Job Opportunity: Research and Content Intern, Resilient Livelihoods and Ecosystems Program

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 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. 

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: Tunis, Tunisia.

Scope of Work:

Reporting to the Program Director and on a case-by-case basis to project managers, the Research and Content Intern will produce research and analysis in the fields of data, sustainable development, socio-economic impacts of COVID-19, agriculture and food systems, livelihoods, economic, social, and cultural rights, and others, as well as generate content for the project. Among others, primary activities for the Research and Content Intern include:

1. Qualitative Research and Analysis (40%)
  • Conduct literature reviews and background research on project and program-related topics and research questions, including but not limited to human development outcomes in various countries, impact of climate change on livelihoods and resilience strengthening, trends in conflict and security, inclusive social protection, etc. 
  • Develop qualitative research methodologies and data collection instruments. 
  • Conduct qualitative research, in the form of key informant interviews, focus group discussions and others, to respond to research objectives. 
  • Draft project documents, including reports, policy briefs and presentations, to communicate findings and evidence-based policy recommendations.
2. Quantitative Research and Analysis (40%)
  • Find, systematize and analyze secondary data related to the topics and research questions of interest. 
  • Support and assist the data science team on ad-hoc data collection and analyses of quantitative and qualitative data.
  • Develop quantitative data collection instruments. 
  • Develop data visualizations.

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 the support of the Communications Manager.
  • Develop and draft content on “Resilient Livelihoods and Ecosystems” program research and topics. 
  • Translate (French-English and/or Arabic-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.

  • Support Project Managers with other related tasks such as preparation of presentations, progress tracking, webinars and meeting organization.

Profile/Qualifications

  • Recent graduate of a master’s degree program (or student in the last semester of university) with a degree in International Development, Development Economics, Political Science, Public Administration and other related fields.
  • Demonstrated thematic experience and strong interest in topics and research at the intersection of data and international sustainable development, poverty reduction, climate change, sustainable food systems, and livelihoods.
  • Experience in qualitative and/or quantitative data collection methods and analysis.
  • Knowledge of impact evaluation, monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) frameworks.
  • Familiarity and experience with qualitative and quantitative research and analysis (especially if the candidate has proven knowledge of Stata, R, Python and/or N Vivo).
  • Excellent analytical skills demonstrated through the ability to break down high-level research questions and design logical steps to be able to answer them. 
  • Attention to detail in research and writing. 
  • Ability to work independently, manage time wisely, and meet deadlines
  • Ability to prioritize tasks among multiple projects, proactively communicate and coordinate with team members.
  • Fluent oral and written communication skills in English and French are required. Written and spoken fluency in Arabic is highly desirable. 
  • Ability to work with people from different cultural backgrounds.
  • Proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Remuneration: $500 USD (monthly) 

Recruitment Process:

Qualified candidates are requested to submit a CV, a cover letter (800 words max) with two academic or work references (all in English), and one writing sample (in English and French) to jobs@datapopalliance.org with the subject line “R2023003_Research and Content Intern_P3” by March 16, 2023 11.59 pm EST. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis so early application is strongly advised.

Please name each document you’ll submit with your name, the position and the type of document you are submitting, ie. FIRSTNAME LASTNAME_Position_CV.

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

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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