RESEARCH AND CONTENT INTERN

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Data-Pop Alliance (DPA) is looking for a Research and Content Intern. We are an international nonprofit created in 2013 out of the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative (HHI), the MIT Media Lab and ODI. We bring together researchers, experts, practitioners, and activists to change the world with data through three pillars of work: diagnosing local realities and human problems with data and AI; mobilizing capacities, communities, and ideas towards more data-literate societies; and transforming the systems and processes that underpin our societies and countries.

DPA has partnered with and received funding from organizations such as the Inter-American Development Bank, UNDP, FAO, UN ESCWA, UN Women, UNFPA, GIZ (German development agency), the Vodafone Institute, Oxfam México and other key international stakeholders to develop projects in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), the Middle-East and North Africa (MENA), and South Asia. To learn more about DPA, please consult our website and our “Overview and Outlook 2022-2024” report.

DPA’s projects are managed and carried out by a core team of about 22 people, including Directors, Managers, Officers, Data Scientists, Research Assistants, and Interns.

Dates: 3 months, full-time

Location: Remote

Reporting to Program Directors and Project Managers, the Research and Content Intern will have the opportunity to collaborate on projects with international partner organizations and contribute to research across a range of topics critical to the sustainable development field. These include gender equality, environmental sustainability, poverty reduction and social inclusion, urban inclusivity, food security, disaster risk reduction, digital tools and data for sustainability, among others. Key responsibilities for the Research and Content Intern include:

Scope of Work

1. Qualitative and Quantitative Research (95%)

• Assist Project Manager(s) in designing research methodologies and frameworks, including sampling strategies, survey design, and qualitative data collection techniques, such as interviews and focus groups.
• Conduct literature reviews and gather relevant data from reputable sources, including academic publications, reports, policy briefs, databases, among others.
• Collaborate with team members to develop data collection instruments, including surveys and interview guides.
• Conduct primary and secondary data collection through surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions with relevant stakeholders.
• Organize and manage collected data efficiently using appropriate software tools, such as Excel, Google Sheets, SPSS, Stata, R, Python, and/or MAXQDA..
• Perform quantitative and qualitative data analysis to extract meaningful insights, identify trends, and support evidence-based conclusions.
• Contribute to the preparation of comprehensive research reports, briefs, and summaries, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and alignment with DPA standards.
• Collaborate with team members to develop visually engaging presentations and infographics to communicate research findings effectively.
• Assist in drafting articles, blog posts, and other content pieces for publication on DPA’s website and external platforms (if applicable).
• Collaborate closely with team members to ensure timely completion of research milestones and deliverables.
• Provide administrative support in organizing meetings, maintaining project documentation, and tracking progress.
• Actively contribute to team discussions, sharing insights, and proposing innovative ideas for advancing research objectives.
• Carry out operational research tasks related to DPA’s Thematic Program.

1. Other tasks and duties as required (5%)

Profile/Qualifications

• Recent graduate or final-year university student with a degree in International Development, Political Science, Economics, or a related social science field. A Master’s degree is a plus.
• Strong interest in research within the field of international development, proven by previous academic projects, or volunteer work of professional experience.
• Proficiency in qualitative and quantitative research methods and analysis.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and French (fluency in Spanish, Portuguese, and/or Arabic is a plus).
• Ability to work with people from different cultural backgrounds.
• Highly proactive, analytical and organized.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and remote productivity tools (Drive, Slack, Zoom, etc.).
• Comfortable with remote teams and processes.

Candidates should be able to work independently, manage their time wisely, and meet deadlines. They should be detail-focused, reliable, professional, and possess strong research, writing, editing, and analysis skills, as well as excellent communication, and interpersonal skills.