IDinsight
We amplify social impact by partnering with leaders to develop tailored solutions. Our mission is to use data and evidence to help leaders combat poverty worldwide.
IDinsight is a mission-driven global advisory, data analytics, and research organization that helps global development leaders maximize their social impact. We tailor a wide range of data and evidence tools, including randomized evaluations and machine learning, to help decision-makers design effective programs and rigorously test what works to support communities. We work with governments, multilateral agencies, foundations, and innovative non-profit organizations in Asia and Africa. Our work spans a wide range of sectors, including agriculture, education, health, governance, sanitation, financial inclusion, and other areas.
We have expertise in a variety of rigorous approaches and methodologies, which we tailor to each client depending on their needs and constraints. To achieve a positive social impact we:
- Support clients’ use of data and evidence for routine and major decision-making.
- Inform funding decisions – toward high-impact initiatives and away from less effective programs or approaches.
- Create and share tools, knowledge, and ideas that expand the use of data and evidence for social good.
Our diverse, growing team of roughly 180 outstanding colleagues operates in nearly two dozen countries around the world. Learn more about our mission and values at www.IDinsight.org.
About the Associate & Senior Associate role
IDinsight Associates and Senior Associates are high-performing early-career professionals passionate about experiencing the front-line realities of evidence-informed decision-making. These roles provide a rich, varied experience with responsibilities ranging from in-depth research and analysis, data collection management, client interactions, and internal team building. We seek intellectually curious, resilient, and team-oriented individuals who – in addition to developing professional and technical skills – are highly motivated to grapple with the difficulties and unpredictability of trying to improve lives at scale.
Associates and Senior Associates are responsible for the following areas of work:
Managing Project Team Workflow, Systems, And Deliverables
- Driving the day-to-day execution of the project work according to project plans and leading internal coordination efforts for their team
- Conducting and supporting fit-for-decision and right-fit research design, data collection or acquisition, technical analysis, and results visualization/packaging, etc. for project tasks
- Creating client deliverables, including reports, slide decks, and oral presentations to inform decisions and actions of clients
- Developing strategic communications to build awareness of IDinsight projects and learnings, contribute to sectoral knowledge, and shift the sector towards more evidence-informed policy and practices
Supporting their team in developing strong client relationships
- Engaging with client and stakeholder relationships
- Contributing to client development, including developing proposals and concept notes
Leading data collection activities
- Overseeing all data collection activities to ensure quality, including managing data collection teams
- Traveling to project sites, IDinsight offices, embedded client locations, and other areas as per project needs
Contributing to internal team building
- Developing, piloting, and implementing internal systems or other organizational contributions (e.g., event management) for IDinsight, in coordination with functional teams such as Operations, Communications, Finance, etc.
- Contributing to office life and culture building, such as facilitating All Hands Meetings; participating in Social Cultural Committee events; and engaging with the DEI Working Group.
Examples of recent Associate and Senior Associate work streams include:
- Embedding in several African and Indian governments to support evidence-based decision-making capabilities
- Supporting household registration and post-distribution monitoring for the government’s COVID-19 Urban Cash Intervention response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Malawi
- Conducting remote, qualitative data collection to understand drivers and barriers to vaccine demand, and uncover possible approaches to better reach poor, rural adults with the Philippine Department of Health’s Bureau of Health Promotion Utilizing visual storytelling to lead Theory of Change workshops for an NGO-led digital menstrual health program for Senegalese young women and girls
Associates learn professional, technical and life skills while working on some of the world’s most critical problems. No two experiences are the same. Some work deeply on one project for their entire program commitment, while others work across a variety of projects. Workstreams can immerse Associates in remote, front-line program contexts, deep statistical analyses, and/or high-level, strategic interactions.
Associates and Senior Associates will be staffed on IDinsight projects according to various factors including organizational need, timeline and availability, team dynamics, skills optimization, and professional growth and development. While we aim to factor in individual preferences whenever possible to staffing decisions, they are one of many factors in the project staffing process.
Qualifications
IDinsight Associates and Senior Associates come from a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds, including economics, data science, policy research, development projects, and more. Given that no Associate or Senior Associate comes in with the same exact background as another, we’re typically looking for candidates with a broad range of qualifications and former experiences. Here are some examples of the key qualifications most successful candidates should possess:
Knowledge, skills, and abilities
- Strong analytical skills, with exposure to (either via professional work experience or academic coursework) the basics of econometrics, data and research analysis tools, and quantitative and qualitative research processes or an ability to quickly understand these topics.
- Strong writing skills with the ability to translate technical jargon into well-structured, writing-based deliverables (e.g., policy briefs, project memos, analytical reports, external blog posts, and more)
- Ability to understand complex concepts and topics quickly even with limited prior knowledge or exposure and a willingness to invest in learning new concepts, skills, and methods without being prompted
Behaviors and mindsets
- Highly organized, attentive to deadlines, and able to manage a high volume of work with efficiency
- Excellent interpersonal skills can effectively engage with stakeholders ranging from school children to senior government officials to internal colleagues and places a high value on being a team player
- Demonstrated ability to be a self-starter and fast learner; resourceful and resilient in the face of challenges
- Intellectually curious and a willingness to share your opinions with the team, question the status quo, and encourage others to expand their perspectives
Additional preferred qualifications
- Proficient in statistical analysis and data collection software, such as Stata, SPSS, R, SurveyCTO, and/or Open Data Kit
- Deeply passionate about combating poverty worldwide and improving lives in disadvantaged populations
- Willingness to travel for extended periods of time once COVID-19 allows, including to remote and rural areas
- Fluency in the local language(s) of country placement
Candidates will be evaluated for an Associate vs. Senior Associate role based on their qualifications, previous experiences, and performance in the hiring processes. Additionally, candidates may be considered for other available roles based on experience and qualifications.
Nuts & Bolts
Location: Lilongwe, Malawi
Work Authorization
We will prioritize candidates who do not require IDinsight to sponsor work authorization in Malawi. All candidates who are not currently located in our country offices listed above will be expected to relocate to their office locations at the onset of their employment.
Start Dates
Start dates for Associates and Senior Associates hired during this hiring process will fall between September- December 2022 with mutually agreed upon start dates based on candidate availability and preferences and IDinsight project needs.
Compensation & Benefits
Compensation and benefits are commensurate with the qualifications and experiences IDinsight is hiring for and competitive within the global development sector.
Method Of Application
Please submit the application via the IDinsight website. The application asks various questions in order for us to get to know you, and requires a CV and cover letter.
Please ensure that your CV includes relevant professional and personal experience as well as details on academic qualifications. CVs can range from one to two pages. Please note, headshot photographs, parental details, birth dates, marital status and other personal information not relevant to the application do not need to be included in your CV. Additionally, we strongly encourage you to use your cover letter to highlight why you want to work for IDinsight specifically and what has prepared you to succeed in the role you’re applying for. A customized cover letter is an important part of IDinsight’s recruiting process as it allows us to understand your motivations for the position, relevant skills, and clarity of writing.
If you’ve previously applied to an IDinsight Associate role, we encourage you to only reapply if you’ve gained additional relevant experience to strengthen your application since your previous application.