Project Background
The UK government funds over £1 billion in programming per year through the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF). Operating in over 70 countries, CSSF is central to the UK government’s work overseas. CSSF has contracted Integrity Research and Consultancy, and our partner LTS-Niras, to deliver the Global Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (GMEL) contract. Through this contract, we aim to help the CSSF cultivate world-class monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) that meets the demands of programming in fragile and conflict affected contexts and generates and synthesises evidence for policy and decision making.
To achieve this ambition we:
- Support CSSF to develop and use tools and approaches that are appropriate for the complex environments in which the fund operates.
- Equip the CSSF network with the confidence and skills to make long-lasting transformational changes that allow evidence-based decision making.
- Create opportunities for CSSF stakeholders to engage and connect to enable learning and shared understanding.
- Collaborate with Senior Leadership to build confidence in the value added by good MEL practices.
We are a multidisciplinary team working collaboratively with the Joint Funds Unit (JFU) and CSSF to deliver transformational support. Our team bring together an exciting blend of MEL experts, organisational development specialists, skilled facilitators and thematic specialists. Together, we deliver technical capability, capacity and surge support in an adaptive and highly responsive way.
We are now looking to bring in more data analytics and data science expertise into our core team. We are currently working with the CSSF to test how we can apply data analytics and science solutions to enable better evidence-based decision making. We have already started working with experts on a short-term basis to deliver on specific interventions. We will continue to do this, but we are also looking to bring in at least one core-team member to work across our interventions, to collaborate closely with the client to identify new opportunities, to manage short-term inputs from consultants, and to help deliver innovative technical solutions through testing what works in the CSSF programming context.
Scope of Work
The Data Analytics Manager will deliver a series of interventions that aim to enable better evidence-based decision making through the use and application of different data analytics and data science methods. He/she will work with the client and GMEL team to interpret data needs and find suitable technical solutions that are fit-for-purpose. He/she will also support and/or lead on interventions using data synthesis and data visualisation.
The Data Analytics Manager will report to a member of the GMEL Leadership Team and work closely with a multidisciplinary team. He/she will manage small teams of short-term data scientists and/or data analysts. These teams will be set up for specific interventions and will vary in size. We also hope to build up more core team members with data analytics and/or data science expertise. The Data Analytics Manager will lead on these recruitments and work with the Leadership Team to shape the team.
He/she will bring a new discipline and expertise to the GMEL team, and will need to work with people who don’t necessarily have the same technical background. We expect this will lend itself to creative, innovative and accessible solutions.
Specific responsibilities may include:
- Lead efforts to identify opportunities for data analytics and data science in CSSF MEL initiatives.
- Advise on new and innovative methods in the data science and data analytics field that can be applicable to CSSF MEL initiatives.
- Advise on developing new and relevant approaches to data synthesis and forecasting trends for a range of data types (text, geospatial, numeric).
- Support efforts to collate and synthesise data at fund-level on specific thematic and policy priorities.
- Lead engagement with CSSF stakeholders to understand MEL requirements.
Experience and Expertise
We are looking for a range of experience, in particular:
- Minimum 5 years’ experience in a data-related field such as research, data analytics, business intelligence or other relevant fields.
- Proven understanding of data visualisation best practice and communicating data insights for non-technical stakeholders
- Demonstrated experience and skills in scraping, wrangling and visualising Big Data for non-technical audiences.
- Proficiency in data-science focused packages and libraries within R or Python essential
- Ability to produce reactive data visualisations using relevant R or Python packages and/or visualisation software such as tableau or Power BI.
- Willingness to invest time in cleaning and wrangling untidy datasets, and navigate IT security challenges with Government stakeholder systems.
- Familiarity with Natural Language Processing techniques, sentiment analysis and predictive statistics.
- Experience of working in fast-paced environments with the ability to adapt to new information, constantly reprioritise and work closely with non-technical audiences.
- Experience in agile work methodologies and influencing the work of both colleagues and external stakeholders
Desirable experience includes:
- Experience of working on donor government programmes in two or more of the following thematic areas: conflict prevention and peacebuilding, security sector reform, governance and public sector reform, stabilisation, migration, serious and organised crime, gender equality.
- Experience operating in fragile and conflict affected states and familiarity with the CSSF network.
Languages:
- Written and oral fluency in English, with the ability to write clear and compelling narrative.
Security Clearance:
Due to security clearance requirements, candidates must have UK citizenship. They must also have at least 5 years residency in the UK in the past 10 years, 2 years of which must be consecutive.
Our offer/Further details
Ideally, this position will be full-time. However, we are also interested in receiving applications from candidates available at 60% time commitment or more. Ideally the candidate will have easy access to London. The successful candidate will be contracted either as a consultant, fixed term, or permanent staff. We are open to exploring different options with the right candidate.
How to apply:
If you are interested in applying for this position, please complete the application form at www.integrityglobal.com/apply and attach a CV and Cover Letter at the bottom of your application.
The closing date for applications is 7 December 2020. However, we will review candidates on a rolling basis and the vacancy may be filled before this deadline. We encourage early applications. Please be advised that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Candidates must have the right to work in the UK.
Integrity is an equal opportunities employer. And positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity. We will respect your confidentiality and abide by UK data protection laws.