Remote-Eligible Research & Learning Analyst, MEL

www.dai.com; Bethesda (MD); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

DAI is seeking a Research and Learning Analyst to support the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) cycle for the Mastercard Strive USA program. The role involves data collection, analysis, and reporting, surfacing insights, and developing learning products for the small business support ecosystem.

Working with the MEL Specialist and other teams, you will manage grantee outreach, execute the MEL plan, and contribute to external partnerships.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree and 3–5 years of relevant work experience, preferably with philanthropic organizations, nonprofits, think tanks or research institutions.
• Previous MEL experience preferred, including demonstrated experience with data collection, cleaning, and analysis.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks, shift priorities quickly, and adapt to a changing environment.
• Excellent written, analytical, and verbal communication skills.
• Well organized, detail‑oriented, and self‑directed.
• Possessing sound technical skills, analytical ability, good judgment, and strong operational focus.
• Demonstrated interest in community development finance, economic development, and/or racial equity.
• Professional proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Lead data collection, data quality, and data management for Strive USA’s program indicators.
• Coordinate with the CFIG M&E team to ensure timely submission of impact reports and response to data requests and inquiries, including dissemination of KPIs during the quarterly QPRs via Tableau dashboards, trackers and PowerPoint presentations.
• Collaborate with the Strive USA grants team to support ongoing performance monitoring of grant programs, including reviewing grantee impact and interim reports, tracking progress towards intended outcomes, highlighting performance delays, and surfacing insights to inform the Strive USA learning agenda.
• Contribute to grant progress reports and briefing materials for the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth.
• Oversee grantee outreach and follow‑up related to implementation of learning activities.
• With support from MEL Specialist, update and execute the MEL plan including grantee learning activities and convenings, and analysis of lessons learned.
• Contribute to engagement with external research and evaluation firms, providing logistical, administrative, and technical support.
• Build Strive USA’s research and evidence base by conducting desk research and stakeholder interviews.
• Gather, store, and analyze academic and grey literature; and federal, state, and local policy information.
• Draft short commentaries, blogs, and knowledge products to summarize research and policy information for broad audiences.
• Support grantee collaboration and capacity building.

Skills

Communication

Analytical skills

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Tableau

PowerPoint

Job description

DAI is seeking a Research and Learning Analyst to support the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) cycle for the Mastercard Strive USA program. The role involves data collection, analysis, and reporting, surfacing insights, and developing learning products for the small business support ecosystem.

Working with the MEL Specialist and other teams, you will manage grantee outreach, execute the MEL plan, and contribute to external partnerships.