At a minimum, candidates must have (1) a master's degree that has a strong emphasis on economics and statistics; or (2) 2+ years work experience in a related position that includes economic or statistical analysis.
If you do not meet these requirements but do possess a bachelor's degree with a strong emphasis on economics and statistics, you may apply for a research analyst position .
ImpactMatters seeks applicants for the position of senior research analyst, based in New York.
ImpactMatters, a 501(c)3, conducts act audits nonprofits to rigorously estimate their philanthropic impact, compelling them and their funders to make evidence-based decisions. Our analysts are instrumental to the success of our mission, carrying out the research needed for each impact audit.
Woeful accountability plagues the philanthropic marketplace. Funders pour money into nonprofits in pursuit of philanthropic wins. But few ry few ve the capacity to determine the impact of their grants. The lack of a credible rating system for nonprofits leads to billions in wasted dollars.
Our impact audits provide a creative, promising solution. The audits certify whether the claims made by nonprofits about their impacts are supported by professional assessment of data. The benefits of audits are two-fold. They help funders focus grants where they do the most mission-driven good. Also, importantly, audits help the nonprofits identify what they need to do to improve performance and more accurately describe impact.
Our vision is ambitious. We seek to reshape philanthropy by creating an industry standard for assessment. Today, most nonprofits do not seek ratings because they suffer no penalty for eliding critical assessment. Down the proverbial road, we see funders requiring applicants to undergo our impact audit (or someone elsequally rigorous audit). Once that happens, we see nonprofits flocking to undergo impact audits to preserve any chance of winning external support.
Our senior research analysts work with top nonprofits operating in the United States and abroad to rigorously analyze their impact and make recommendations for ways to improve their evaluation strategy and data systems.
Responsibilities As a senior research analyst, you will work with top nonprofits operating in the United States and abroad to rigorously analyze their impact and make recommendations for ways to improve their evaluation strategy and data systems. Specifically, you will work to:
- Frame program mission and outcomes: The analyst clarifies the mission of a program and propose mission-driven outcomes.
- Estimate impact and cost: The analyst constructs a model to estimate program impact on outcomes and the cost needed to generate that impact.
- Assess evidence: The analyst reviews the evidence behind the impact estimate and determines ImpactMatters' confidence in the estimate.
- Write up findings: The analyst drafts a report on findings. The report is shared with the client and, if the client agrees, the public.
- Recommend improvements: The analyst makes recommendations to the nonprofit on how it can improve program evaluation and data systems.
- Manage the relationship: The analyst works with their project manager to meet client needs.
- Each impact audit is conducted by a team of ImpactMatters staff, including a research analyst or senior analyst research analyst, part-time research associates, project manager and project leader. Senior research analysts report to their project manager and receive training, feedback and guidance from their senior director.
Senior research analysts also contribute to ImpactMatters' research standards, methodology and processes.
Experience and Skills We look for four key characteristics in our analysts: research ability; analytical reasoning ability; organization and project management skills; and writing expertise.
Candidates must have a bacheloregree. We prefer candidates with a degree in economics, social sciences, public policy or related fields, but it is not required. We also prefer candidates who have spent some time working for a nonprofit or for another social sector organization, but this is again not required.
Candidates do not need prior expertise in benefit-cost analysis, assessment of evidence or the like. We provide upfront and ongoing training on our analytical methods and practices.
Candidates must be fluent in English and have excellent writing skills. Our analysts work closely with project managers, but manage their own workload; as such, candidates must be able to self-direct their work and quickly and efficiently meet deadlines.
Experience and Skills 2-5 years
Salary Range and Benefits
The salary level for our senior research analysts is $50,000. ImpactMatters provides generous health, dental and vision benefits and a 401(k) with a matching contribution.
Location Our strong preference is for candidates able to work out of our New York office. We look for candidates who anticipate being able to stay in the position for at least two years.
