GIST is currently not actively hiring for this role but please submit your CV and cover letter if you're interested in a role in the future.

Research & insight manager

location

Anywhere within +\- 3 hours of GMT (fully remote)

contract

Part-time and full -time opportunities available

start date

TBC

rate of pay

Commensurate with experience and competitive

the role

GIST is recruiting a Research and Insights Manager to support the delivery of our research projects in Africa and the Middle East and to develop our Research and Development Hub. GIST’s name was born from a desire to simplify complex problems and to prioritise substance over style. This is what we believe can lead to sustainable, meaningful change - the Research and Insights Manager is at the centre of making that happen. The gist is: the Research and Insights Manager is able to take complicated research and effortlessly explain it to a six-year old.

GIST works on a range of interesting projects – from investigating conflict economies in the Horn of Africa and reviewing resilience impacts of international organisations in the Levant - or implementing research training programmes for government actors in the Middle East   – there is never a dull moment. The Research and Insights Manager’s main role is to transform data from our research projects into meaningful actionable insight to support the execution of GIST’s project portfolio. You will design and deliver quantitative and qualitative research projects and present the results in a digestible way using data visualisation tools and clear and concise written and verbal communication.

As we are a relatively new organisation, you will have the opportunity to develop the company’s Research and Development Hub. Working alongside the R&D Leads and Data Scientists, you will develop GIST’s approach to analysing large datasets, using machine learning and AI, and then presenting meaningful insights to our partners and clients. We like to think outside the box, be creative and innovate in a sector that can sometimes feel bureaucratic, traditional and habitual. We hope this is something that excites you too.  

You will also be expected to help the company with new opportunities and initiatives. This means developing concept notes for clients on a specific project idea or methodology, writing sections in proposals on our approach to research and analysis, and liaising with clients and local partners on the problems they’re facing and how we might be able to fix them.

To be effective and successful in this role, you will require a combination of specific hard and soft skills. These are listed as follows:

skills and experience

To be effective and successful in this role, you will require a combination of specific hard and soft skills. These are listed as follows:

  • You have experience with  qualitative and/or quantitative research methodologies, preferably in an international development context. This role is open to people with various profiles, including those who consider themselves more of a qualitative expert than quantitative and vice versa.
  • On the qualitative side, you should have experience with applying sociology, anthropology, and political science methodologies in a conflict setting.
  • On the quantitative side, you have the ability to organise and review data with advanced data analysis skills (proficient with SQL, R, PYTHON or other programming tools )
  • You can tell compelling stories with data and have a strong data visualisation skill set, including experience of using the relevant tools (Power BI or Tableau for example). This role will also suit someone that writes well, considers themselves an expert at conveying information in a creative way so that complex information can be understood in clear messaging and with practical recommendations.
  • You have experience analysing and integrating research into client and/or public facing communications
  • You can engage senior stakeholders and can lead sessions to solicit requirements for research and data visualisations
  • You have an organised, structured and analytical approach to problem solving
  • You have a concrete understanding of the international development and aid sector and have worked with clients on problems in developing countries or ideally, fragile and conflict-affected states
  • You have solid written and verbal communication skills in English and are comfortable in dealing with stakeholders across the globe and can sustain effective working relationships both virtually and physically. Teams are often made up of a diverse group of people with a mix of languages and cultures, an international outlook and an empathic approach are essential
  • A university degree in a relevant field
  • Fluency in English is required. Proficiency in  one or several other languages is a bonus
Apply for this role

We celebrate every employee, exactly as they are. We don't shy away from breaking down systemic discrimination in society, or from difficult conversations and discussions. We're committed to being a force for change in this area. The same goes for our recruitment. We welcome every application, regardless of race, religion or belief, ethnic origin, physical ability, family structure, socioeconomic status, age, nationality or citizenship status, marital, domestic or civil partnership status, sexual orientation or gender identity.