Advisor — CEPPS Data Analytics At National Democratic Institute

About CEPPS

The Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS) is a co-equal, legal joint venture established in 1995 between the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), the International Republican Institute (IRI), and the National Democratic Institute (NDI). CEPPS has over a 25-year track record of collaboration and leadership in democracy, human rights and governance support working in more than 60 countries. Currently, CEPPS is the holder of the Democratic Elections and Political Process (DEPP) leader with associates award (LWA) from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and has held similar awards since its creation. Through the DEPP mechanism, CEPPS works to empower local partners to build resilient government institutions, political parties, and electoral processes in fragile states and developing democracies.

Application and Hiring Information

While the successful candidate will work on behalf of CEPPS, the incumbent will be employed by NDI. All applications will be submitted to NDI at the link provided below. The review of applications and the interview process will be conducted jointly by the CEPPS partners.

Position Summary

This position provides technical advisory support and expertise in order to strengthen CEPPS in its technical capacity and capabilities in the area of data analytics. Under the direction of the Research, Evaluation, and Learning (REL) Director, the Advisor, CEPPS Data Analytics will support CEPPS in using large primary and secondary datasets to uncover insights and trends for learning and decision making across the consortium, advising and working closely with CEPPS’ Senior Technical Partners, Democracy-Arch (D-Arch), a consultancy that stems from the Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem), as well as the CEPPS REL team and other CEPPS level staff. Primary duties of the Advisor include: 1) advising on and facilitating the creation of a CEPPS structural framework for descriptive and predictive data models; 2) working with monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) teams across the CEPPS partner institutions to guide and facilitate the integration of effective measurement strategies into global program monitoring, evaluation and learning; and 3) providing trend and gap analyses based on CEPPS’ primary datasets, as well as secondary datasets on democratic development. These advisory and analytical services will contribute to continuously testing of CEPPS’ Global Theory of Change (GToC), providing data-based insights for CEPPS’ Learning Agenda, informing portfolio level decision making on programmatic priorities, and CEPPS’ approach to Collaborating, Learning and Adaptation (CLA).

Essential Accountabilities/Responsibilities

Data Infrastructure

• Work with the REL team and partner organizations, providing guidance and support for the development of innovative quantitative and qualitative measures to gauge progress at the country, sector, and institutional levels.
• Develop a robust, global context monitoring system including cross-cutting indicators, dashboards, and quantitative modeling to demonstrate the interaction between operating context shifts and program outcomes to inform adaptive management.
• Create automated reporting tools and dynamic dashboards to track program implementation progress toward consortium-wide objectives and context shifts to inform future programming decisions and consortium strategy.
• Assist with the development of a CEPPS global partner database to inform and track the CEPPS Partner Engagement Strategy.

Data Quality, Governance, and Protocols

• In coordination with the CEPPS Database Manager and partner Database Managers, develop data governance protocols and safeguards to ensure data security and confidentiality; accuracy, consistency, and objectivity of data; and systematic data knowledge management.
• Ensure program data governance protocols are followed by establishing checks and systems throughout the lifecycle of CEPPS’ projects/programs in coordination with the REL Director.
• Strengthen data quality across CEPPS by addressing data quality issues raised by the CEPPS Database Manager, conducting internal CEPPS level data quality assessments (DQAs) as well as donor-requested DQAs, and establishing practice and protocols for continuous improvement.
• Design protocols and best practices for data access and use across multiple user types in conjunction with the REL Director, CEPPS staff, and partner organization MEL teams.

Data Use, Analysis, and Sharing

• Assist with identifying Learning Agenda questions that can be answered using current CEPPS datasets alongside the REL Director and other CEPPS staff and partners.
• Identify new data sources and synthesize existing datasets from publicly available sources or data available to CEPPS through its global programming and partnerships with organizations, such as D-Arch, into meaningful and evidence-based findings, including data visualization, infographics, and knowledge or communications products in coordination with the CEPPS CLA Advisor and Senior Communications Advisor.
• Guide the development of streamlined, continuous, and customized reporting and dashboards for regional, thematic, objective, and Learning Agenda data insights across CEPPS partner organizations and consortium-wide.
• Explore and design data models, algorithms, and systems to more systematically answer questions relevant to CEPPS’ GToC and Learning Agenda under the guidance of the REL Director and in coordination with CEPPS partners.
• Engage with academia, donors, and other key stakeholders to keep up-to-date on emerging innovations and trends within the fields of data management, program evaluation, and data visualization/analysis technology and facilitate demonstrations and presentations of CEPPS data analytics practice and findings in coordination with the REL Director.
• Advises relevant parties on key trends and best practice and how best to integrate necessary changes into CEPPS work..
• Conducts presentations and develops/delivers training or other guidance on data analytics through written and/or oral documents and programs.

Peripheral Accountabilities/Responsibilities (Non-essential)

• Coordinate and integrate a diverse set of stakeholders’ viewpoints, data sources, and research methods across CEPPS partners, resolving problem situations with tact.
• Identify and build upon the evidence-based links between research and programming.
• In the absence of the CEPPS Database Manager, serve as the consortium’s primary point of contact on database matters.
• Perform other duties as required.

Parameters

• Routine interaction with CEPPS partner staff and USAID.
• Coordinate work assignments with colleagues and group leaders and organize work efficiently.
• Frequent interaction using cultural sensitivity to effectively interact with all levels of staff and stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Master’s degree in data science, political science, public policy, economics, or related field, or equivalent experience. Additional education of relevance may be substituted for the experience preference.

Experience

Data Management

• A minimum of 10 years work experience in databases, data management, and data analysis, preferably in an international development organization or program-focused organization.
• Previous experience guiding and leading others in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data and information, as well in how to effectively establish, monitor, and utilize such data for evaluating outcomes, performance improvement, and decision-making and addressing operational or programmatic issues.
• Previous experience in MEL for international development is strongly preferred, with an advanced understanding and demonstrated focus on monitoring and data quality, preferably with political processes programs, political campaigns, good governance, community organizing, or legislative affairs.

Data Analysis

• Experience using one or more data visualization tools including Tableau, Excel, Power BI, Qlik, or other data analytic and visualization software.
• Experience using one or more programming languages including R, Python, SQL, NOSQL, Scala, Julia, or C++ is a plus, but not required.
• Experience of living or working experience outside the U.S. preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

• Demonstrated knowledge and/or competency in working with primary and secondary data related to elections and political processes, political parties, good governance, citizen participation, marginalized groups, conflict resolution or peacebuilding, hate speech, and/or dis/mis-information
• Consultative and training skills with the ability to apply knowledge and technical expertise to support others in the delivery of specific work outcomes and deliverables.
• Familiarity with donors’ MEL requirements, including USAID, DoS, and non-federal donors preferred
• Understanding of the function of MEL within an implementing organization, including experience in developing and operationalizing SMART indicators in challenging contexts
• Demonstrated ability in establishing performance monitoring systems or databases; setting-up and maintaining M&E systems in the field or with complex programming in democracy, governance, and human rights strongly preferred
• Excellent quantitative and qualitative analysis and data visualization skills with Excel, Power BI, Tableau, Qlik or other software as well as experience with STATA, R, SPSS or similar data analysis software
• Knowledge of Google Apps (Gmail, Calendar, Google Drive, G+, etc.), Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint, etc.), and video conferencing and collaboration software (Teams, Zoom, Google Meet, etc.)
• Ability to analyze problems, collect and verify data, draw evidence-based conclusions, and the ability to think innovatively
• High level of interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity to effectively interact with all levels of staff
• Highly proficient working with a global team with frequent virtual (rather than in-person) engagement
• Excellent oral and written communications skills to effectively present information, respond to questions, and create concise reports, guidelines, and reference materials
• Fluency in English required. Foreign language ability applicable to one of the regions where CEPPS works, such as: French, Arabic, and/or Spanish preferred

Certifications/Licenses (desired)

• Microsoft Certified Data Analyst Associate, Tableau Desktop Certified Professional, or other data visualization certification(s) desired.

Work Environment

• This position generally is performed in an office environment and may be suitable for partial telework.
• Occasional evening and weekend work may be required, as well as attendance to external events.
• Some international travel may be required in this role to CEPPS program countries. These locations often are in remote locations and may require significant time and varying modes of travel. Designated locations also may at times be considered less secure and with greater risk to NDI employees.

Physical Requirements

• Sitting/mobility—to work at a desk and move around work areas
• Speaking/hearing—to engage orally in conversation with others and conduct presentations
• Seeing—to effectively use a computer screen and for reading and interpreting printed materials, memos and other paperwork
• Reaching/handling—to input information into computer systems and retrieve and work with appropriate paperwork, equipment, and supplies

ADA Notation

The physical demands and work environment that have been described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Comments

While there may be flexibility for remote/hybrid work environments and to comply with tax and legal obligations, successful candidates must be residents of MD, DC, or VA or relocate prior to the start of employment at NDI.

Candidates must be legally eligible to work in the U.S. NDI does not provide sponsorship.

NDI is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). As such, NDI makes employment decisions and provides equal employment opportunity without regard to an applicant’s or employee’s race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state and local laws. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please notify NDI’s Human Resources department.

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