Data-Pop Alliance (DPA) is looking for a Computational Social Science Intern with skills at the intersection of data science and development policy analysis. DPA is 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 organizations such as the Inter-American Development Bank, UNDP, UN ESCWA, GIZ (German development agency), the Vodafone Institute, Oxfam México and other key international stakeholders to develop projects in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, the MENA region and Asia. We have also deployed over 20 workshops in 14 different countries. To learn more about DPA, please visit our website or read our 2021-2023 Annual Report here.
Dates: Immediate start; 3 months, full-time.
Location: Remote; ideally between GMT -1 and +3 for compatibility with the team.
Scope of Work
The Computational Social Science Intern will report and work closely with the Research Director and two Data Science Managers. Amongst others, primary activities for the Computational Social Scientist Intern include:
| 1.Research (50%) |
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| 2. Programming (50%) |
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Profile/Qualifications
- MSc/MA in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Data Science, or any other related field is required. A Bachelor’s degree in computer science, statistics, or related field is a plus.
- Highly proficient and experienced in programming languages and statistical computing skills, that is, fluency in Python or R, amongst others.
- Strong knowledge of quantitative and qualitative impact evaluation methods and techniques
- Proven experience with natural language processing algorithms.
- Bilingual proficiency in English and French is requisite (able to write and deliver conferences, reports, etc in both languages). Arabic or Spanish are highly desirable.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- A self-starter, disciplined, driven, eager to learn, grow, and make an impact.
- Successful experience working in a multicultural environment with partners and people of different backgrounds and levels of seniority.
- Availability to travel (only if necessary and according to the current COVID-19 situation).
- Working experience applying data science to social science research and/or development field is highly desirable.
- Experience working with public, international agencies / donors, and/or non-profit is desirable, with a focus on “data for social good” initiatives and projects.
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.
Remuneration
500 USD per month
Recruitment process
Qualified candidates are requested to submit a CV, a cover letter with two academic or work references (all in English) to jobs@datapopalliance.org with the subject line “Computational Social Science Intern” by August 9 at 6:00pm EST.
Please be aware that any submission that does not comply with the requirements will not be considered. Also, rename each document you’ll submit with your name, the position and the type of document you are submitting. Ie. FIRST NAME_LAST NAME_Computational Social Science_CV
Please note that only complete applications submitted in English will be considered.
Equal opportunity
Data-Pop Alliance employs personnel without regard to race, ancestry, place of origin, color, ethnic origin, language, citizenship, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, physical and/or mental handicap or financial ability. While remaining alert and sensitive to the issue of fair and equitable treatment for all, Data-Pop Alliance has a special concern with the participation and advancement of members of four designated groups that have traditionally been disadvantaged in employment: women, visible minorities, aboriginal peoples and persons with disabilities.
