Research and Learning Analyst, Mastercard STRIVE Program

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

Research and Learning Analyst

DAI seeks a Research and Learning Analyst for the Mastercard Strive USA program, funded by the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth (CFIG). Strive USA is designed to provide small businesses with the support they need to achieve sustainable growth and financial resilience. This program brings together community financial institutions (CFIs), networks of business support organizations (BSOs), and technology platforms to empower underserved small businesses to overcome common roadblocks such as accessing capital, expanding networks and know‑how, and going digital. Over the course of this five‑year project, Strive USA aims to reach five million small businesses, 600 CFIs and BSOs, and deploy $50 billion in growth capital.

Position: Research and Learning Analyst
LOE: Full time, fixed term role
Period of Performance: On/about August 2026 – July 2027
Base of Operations: Washington DC, and DAI approved remote hiring locations in the USA
Reports to: Senior Director

Responsibilities

The Research and Learning Analyst will support the full Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) cycle for the Strive USA grant portfolio including data collection, analysis, and reporting, as well as the implementation of research and learning activities. The Analyst will work with other team members to surface key insights and develop research and learning products addressing critical challenges in the small business support ecosystem.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Lead data collection, data quality, and data management for Strive USA’s program indicators, including direct engagement with grantees to address any queries and ensure timely and accurate reporting.
• 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 use of the Tableau dashboard, 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.

Learning and Insights

• Oversee grantee outreach and follow‑up related to implementation of learning activities.
• With support from the MEL Specialist and other team members, update and execute the MEL plan including grantee learning activities and convenings, and analysis of lessons learned from grant activities.
• Contribute to engagement with external research and evaluation firms, providing logistical, administrative, and technical support.

Research and Analysis

• 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.

• Contribute to Strive USA’s thought leadership by drafting short commentaries, blogs, and knowledge products with a focus on summarizing research and policy information so it is understandable to a broad audience.

• Support grantee collaboration and capacity building.
• Provide research and logistical support to drive pipeline development as needed.

Additional and/or alternative responsibilities as deemed necessary.

Minimum 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Data visualization experience ideal.
• Demonstrated experience conducting independent research projects.

Compensation

For employees working in the United States, the full‑time equivalent annual base salary for this position is expected to be between $60,000 – $75,000.

Salary for part‑time employees will be prorated based on actual hours worked. Actual offers will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, qualifications, relevant education, experience, skills, seniority, performance, and business or organizational needs.

Equal Employment Opportunity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or status as a protected veteran.

DAI and its employees are committed to confronting discrimination in all forms, nurturing respect for our interpersonal relationships, and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work. DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner.

DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.