Research Associate

About the organization

Impact investing is one of the most important social innovations of our time, and interest in it is exploding. The Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN), founded in 2009 and backed by leading funders such as Ford Foundation, Omidyar Network, Prudential, The Rockefeller Foundation, and VISA Foundation, has a global network of 50,000 on six continents and a formal membership of over 400 impact investing organizations in 50+ countries. The GIIN works to mobilize a global community of leading financial institutions and others to dramatically increase the amount of capital being deployed to effective solutions to social and environmental challenges around the world. To learn more about the work we do and impact investing, please visit https://thegiin.org

About the position

The GIIN is widely recognized for providing high-quality practitioner-oriented insights into the impact investing market and state of practice, helping to bridge critical knowledge gaps facing actors across the ecosystem. Key research themes include market activity and trends, financial and impact performance, and impact measurement and management. The GIIN conducts both qualitative and quantitative research using primary and secondary data collection methods. We are currently seeking a full-time Research Associate to join the Research team to execute high-quality mixed methods research.

The Research Associate will execute on discrete portions of research projects and data analytics, contributing substantially to the team’s work in quantitative and qualitative analysis in its market research environment. The main focus of the role includes:

• Project managing a specific area of research within a larger research project or short research projects
• Conducting quantitative and regression analysis using Excel, R or Python, and SQL to draw numerical comparisons and statistical inferences related to impact performance data; developing and applying methodologies to the development of impact performance infrastructure with high utility for impact investors
• Supporting the design, implementation, and analysis of the GIIN’s annual survey of investors, including supporting survey development, data collection, quality assurance, and synthesis of findings into flagship research outputs
• Building data visualizations through Tableau, Excel, and R to convey research findings in digestible, interactive ways
• Structuring and cleaning datasets relating to impact investing practice and performance.
• Synthesizing findings from interviews, focus group, and other qualitative data to generate actionable market insights
• Conducting desk research on impact investing topics to support research projects, to motivate for a research proposal, and to develop into a research deliverable
• Supporting the production of additional research products and collateral (e.g. short research briefs on the drivers of impact performance or how institutional asset owners approach impact)

Additional elements of the role could include:

• Interviewing impact investors and other stakeholders, and producing synthesized findings for qualitative research, case studies, and/or spotlights
• Developing slide decks, research factsheets, one-pager overviews, and other dissemination materials to share research findings externally

Qualifications

The Research Associate must be genuinely excited by the power of data and rigorous evidence – and the role that it can play in helping impact investors make more informed decisions. This means an analytical, organized, resourceful, and responsible individual with a high degree of professionalism. The Research Associate must also be adaptive, collaborative, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will have an interest in impact investing and demonstrated quantitative research experience.

Requirements:

• Undergraduate degree in related field (e.g. Mathematics, Data Science, Economics, Statistics, Finance, Political Science, International Development, Sociology, Psychology, Behavioral Science)
• Strong conviction that investment capital can effectively address social and environmental challenges
• Strong belief in the promise of data-driven and evidence-based decision-making to increase the scale and effectiveness of impact investing
• Demonstrated knowledge of statistical methods and research design, with the ability to generate reliable insights from quantitative data
• Strong quantitative analysis skills in Microsoft Excel, R, SQL, and Tableau
• Strong writing skills, including ability to deduce, synthesize and effectively communicate complex ideas
• Strong critical and creative thinking skills; a proactive approach to solving problems
• Genuine curiosity and a strong learning orientation
• Interest in the world of investing and capital markets
• Ability to work both collaboratively and independently
• Detail-oriented, with high standards of performance
• Fluent in Microsoft Office Suite
• Personable, engaging presence, with diplomacy, tact, and good humor
• Commitment to human dignity, justice, equality, and respect. The GIIN considers the values of human dignity, equality, justice and respect to be central to the work it does as a champion of impact investing. The GIIN believes that upholding these ideals is a global imperative and is an essential purpose of impact investing. While the challenges associated with these values are experienced differently across cultures, nations, and societies, they are fundamental to a shared human experience and the building of strong communities, a healthy world, and a sustainable future for all people. Successful candidates will be committed to continuous learning about human dignity, justice, equality, and respect and how to manifest these principles in the workplace.

Location

This position will be based in our New York City office with significant remote work flexibility offered through the GIIN’s hybrid in-person/remote work model. Candidates must possess valid authorization to work in the United States that does not require employment visa sponsorship.

Compensation

The GIIN is committed to pay equity. The salary range for this role is between $48,000- $60,000, with exact salary depending on experience, with an excellent benefits package.

We aim to offer competitive salaries and benefits and are committed to equality, trust, and consistency in compensation. Basing compensation on someone’s willingness and ability to negotiate or on their prior salary can lead to unfair outcomes in how people are paid, particularly for individuals experiencing barriers. Therefore, we do not ask for prior pay history from our candidates and our offer-making process is negotiation-free for salaries and benefits.

To apply

Please apply with your CV here.

The GIIN is an Equal Opportunity Employer.