Context

Seefar is seeking applications for a Research and Data Science Intern to support the Research and MEL Team on several projects related to migration and livelihoods. You will have demonstrated experience in designing and carrying out qualitative and quantitative research; have experience analyzing quantitative, structured data, and creating, maintaining and working with large datasets and databases; have thematic experience on, and a strong interest in, migration and livelihoods work; enjoy working in a high performing team from multiple countries; are results focussed; and have complete fluency in English. 

Responsibilities include: support the design and implementation of research projects; analysis of quantitative and qualitative data; setting up, maintaining and reconfiguring (SQL) databases and large structured datasets; production of research outputs; administration of research projects. 

You can be based anywhere in the world and may have the opportunity to travel (COVID-19 dependent). This is a paid position, with working hours being flexible. 

Seefar encourages applicants from a variety of backgrounds and locations, including those in developing countries, displaced persons, and/or those with physical disabilities.

Our Commitment to You

As a social enterprise, we are committed to ensuring mutual benefit to the Enterprise and interns. In recognition of the innovation and hard work interns bring, we offer:

• A paid internship and the flexibility to live wherever you want;
• Investment in your professional development;
• Continual review of tasks and responsibilities to best reflect interests and skill level;
• Priority consideration for permanent positions. Seefar is growing fast and recruiting frequently.

Job Description

We are a social enterprise with a vision for a world in which vulnerable people have more opportunities to advance themselves. Our purpose is to work with vulnerable people to build a better future. We specialize in justice, migration and social inclusion. Our expertise is in strategic communications, counselling, consulting, monitoring and evaluation, and research. We work in East Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, East Africa, North Africa, the Sahel and Europe. For more information about us, please visit http://seefar.org/about-us

To get a sense of the research we specialize in at Seefar, please visit http://seefar.org/research/ but note the bulk of our research is unpublished.

For examples of projects relevant to migration, please visit http://seefar.org/tag/migration/ and for livelihoods, please visit https://seefar.org/news/projects/lift-reimagining-livelihood-interventions-for-survivors-of-cse-and-trafficking-in-india/ and https://seefar.org/news/projects/activating-personal-initiative-behaviours-among-youth-in-afghanistan/ 

This role demands someone who is smart, intrinsically motivated, worldly and interested in hard challenges. You are comfortable working with a diverse staff around the world and are fluent in English.

We are looking for someone with:

• Research skills and experience in designing and delivering qualitative and quantitative research;
• A sound understanding of research processes and experience implementing internationally-focused research projects. These may include academic theses or projects, other internships and work experience, or volunteer work.
• Ability to analyze data using STATA, R, or other statistical software for analytical purposes, ideally first experience using Python;
• Experience with data visualization software such as Tableau or Data Studio;
• Ideally some experience in database management;
• A proven interest in migration/livelihoods research. Alternatively, proven interest in research with a social objective and a desire to develop those skills within a migration/livelihoods program;
• Motivation to learn, develop, and grow to achieve social impact, with an openness to new places and cultures, and high comfort working with a diverse, geographically spread team;
• Comfort learning and adapting to new software, and willingness to communicate using Skype;
• Complete fluency in oral and written English.

Responsibilities

The following are the primary responsibilities of the role, with estimated allocations of time and attention.

Deliver: Project and Mission Implementation

Approximately 80% of your time and attention:

• Building, maintaining and reconfiguring a large-scale database comprising migration-relevant insights;
• Cleaning, analyzing, visualizing and presenting data (primarily structured data), including using software;
• Supporting the design of mixed methods research projects and producing relevant materials and outputs including writing and editing of high quality reports and presentations;
• Learning and developing your technical skills;
• Supporting the administration of research projects as required;
• Other tasks as required.

Develop: Capabilities and Program Portfolio

Approximately 10% of your time and attention:

• Strengthening the Enterprise’s reputation and research profile.
• Conducting fundraising for Seefar. This includes building and maintaining networks with potential supporters, identifying new opportunities and creating new projects, and supporting existing fundraising activity.

Direct: Global Management

Approximately 10% of your time and attention:

• Representing and demonstrating the Enterprise’s values.
• Cooperating with other areas of the Enterprise to support corporate management overall. For example, adhering to financial and HR procedures.

Working with Seefar

Current and former personnel have noted the points below as positive features of Seefar’s work environment and culture:

• The Enterprise combines entrepreneurialism with a focus on social impact.
• You work with highly diverse people and across a diversity of contexts.
• There is a high level of trust that supports you to work autonomously.
• The people in the Enterprise encourage innovation and experimentation.
• Achieving results is prioritized over rigid structures and workflows..

Current and former personnel have noted the points below as negative features of Seefar’s work environment and culture:

• Collaborating with geographically dispersed teams requires flexibility and patience.
• Working remotely can make you feel isolated and so requires you to invest time in communication.
• A high-growth phase means problem-solving as the Enterprise’s systems evolve quickly.

An Excellent Candidate

To excel in this role, you will have the following experience and capacities:

• Strong research skills and experience in designing and delivering qualitative and quantitative research;
• Ability to analyze data using STATA, R, or other statistical software for analytical purposes, ideally first experience using Python.
• Experience with data visualization software such as Tableau or Data Studio preferred but not required;
• Ideally some experience in database management;
• Excellent comprehension and writing skills and the ability to synthesise and make sense of information and data from diverse academic and non-academic sources, including primary data; 
• Flexibility and deep desire to learn;
• Excellent written and verbal communication in English; 
• A recent master’s degree (candidate close to receiving their degree will also be considered);
• A commitment to social impact;
• Exceptional organisational and self-management skills, with a track record of on-time delivery.

Seefar will take into account the difficulties some applicants, such as displaced persons and those living in conflict-affected zones, may face in fulfilling the requirements outlined above. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

To Apply for this Role

On or before January 27, complete our online application form. Please, do not include your name or your photo in your CV or letter. This is because we review your application based purely on your previous experiences and introductory letter. 

Along with your CV you also need to upload an introductory letter that answers the questions below.

Before you start the application, you should do the following:

1. Confirm you meet these minimum requirements:
   1. A recent master’s degree (or will be completed soon); 
   2. Experience in delivering qualitative and quantitative research including the ability to analyze data using STATA, R, or other statistical software for analytical purposes;
   3. Strong oral and written English.
2. Prepare a CV in Word or PDF format.
3. In Word or PDF format, prepare an introductory letter that includes only the following:
   1. Why are you interested in working for Seefar as a Research and Data Science Intern? (1 paragraph)
   2. What steps would you take to analyze a structured dataset including more than 10,000 interviews with migrants who are en route to Europe and who have provided information on their journeys as well as further migration plans (1-2 paragraphs)