Data Analyst II – Food Security and Resilience

**Job Description

_NOTE: This is a remote position; CRS will only consider** candidates who are based in countries where we have existing offices. CRS does not sponsor visas for telecommuting employees.

_ About CRS

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding. **

CRS Resilience Programming**

CRS conducts resilience programming across its technical and geographic portfolio and has focused on developing strong approaches for resilience measurement, both in terms of evaluations but also real-time resilience monitoring. The flagship CRS resilience monitoring approach is the Monthly Interval Resilience Analysis (MIRA) approach. Originally developed for use in Malawi in 2016, MIRA has since scaled up across CRS programming and is now either actively operating or written into high-probability proposals in 10+ countries. **

Job Summary**

The Data Analyst contributes to the development of appropriate data products for CRS’s program and sector teams, in line with industry best practices. They work as part of cross-functional teams, identifying data sources, supporting the preparation of data, and developing and maintaining relevant data products. They also deploy ML and geospatial algorithms, providing technical assistance and capacity strengthening to project and sector teams in interpreting and using the results of the analyses through effective engagement and communication. The role contributes to CRS’s strategic priority to advance data-informed decision-making within the agency.

For MIRA, the Data Analyst will (1) backstop design, set-up, and maintenance of CP-level MIRA dashboards, through direct support to MIRA CPs; (2) conduct, write up, and communicate analytics for MIRA CPs; and (3) support global MIRA analytics, in partnership with Cornell University and the Data Science Initiative; and (4) coordinated closely with the global MIRA Task Team. The position will be located in the PIQA department with dotted line reporting to the Global Knowledge and Information Management department. **

Responsibilities**

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Build and maintain relationships with Country Program and global sector teams to identify opportunities to leverage advanced analytics approaches and strengthen capacity around leveraging data for increased programmatic quality, impact, and reach.
• Contribute to the development of appropriate data products (e.g. dashboards, reports) for CRS’ Country Program and global sector teams, following industry best practices and through engagement with sector teams. Support the maintenance of these products, ensuring both data and models are functioning properly, and are cataloged, accessible, and used appropriately.
• Support data identification and preparation, by providing technical assistance for the search and identification of new data sources, as well as the ingestion, preparation, and onboarding of data. Maintain relationships with third party data providers as appropriate.
• Provide technical assistance and capacity strengthening to sector/project teams for data analysis, visualization, cleaning, and interpretation, as well as deriving actionable insights from data analyses.
• Contribute to the development of robust documentation around CRS’s data products, enabling replication and scaling and ensuring best practices are continuously followed.
• Contribute to the agency’s knowledge management and learning agenda in data science through helping implement conditions for collective learning that ensure the capturing, documenting, and sharing of key successes, promising practices, and lessons learned.
• Conduct analyses and support development of communication products highlighting key findings and data insights.
• Support global sector teams’ strategic planning and learning activities as needed.

**Key Working Relationships

_Internal

**_ - ICT4D team and data-aligned staff within GKIM; with reporting responsibilities to the Global Data Analytics and Reporting Lead - PIQA staff, including HQ and Regional Technical Advisors for Resilience, Ag/Livelihoods, etc.; with reporting responsibilities to the Senior Technical Advisor for Resilience - MEAL staff, including HQ and Regional Technical Advisors - Country Program teams, including ICT4D, MEAL, and sector staff

_**External

**_ - Project learning partners, including universities - Peers in other agencies, including through NetHope - Vendors of data and data analysis software - Consultants, as relevant

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Mathematics, Data Science, Statistics, or similar field.
• Experience working in international development and humanitarian assistance, ideally in project- or field-based roles.
• Knowledge and/or direct experience with resilience and food security indicators and monitoring.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science, or similar field.
• Minimum three years of experience as a data analyst.
• Experience with linear algebra, probability theory, and statistical inference.
• Demonstrable programming experience with Python or R.
• Familiarity with databases and SQL.
• Experience with data collection and visualization tools, especially CommCare, ArcGIS, and Power BI.
• Experience with machine learning algorithms.
• Experience with geospatial data analyses.
• Knowledge of data collection, analysis, and visualization methodologies, including the ability to interpret statistical findings.

_**Languages

**_ - Must be fluent in written and spoken English. French and/or Spanish fluency is a plus.

_**Travel

**_ - Must be willing and able to travel up to 35%. - Ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, with an attitude of service.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities (KSAs)

• Strong relationship management skills with ability to influence and work with individuals in diverse geographical and cultural settings.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with understanding of the complexities associated with work in humanitarian and development contexts and the “big picture” implications of project-level findings.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, particularly in terms of communicating data insights and complex technical approaches to non-technical audiences.
• Strong presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills.
• Proactive, resourceful, results-oriented, and able to work independently and be self-driven.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
• Acts with Integrity - Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission. Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust - Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies

• Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strateg y and team priorities.

What we offer: CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, generous retirement savings plan and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world. **

Note: All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside their home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical examination.

CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people - especially children and vulnerable adults - to live free from abuse and harm.**

EOE/M/F/D/V - CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.