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 leads 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 by Country Program teams, and developing and maintaining relevant data products. They also deploy ML and geospatial algorithms, providing technical assistance and leading 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) manage and guide 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) conduct 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**

• 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.
• Manage and guide 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. Oversee the maintenance of these products, ensuring both data and models are functioning properly, and are cataloged, accessible, and used appropriately.
• Lead 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 to and lead capacity strengthening of sector/project teams for data analysis, visualization, cleaning, and interpretation, as well as deriving actionable insights from data analyses.
• Develop 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

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science, or similar field.
• Minimum five 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.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, with an attitude of service.

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%.

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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship

Supervisory Responsibilities: none **

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.

• Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

EOE/M/F/D/V: CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer (for all US and International positions).