985- Brazil- Fortaleza: Evaluating Public Innovation Pilots

The city of Fortaleza, Brazil is a participant in a global network of local governments that partner with the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation (BCPI) at Johns Hopkins to advance the practice of public innovation. Fortaleza is the fifth largest Brazilian city in terms of population (2.6M) with the highest GDP in northeast Brazil. Sectoral strengths include technology, aerospace, maritime industries, and design. Its density rivals that of New York City, and the metropolitan area is home to approximately 4M people across 19 municipalities. IPLANFOR is Fortaleza’s urban planning institute. Guided by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda, IPLANFOR focuses on reducing socioeconomic and spatial inequalities, emphasizing economic opportunity, sustainable urban development, climate adaptation, and advances in technology. IPLANFOR also serves as the city department charged with evaluating and monitoring the city’s public policies. The focus of this placement is to support IPLANFOR in developing rigorous evaluations of policies being piloted through the city’s new Innovation Law (INOVAFOR), which enables start-ups to propose and pilot innovation projects to address public policy problems. Selected start-ups receive R$1M (approx. U$200,000) to develop a pilot and, if the pilot is successful, they receive additional resources to scale the policy intervention.

The student will work with IPLANFOR staff to develop rigorous evaluations of the Innovation Law (INOVAFOR) pilot projects to determine whether they should receive additional support from the city to scale. Among the evaluation methodologies that the student will have an opportunity to explore are Randomized Control Trials (RCTs) of two policy pilots, the first involving cash transfers to women micro-entrepreneurs in the textile sector and the second involving public safety interventions in vulnerable neighborhoods with high rates of violence. The student will contribute substantially to the evaluation approach being developed by IPLANFOR for the policy pilots, including identifying selection criteria and data collection. The evaluation strategy also contemplates collecting qualitative data, such as interviewing beneficiaries of the cash transfer program.

Specific activities involve:

- Review of scientific literature on the types of policies being piloted
- Contribute to the evaluation design for pilots
- Contribute to data collection and analysis
- Develop recommendations for city leaders on the policy pilots evaluation approach

IPLANFOR, the city’s planning institute, includes among its initiatives the promotion of innovative projects to improve the effectiveness of public policies and that require the involvement of multiple sectors across local government and the private sector. It includes the city's data office, which aggregates data from several city departments and national research institutes. The staff is friendly and easygoing and the dress code in the office is casual, with occasional business casual events (no suits).

is a curious, energetic student who would like to collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team of data scientists, engineers, and social workers. Should be passionate about addressing public policy challenges and improving quality of life for vulnerable populations.

- Training in public policy evaluation methods;
- Data analysis skills;
- Prior experience with or willingness to learn design thinking;
- Excellent communication skills, including writing and speaking in clear, plain terms to reach multiple audiences;
- Curiosity and cultural humility;
- Ability to work independently and in teams.

Name: Francisca Rojas, Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation, franrojas@jhu.edu

I would describe my communication and mentorship styles as... As the Academic Director at the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins, I mentor students as a coach and advisor. I focus on setting expectations from both parties and agreeing on a style of communication and establishing regular check-ins. Through appreciative inquiry and active listening, I seek to understand what motivates the student, what we’re learning together, and how the mentor relationship can support their academic and professional ambitions.

A complementary student would have a working style and mentorship expectations that are...committed and clear, where they show initiative, work independently, ask questions, and openly share their progress and hurdles. I value authenticity, taking initiative, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.

Monthly estimate: 

$1400/month

Additonal support: As part of the BCPI Summer Scholars program, this placement provides a stipend for plus round-trip travel costs to Fortaleza.