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 .
 
 2. Project &amp; Stakeholder Managemen
 
 
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 tManage the overall research operations of the Net-Zero Pakistan Project. Ensure the project&rsquo;s milestones are achieved as per plan and schedule
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 .Develop and maintain strong relationships with research partners, government departments, policymakers, external stakeholders, and teams within the project partner institutes (CERP, Princeton University)
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 .Coordinate approvals, documentation, and MoUs with partner departments, especially those related to data sharing. Organize meetings, negotiations, and engagements with stakeholders
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 .Work with CERP teams to organize project events, such as dissemination and feedback sessions / workshops with stakeholders to share results and gather feedback
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 .Provide periodic progress updates to the PIs, Steering Committee, and the Advisory Committee
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 .Supervise the activities of, and mentor the project team members (Research and Policy Associates)
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 .Oversee the project&rsquo;s grant and budget management along with CERP Finance
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 .3
 
 . Technical &amp; Operational Expertis
 
 
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 eComplete the scoping phase of the project which entails an academic literature review of prior relevant studies of Pakistan and identifying, gaining access to, and compiling datasets needed for subsequent modelling
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 .Develop a deep understanding of the model/s used for Net-Zero America and current Net-Zero projects through the modelling trainings provided by the Andlinger Center team
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 .Develop the project&rsquo;s 'Methods, Assumptions, Scenarios and Sensitivities (MASS) Report' which provides a complete summary of input assumptions and methods for the study
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 .Adapt the Net-Zero America&rsquo;s model to the context of the Net-Zero Pakistan study, in collaboration with the Andlinger Center team
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 .Run and iterate the models related to all main components of the study: demand projection, demand-side technology, supply-side cost minimization, and downscaling analysis
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 .Oversee the collection, coding, cleaning, and compilation of various data resources in preparation for modeling and analyses
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 .Develop the study&rsquo;s deliverables and knowledge products, along with the PIs
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 .Travel within Pakistan for stakeholder meetings, consultations, and interviews
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 .Oversee the maintenance of comprehensive documentation of research processes, protocols, and methodologies
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 .Perform additional tasks as assigned by the Principal Investigators, CERP Research Development, or CERP Management
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 .Other Duties: This is NOT an exhaustive list of tasks that you will be performing as a Postdoctoral Researcher. You may be assigned additional tasks on other CERP initiatives and projects as deemed necessary by your reporting points, Program or CERP management, or the CERP Board
 
 
 
 .Entry Requirement
 
 
 
 
 s 1. Qualifications &amp; Experienc
 
 
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 eDoctoral (PhD) degree in economics, applied mathematics, engineering, public policy, or another relevant field
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 .0-5 years of postgraduate experience in a relevant field. Preference will be given to experienced candidates
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 .Required Skills
 
 
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 :Demonstrated experience of conducting rigorous research that involves modelling
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 .Strong programming skills (using common languages, such as Python, Julia, etc.) for modelling, data cleaning, analysis, and visualization
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 .Experience with managing, processing and analyzing large datasets
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 .Strong scientific writing and presentation skills, and interest in and experience of publishing in leading academic journals
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 .Preferred Skills
 
 
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 :Experience in as many of the following areas as possible
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 :Energy-system transition modelin
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 gLinear and mixed integer optimization programming
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 ,Energy-related techno-economic assessmen
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 tIntegration of country-specific data for economy-wide energy system decarbonization model
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 sGeospatial modeling methods and tool
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 sDomain knowledge in energy systems analysis, power systems, renewable energy grid integration, and energy-using technologies and processes in transport, buildings, and industry sectors
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 .Experience of working on projects that involve collaboration with multiple stakeholders and partner
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 sStrong interpersonal skills to effectively manage research team
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 </ul>
 
 
 
 s
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Postdoctoral Researcher

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CERP | Evidence Matters

About Company

Project Manager - Computer Vision Project

Postdoctoral Researcher