Research Assistant Sustainable Dev Finance

The Center for Global Development (CGD) is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit policy research organisation in Washington, DC and London, UK (CGD Europe) that focuses on the issues and institutions that are critical to inclusive sustainable development. Since its creation in 2001, CGD has earned a global reputation as a highly effective “think-and-do tank.” Through rigorous empirical research and active engagement with the global policy community, we focus on the policy intersections of low- and middle-income countries and the governments, institutions, and corporations that can be partners in delivering greater progress.

CGD Europe seeks a full-time Research Assistant to join its Sustainable Development Finance (SDF) programme, with a focus on Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and private capital mobilisation. Recent areas of research have included: development of a new tax incentive scheme for investing in development, DFI business models, analysis of private investment trends and of GEMs MDB investment data, tracking the MDB reform agenda and analysis of the World Bank Group IDA Private Sector Window.

Job Purpose: CGD Europe is hiring a Research Assistant to provide qualitative and quantitative research support for its work on MDBs, DFIs and private capital mobilisation. Key areas of work envisaged in the next couple of years include local capital market development, mobilising local pools of capital, use of tax incentives to mobilise private capital, risk appetite and business models of MDBs and DFIs, impact management and measurement and effective use of blended concessional finance.

The Research Assistant will conduct quantitative and qualitative research, help draft working and policy papers, briefs and notes; produce data visualisations; assist in monitoring developments in the financing for development and the wider development policy environment; and provide administrative and programmatic support.

Based in London, the postholder will work under the supervision of Senior Fellow, Samantha Attridge, dedicating around 75% of their time to supporting her work and 25% to remotely supporting Nancy Lee, SDF Programme Director and Senior Fellow and other SDF experts, who are based in Washington DC.

Research Assistants are typically recent undergraduates with an interest in gaining research, policy, programmatic operations, and project management experience before going to post-graduate studies. Candidates with master’s degrees may apply with the understanding they will accept an entry-level role that includes administrative responsibilities. CGD provides Research Assistants with an opportunity to a promotion to associate after two years in the role.

The successful candidate will have strong analytical and writing skills and will be able to undertake quantitative analysis quickly and accurately; and use data visualisation tools to present it. They will also require some knowledge of sustainable development finance, preferably with some familiarity with issues relating to private investment, private capital mobilisation or MDBs and DFIs. They will also need to be a team player and be willing to take on administrative and organisational tasks. This challenging position is a chance to study and influence sustainable development finance policy by working alongside leading researchers and policy professionals in a non-hierarchical atmosphere that requires you to take initiative and tackle tough, unstructured problems.

Responsibilities

• Researching and writing
• Conducting desk-based primary research under the guidance of the Senior Fellow
• Reviewing and synthesizing policy and academic literature
• Drafting blogs, presentations, policy briefs and research papers
• Drafting summaries/notes of interviews, meetings and conferences
• Reviewing literature and fact checking
• Analysing data
• Finding, cleaning, merging, and analysing complex datasets (in Excel and R, Stata or Python)
• Exploring, analysing and preparing data visually and programmatically using relevant software
• Conducting statistical analysis.

Other support

• Organising in-person and virtual events, including agendas and preparing papers, and participating in private and public meetings/conferences.
• Supporting the monitoring of research projects, including accurate and efficient data entry into CGD’s Salesforce system.
• Liaising and maintaining relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Performing travel booking, expense documentation and other administrative duties as necessary in support of the Senior Fellow.

Qualifications and skills we’re looking for

• A degree in a relevant discipline such as Economics, Finance, Accounting, International Development or Finance or equivalent.
• Knowledge of sustainable development finance
• Experience in political, economic, or public policy research and analysis related to international development.
• Strong analytic skills, including some experience with data manipulation and statistical analysis (namely in Excel and R, Stata or Python).
• Commitment and curiosity in relation to the policies and issues affecting global development.
• Excellent writing and editing skills in English, with a flair for communicating research clearly and thoughtfully.
• Specific experience with or study of the topic areas related to private investment and private capital mobilisation is an advantage.
• Proficiency in English. Fluency in another European language would be an advantage.
• Strong organisational and communication skills.
• Comfort working independently, with small groups, and across senior staff.
• Self-confidence, a can-do attitude, the ability to work with little supervision, a love of teamwork, a willingness to turn your hand to anything, the ability to multitask, and a good sense of humour.

Applications

This is a full-time position based in London, and applicants must be eligible to work in the UK. Interested candidates should submit their CV and cover letter, outlining how they meet the requirement of the role, along with a sample piece of writing (preferably a piece of original research). The role is based in London and the post-holder will be expected to spend a minimum of three days a week in the office. One of these days is set by the Senior Fellow, currently Tuesday; and there is a monthly face-to-face all-office team lunch, usually on Tues, Weds or Thursday.

CGD/E is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and celebrates fostering a collaborative, diverse, and inclusive work environment. All persons will be considered for employment regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, parental status, veteran status, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age or sexual orientation.