Please kindly read the entire job posting. Application instructions are located at the end.

Data-Pop Alliance is looking for a Project and Research Manager for the Resilient Livelihoods And Ecosystems Program. 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. Resilient Livelihoods and Ecosystems program focuses on researching and evaluating the impacts of polycrises, including climate change, on the livelihoods of the populations by leveraging mixed-methods data collection and analyses, evaluations, AI-based modeling, and participatory approaches.

DPA has partnered with and received funding from organizations such as the Inter-American Development Bank, UNDP, FAO, UN ESCWA, 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 Asia. To learn more about DPA, please visit our website or read our “Outlook and Overview” annual reports for 2019-20, 2020-22 and 2021-23. 

DPA’s projects are managed and carried out by a core team of about 26 people, including Directors, Managers, Officers, Data Scientists, Research Assistants, and Interns.

Dates: Start date ASAP with a trial contract of 3 months to be followed by longer-term contract depending on mutual fit.

Location: Remote, preferably based in SSA or MENA

Scope of Work

The Project and Research Manager – Resilient Livelihoods And Ecosystems Program will be supported by Project Officers and program staff, and report to the Program Director. He, she or they will:

Project Management (40%)

• • Ensure the coordination, project management, and communication between the DPA team and all external parties involved in the project(s).
  • Prepare regular project meeting updates and presentations, memos and notes. 
  • Coordinate the efforts of the DPA team in the development and delivery of the project deliverables within the project timeline.
  • Remain up to date on the progress of all projects under the Program in direct collaboration with the Program Director. 

Research (40%)

• • Conduct research on the topics relevant to the active ongoing projects. 
  • Develop the project research strategy and manage the research team tasks. 
  • Develop the necessary data collection instruments and analyses.
  • Program Fundraising (15%):
  • Active participation in the fundraising process including:
  • Reviewing relevant CFP TORs
  • Assessing the suitability of potential projects
  • Contributing to writing methodologies and proposals

Other tasks as required (5%)

Profile/Qualifications

• At least 3 years of relevant professional experience in project management in the development or humanitarian contexts.  
• Master’s degree in international development, development economics, public policy analysis, public administration, governance and peacebuilding or another related field.
• Proven experience and knowledge of topics in the sustainable development field, resilience and livelihoods, including but not limited to poverty alleviation, food systems, agricultural and rural development, social protection, impact evaluation, and other relevant topics. 
• Proven experience in the project management cycle, team management and participatory planning methodologies.
• Knowledge and familiarity with quantitative and qualitative research methods, including data collection instrument design, implementation, data analysis and visualization. 
• Excellent research, writing, editing, and analysis skills.
• Knowledge and ability to work with quantitative and qualitative data analysis software, such as R, STATA, Nvivo, MaxQDA and/or others. 
• Excellent knowledge of the Microsoft Office package and Google Workspace applications (Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc).  
• Familiarity with team communications and project management softwares (Slack, Asana or similar). 
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English and French required (Arabic fluency is also highly desirable).
• Proven experience leading administrative processes, managing project timelines, budgets and delivery, and ability to prioritize tasks.
• Proven leadership ability, including the ability to motivate and develop skills of others.
• Excellent organizational skills and proven ability to work in fast-paced dynamic work environments.
• Proven ability to engage with senior public officials. 
• Experience working with grants, managing relationships with donors, and writing proposals. 
• Ability to work with people from different cultural backgrounds.
• High interpersonal, communication, problem-solving and adaptability skills.

Remuneration and Benefits

Competitive salary commensurate with experience, within organization-wide salary norms. DPA team members get 25 days of paid leave per year, accruable monthly. Sick days and personal days are also available.

Recruitment Process

Qualified candidates are requested to submit a CV and a cover letter with two academic or work references to jobs@datapopalliance.org with the subject line “R2023012_PM Application” by December 20, 2023 at 6:00 pm EST. Candidates will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early application is strongly encouraged.

Please note that only complete applications submitted entirely in English will be considered. Due to the large volume of applications, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.