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- Tasks: Lead impactful research projects to drive sustainable development using digital technologies.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at GSMA, shaping the future of mobile technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, generous holidays, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in global development while working with diverse teams.
- Qualifications: Strong research skills and a passion for digital innovation in low-income countries.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with excellent career growth potential.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
London (hybrid) Fixed Term Contract until March 2027
What The Hiring Manager Says: The ideal candidate will bring a curious and analytical mindset, strong research skills, excellent written communication, and a deep interest in how digital technologies can advance sustainable development in low- and middle-income countries. They will be skilled at generating evidence-based insights and communicating both global trends and local perspectives with clarity and impact.
Department: Mobile for Development Team Central Insights Unit
Location: London (hybrid)
Position type: Fixed Term Contract until March 2027
This role offers the opportunity to develop thought leadership and deliver actionable insights to inform inclusive and sustainable development, working in a collaborative, diverse team passionate about leveraging digital technologies to reduce global inequalities.
About The Team: The Central Insights Unit (CIU) sits at the core of GSMA Mobile for Development (M4D) and produces country- and region-specific research and analysis on the role and impact of digital technologies in advancing sustainable and inclusive development. Our work spans across many themes and verticals including digital inclusion, gender, financial inclusion, agriculture, health, utilities, humanitarian action and climate action.
About The Role: This role offers an opportunity to contribute to research that informs sustainable development initiatives, shapes global development discourse, informs programmes and policy, and supports the responsible scaling of digital innovation across sectors such as humanitarian action, agriculture, health, climate resilience, and digital and financial inclusion. Working as part of an interdisciplinary team, the postholder will lead primary and secondary research and produce high-quality outputs for a range of stakeholders, including donor and development partners, governments, and private sector actors. The role will play a key part in advancing how digital technologies are understood and applied to tackle critical development challenges.
Specifically You Will:
- Develop clear, well-structured scopes of work to drive holistic research projects across different contexts.
- Ensure research outputs are tailored to context and audience, including policy makers, industry leaders and development practitioners.
- Convene and guide diverse groups of stakeholders to shape and steer research projects.
- Identify, commission, and manage external researchers and suppliers to deliver robust, timely research products.
- Work across M4D teams to draw on thematic expertise from across the programme portfolio.
- Conduct rigorous quantitative and qualitative analysis to generate clear, insight driven narratives.
- Produce high quality written outputs, including reports, blogs and briefs.
- Present and disseminate research findings at events, webinars and other forums.
About You: You will bring a strong foundation in research and a passion for using digital technologies to advance development outcomes. You will thrive in a diverse team dedicated to empowering people via mobile and emerging tech.
Must-have Experience And Capabilities For This Role Are:
- Excellent analytical skills, including a demonstrated ability to design and frame research questions, design analytical frameworks, interrogate data and extract actionable insights.
- Proven experience designing and conducting mixed-methods research, combining qualitative and quantitative approaches to generate actionable insights for programme, policy, and industry audiences.
- Demonstrated expertise in how AI is a transformative power, including limitations and risks, for gender and digital inclusion, digital public infrastructure, digital health, climate resilience, or financial inclusion.
- Strong understanding and proven experience of conducting research related to the mobile and digital ecosystem in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
- Demonstrated experience applying analytical and systems-based frameworks in research and programme analysis.
- Strong ecosystem and stakeholder analysis skills, with the ability to map market systems, identify key actors and incentives.
- Demonstrated ability to plan and manage research projects end-to-end, including managing external partners and delivering on time and on budget.
- Fluent and compelling written and verbal communication skills in English.
Additional Desirable Experience And Capabilities For This Role Include:
- A track record of delivering results both independently and as part of a team.
- A proactive, solutions-oriented approach and willingness to propose and test new ideas.
- Experience supervising or mentoring junior researchers and analysts.
- Experience presenting research findings at high-level or global events.
- Working proficiency in another language (e.g. French, Arabic).
About Your Skills:
- Analysis – It’s essential to have excellent data analysis skills, primarily qualitative with some quantitative.
- Communication – The Manager must be an excellent communicator, with a particularly strong ability to translate complex issues into plain language.
- Delivery – The Manager will need to have strong delivery skills in order to manage multiple research projects in an organised and timely manner.
- Project management – The Manager must have proven ability to plan and oversee end-to-end research projects.
- Stakeholder management – The Manager must be skilled at building and maintaining productive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Teamwork – The Manager must be a team player, happy to work in a matrixed environment or large multi-disciplinary group.
We strive to offer a meaningful and inclusive application experience for all candidates. Should you require any accommodations or adjustments due to a disability or for any other reason during the hiring process, please contact talent@gsma.com with your request.
Contract type: Fixed Term Contract (Fixed Term)
Worker type: Employee
What We Offer: Working at the GSMA offers you unparalleled access to the mobile industry. We offer a chance to truly shape the direction of mobile, whatever your role. By joining the GSMA, you will be exposed to a fast-paced rapidly evolving environment, working on global solutions, genuinely fascinating and industry-changing projects.
GSMA Values: Our values not only drive our culture – they shape how we work and interact inside and outside our global organisation.
Insights Manager, Central Insights Unit employer: GSMA
Contact Detail:
GSMA Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Insights Manager, Central Insights Unit
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their mission and how your skills can contribute to their goals. This will help you stand out and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! Whether it's presenting your research findings or discussing your insights, being able to convey complex ideas clearly is key. Try mock interviews with friends or use online platforms to refine your delivery.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team and contributing to meaningful projects in sustainable development.
We think you need these skills to ace Insights Manager, Central Insights Unit
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Curiosity: We want to see that curious and analytical mindset in your application! Share examples of how you've explored complex topics or tackled challenging research questions. This will help us understand your passion for digital technologies and sustainable development.
Tailor Your Writing: Make sure your written communication is clear and impactful. Use simple language to explain complex ideas, just like we do at StudySmarter. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills align with the role and the team's goals.
Highlight Your Research Skills: Since this role involves a lot of research, showcase your experience with both qualitative and quantitative methods. Mention specific projects where you’ve generated actionable insights, as this will demonstrate your ability to deliver high-quality outputs.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do at StudySmarter.
How to prepare for a job interview at GSMA
✨Research the Role and Company
Before your interview, dive deep into understanding the role of an Insights Manager and the mission of the Central Insights Unit. Familiarise yourself with their recent projects and how they leverage digital technologies for sustainable development. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you tailor your responses to align with their goals.
✨Prepare Evidence-Based Examples
Think of specific instances from your past work where you've successfully conducted mixed-methods research or generated actionable insights. Be ready to discuss how you framed research questions, selected methodologies, and communicated findings. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and ability to deliver results.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since excellent written and verbal communication is key for this role, practice explaining complex ideas in simple terms. Prepare to present a brief summary of a past project or research finding, focusing on clarity and impact. This will highlight your ability to convey insights effectively to diverse stakeholders.
✨Engage with Curiosity
During the interview, express your curiosity about how digital technologies can advance development outcomes. Ask insightful questions about the team's current projects and challenges. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also positions you as someone who is eager to contribute to their mission.