Research Fellow / Research Officer (Part-Time, Remote)

The World Disaster Center (WDC) is building a next-generation global risk intelligence system to better understand, anticipate, and respond to disasters worldwide.

We are seeking a highly capable Research Fellow / Research Officer to transform complex global events into structured, actionable intelligence that directly feeds into our systems, tools, and partnerships.

This is a high-execution role, not an academic position.

Core Responsibilities

• Produce structured research on global risks, disasters, and fragile regions
• Develop country and regional risk profiles
• Design and define indicators (risk, response, predictive metrics)
• Build and maintain clean, structured datasets
• Conduct policy and institutional analysis
• Develop partner intelligence briefs (NGOs, governments, donors)
• Support crisis mapping and pattern identification
• Contribute to proposal writing and funding applications
• Conduct assessments and support capacity-building initiatives
• Produce clear, actionable insights (not theoretical outputs)

Expected Outputs

• Weekly research briefs (1–3 pages)
• Situation Reports (SitReps)
• Structured datasets and data sheets
• Indicator frameworks and definitions
• Comparative country/crisis analyses
• Predictive insight notes
• High-quality source documentation

Required Profile

• Master’s degree (MSc or equivalent) in a relevant field
• (e.g., Economics, International Relations, Public Policy, Data, Development, Humanitarian Studies)
• Proven track record in applied research and analysis
• Experience in proposal writing, reporting, and assessments
• Experience with capacity building and programmatic work
• Strong analytical and synthesis skills
• Ability to structure complex information clearly and quickly
• Experience working with European-funded projects is strongly preferred
• Fluency in English (required)
• Additional fluency in French and/or Spanish (strongly preferred)
• Must be legally authorized to work (no OPT dependency)

Tools & Skills

• Strong data structuring (Excel or equivalent tools)
• Research methodology (qualitative + quantitative)
• Fast synthesis and clarity of thought
• Ability to translate research into operational insights

What This Role Is NOT

• Not academic or theoretical research
• Not long-form papers or publications
• Not slow or open-ended analysis
• Not a strategy-only or advisory role
• Not a revenue-generating role

What You Will Work On

• Building WDC’s global risk intelligence system
• Defining critical data inputs for platform development
• Translating research into product features and insights
• Supporting partnerships and operational decision-making
• Identifying high-risk, high-impact regions globally