Research Analytics Manager

Athena Infonomics; Chennai; Remote; USD 60,000 - 1,00,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative consultancy is seeking a Research Analytics Manager to lead data-driven projects aimed at eradicating extreme poverty. This role involves supervising the analysis of large-scale household survey datasets and providing actionable insights to support poverty reduction programs. The ideal candidate will possess a strong technical background in quantitative data analysis and a passion for social impact. Join a forward-thinking team that values professional development and offers a flexible work environment. Your contributions will play a crucial role in shaping impactful solutions for global challenges.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in quantitative data analysis and program evaluation.
• Master's degree in relevant fields required.
• Passionate about using data for social impact.

Responsibilities

• Supervise analysis and cleaning of large household survey datasets.
• Guide data analysts in preparing datasets for analysis.
• Ensure data quality and consistency across multiple surveys.

Skills

Quantitative Data Analysis

Program Evaluation

Policy Analysis

Proposal Writing

Report Writing

Data Ethics

Collaboration

Education

Master's Degree in Economics

Master's Degree in Statistics

Master's Degree in International Development

Tools

Python

R

STATA

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Job description

Position: Research Analytics Manager

Location: Remote, preferably India-based

Commitment: 4-6 weeks engagement

Start Date: Immediate

About Athena

Celebrating over fourteen years of innovative and collaborative work, Athena Infonomics is a global consultancy that blends social science, data science, and technology to deliver user-centric, context-specific solutions to decision makers. Our multidisciplinary and multi-cultural team of 90+ professionals spread across Asia, Africa, USA and UK bring extensive experience in designing and applying research methods to co-create actionable insight.

Our team of data scientists leverage agile programming and ICT tools to deliver practical, responsive data and digital solutions anchoring an innovative, technology-forward approach for advancing the global development sector.

This model has earned international recognition: in 2021, Athena was featured in the Financial Times, Nikkei Asia, and Statista's High-Growth Companies Asia-Pacific ranking, and named has been named Economic Times India Growth Champion in 2021, 2022, and 2023.

Athena's Work Culture

At Athena, we function in an outcomes-based work environment with flexible hours and a high level of autonomy. Professional development and thought leadership are key elements of our business model: we support our team members professional growth through on-the-job training, and we encourage the cultivation of our colleagues personal brands through participation in panels, events, publications, and other thought-leadership opportunities. We embrace a transparent, open work environment with meaningful leadership pathways for those with inventive ideas and initiatives.

Company Overview

Athena Infonomics is driving innovation in policy and practice through sound research, creative data models, and fit-for-purpose digital strategies. We work on projects that require creative data solutions, adaptive methodologies, and innovative tools to address challenges in data-scarce contexts.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Research Analytics Manager with a strong technical background and a passion for social impact. The candidate will have experience and ability to work with large-scale, nationally representative household surveys and datasets. They must demonstrate experience in acquiring, structuring, analyzing, and cleaning data.

This project is part of a broader effort to create informed, data-driven ways to estimate the real cost of ending extreme poverty. Using household survey data across multiple countries, the effort will provide detailed and actionable cost estimates to support governments and NGOs in planning poverty reduction programs. Ultimately, the work aims to impact global efforts to eliminate poverty by equipping decision-makers with more precise tools and insights.

The Research Analytics Manager Will Have The Following Responsibilities

• Immediate engagement: This project requires supervision of the analysis, processing, and cleaning of around 20 large country household sample survey datasets.
• Supervisory role requires
• Deep experience and familiarity with large-scale, nationally representative household surveys such as LSMS or DHS, or comparable Indian datasets such as NSSO, NFHS, or the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS)
• Experience and interest in development economics, preferably in poverty mapping and analysis of the costs of ending extreme poverty.
• Responsibilities
• Determine relevant modules and variables from large-scale household surveys, to compile datasets for the purpose of informing economic models of the cost of ending extreme poverty.
• Oversee and guide data analysts in cleaning, organizing, and preparing large-scale, nationally representative household survey datasets for analysis, providing technical support and troubleshooting as needed.
• Ensure clear documentation, data quality and consistency across multiple modules and potentially multiple surveys. This includes preparing clear Metadata tables, and documentation on the inclusion or exclusion of modules and variables.
• Lead and oversee the data cleaning process to ensure high-quality, error-free datasets, including handling missing values (NaNs), identifying and resolving anomalies, and maintaining consistency across variables.
• Coordinate with research leads and external collaborators to align data preparation with the analytical goals of the poverty mapping study.
• Utilize Python, R, or STATA for statistical modelling, econometric analysis, and predictive analytics.
  
  

Additional Responsibilities May Include

• Provide technical guidance and/or quality control on potential project proposals.
• Act as technical lead/writer or subject matter expert for proposals.
• Identify and meet with economics experts, academics, and/or other research organizations on potential new research analytics opportunities.
  
  

Required Qualifications And Skills

• Master's degree in economics, statistics, international development, public policy, social development or other related field required.
• At least 5 years of experience with quantitative data analysis, program evaluation, policy analysis, proposal and report writing.
• Passionate about using data for social impact, with experience working in international development, public health, environmental sustainability, or related fields being a plus.
• Experience of working with demographic data sets like DHS, NSSO, World Bank Data etc.
• Desirable: Experience and technical knowledge of poverty estimation in LMIC
• Understanding of data ethics and responsible data use in diverse contexts.
• Must have excellent verbal and writing skills.
• Must have strong Microsoft Word and Excel experience.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment, with staff from all education and experience levels, as well as across various geographic locations.
  
  

Additional Requirements

• The successful candidate must not be subject to employment restrictions from a former employer (such as a non-compete) that would prevent the candidate from performing the job responsibilities as described.
• This position may require successful completion of a reference check and employment verification.
  
  

Athena Infonomics is an Equal Opportunities Employer

Athena Infonomics is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.