Research Assistant - UK and Development

Job Opportunity with CGD Europe

• Job title: Research Assistant – UK and Development Benchmarking
• Location: London, UK
• Salary: £32,550 per annum
• First date of posting: 16 July 2025
• Closing date: 7 August 2025 @10 AM BST

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 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 work in its Europe programme which looks at how Governments can be most effective in their approach to development.

Job Purpose:
CGD Europe is hiring a Research Assistant to provide qualitative and quantitative research support for its work on UK development policy and finance; and on assessing and improving performance of development policy and finance among major providers. Recent areas of research have included: analysing whether UK aid is directed at the poorest countries, convening UK stakeholders to spur the UK’s aid watchdog to be more effective; and analysing the quantity and quality of the G20 and OECD country provision of development finance building on the Commitment to Development Index and Quality of ODA tools.

The Research Assistant will conduct quantitative and qualitative research, writing, and editing for policy papers, studies and reports; assist in monitoring developments in the UK and the wider development policy environment; and provide administrative and programmatic support in relation to programme activities. The post-holder will report and provide research assistance to the programme’s Co-Director Ian Mitchell but will also have the opportunity to work with Mikaela Gavas, Managing Director of CGD Europe and other CGD associates and fellows in London and Washington DC.

The successful candidate will have strong analytical and writing skills and will be able to undertake large-scale quantitative analysis quickly and accurately. They will also require some knowledge of the UK policy environment and have an interest in improving the effectiveness of development policy. 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 development policy by working alongside researchers and policy professionals in a non-hierarchical atmosphere that requires you to take initiative and tackle tough, unstructured problems. The role will be based in London, and applicants should have the right to work and live in the UK.

Responsibilities:

Researching and writing

• Conducting desk-based primary research under the guidance of the co-Director
• Reviewing and synthesizing policy and academic literature
• Drafting blogs, presentations, policy briefs and research papers
• Drafting summaries/notes for meetings/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 other administrative duties as necessary in support of the co-Director and the CGD team in London.

Qualifications and skills we’re looking for:

• A degree in a relevant discipline such as Economics, International Development or Finance, Political Science or a related field – or equivalent;
• Knowledge of the UK policy environment
• Experience in political, economic, or public policy research and analysis related to international development.
• Strong analytic skills, including some experience with data manipulation and econometric 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, thoughtfully, and without jargon.
• Specific experience with or study of the topic areas mentioned above 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 Europe team programme directors, currently Wednesday; 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.

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