Job Opportunity: Research and Content Intern, Just Digital Transformations

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

Data-Pop Alliance is looking for a Research and Content Intern to join our Just Digital Transformations 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. 

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 41 people, including Directors, Managers, Officers, Data Scientists, Research Assistants, and Interns.

Dates: 3 months, full-time. 

Location: Preferably between UTC -1 to UTC +4 time zones.

Work Modality: Remote.

Scope of Work

The Research Intern will produce research in the fields of digital transformation, ethical data use, and evaluation of public policy. The intern will report to a Project Manager in Germany and Technical Manager in the UAE. Amongst others, primary activities for the Research and Content Intern include:

1. Qualitative Research (40%)
  • Complete research tasks as assigned, such as conducting literature reviews and background research; finding, organizing, and analyzing qualitative data; and preparing memos, briefs, reports, and presentations on a variety of topics, including the responsible use of technology, digitalization for sustainable development, national and institutional digital strategies, among other Data4Development topics. This may include reading and summarizing external studies and reports related to our work, including best practices and current trends in Data4Development, as well as the use of AI and Big Data in the international development field. 
  • Edit, revise and suggest revisions for ongoing research and project documentation.
  • Support the evaluation, analysis and review of policies, legal frameworks, including human rights frameworks, and strategies for the ethical development of digital transformation strategies and identify good practices and shortcomings. Support the assessment of the status of ratification of international treaties related to gender equality and their incorporation into domestic law and to what extent gender has been mainstreamed in national policies and plans.
  •  
2. Quantitative Research (40%)
  • Support the Data Science team to gather, examine and analyze digital economy data. 
  • Support the Project Manager and Officers and collaborate with Government Officials, National Statistics Offices and International Organizations in gathering and analyzing relevant data.

3. Content Creation (20%) 

  • With assistance from our staff, create content based on interviews and outreach with our current network of researchers and experts to be published on our blog and shared on social media.
  • Propose and write content for the blog and newsletter on a periodic basis, with support of the Communications Manager.
  • Translate (Spanish-English or French-English) project documentation (including reports, articles, blogs) when necessary.

4. Participate in meetings with other DPA researchers.

5. Other tasks and duties as required.

Profile/Qualifications

Qualified candidates are:

  • Recent graduate (or student in last semester of university) with a degree in International Relations, Public Policy, Political Science, Economics, or other social science fields. 
  • Knowledge of digitalization for sustainable development.
  • Strong interest and first experience in impact and strategic evaluation of public policy. 
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills in English (fluent), Arabic (desirable), French (desirable), or Spanish (desirable). 
  • Ability to work with people from different cultural backgrounds.
  • Ability to multitask, while being proactive, analytical, and organized.
  • Familiarity and experience with qualitative and quantitative research and analysis (proven knowledge of either R, Python, and/or STATA is desired).
  • Strong computer skills, including proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, PowerBi). 
  • 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.

Remuneration: $500 USD (monthly) 

Recruitment Process

Qualified candidates are requested to submit a CV (one page), a cover letter (800 words max), and one writing sample (2 pages max, in English) to jobs@datapopalliance.org with the subject line “R2023001_Research and Content Intern_P1” by March 8, 2023 (EST). Applications will be considered on a rolling basis so early application is strongly advised. 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.

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