Summary The Financial Access Initiative at NYU Wagner is currently seeking an Associate Research Scientist for our US projects portfolio, to support FAI’s research on financial inclusion, microfinance, SME development, and poverty and inequality. The successful candidate will design and manage new and existing research studies, lead efforts to analyze and interpret data, and develop insights and recommendations to deliver to research partners, policy makers, financial services providers, and funders. The job takes place in a collaborative (though partially virtual) team working environment, and will entail close coordination among multiple organizations and stakeholders throughout six locations in the US. The job also entails management responsibilities managing field teams and 1-2 staff or student workers. This is a grant-funded, full-time position, reporting to FAI’s Managing Director. The Associate Research Scientist may work in a hybrid remote/ in-person arrangement, but must be based in the tri-state area or Washington DC. To facilitate team collaboration the majority of working hours should fall within the window of Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm Eastern Time (US). Responsibilities The Associate Research Scientist (US Projects) will 1) serve as the project manager for the Small Firm Diaries USA project, and other research projects as needed; 2) lead efforts to analyze, interpret, visualize, and present existing and new data; and 3) contribute to setting SFD and FAI strategy. Project management (SFD-USA; other projects as needed) ● Coordinate execution of SFD-USA project with FAI core team, EA Consultants, and field researchers in six project locations: Washington DC/Baltimore, Atlanta, New York City, Chicago, Oakland and St. Louis ● Take the lead in creating and managing budgets, timelines, and deliverables, ensuring the project remains on schedule and within scope in accordance with project goals ● Write, submit, and update IRBs ● Develop and maintain relationships with local/ community partners (CDFIs and commercial banks; community development organization; funders; policy makers; researchers; board members) through regular touch points ● Handle logistical and administrative elements of planning gatherings and events for field team and local partners as needed to execute research ● Lead the creation of analysis plans, output creation, and output dissemination strategies for SFD-USA ● Think strategically about linking data, analysis, and outputs from SFD-USA with SFD global projects Analysis (SFD-USA and SFD global data) ● Create analysis plans and perform (descriptive and statistical) analysis on existing SFD data and new SFD-USA data, using R, Stata, and Excel ● Troubleshoot and proactively devise strategies to handle data challenges, and think of creative ways to integrate qualitative and quantitative data and visualize it for diverse target audiences ● Contribute to the development of findings, insights, and recommendations from the data; contribute to research outputs (e.g. data visualizations, slide decks, papers); and contribute to strategies and plans for sharing findings and implement recommendations Donor relations ● Support donor relationship management by providing timely operational updates and contributing to donor reports and presentations ● Contribute to grant proposals and reports as needed Administration ● Work with NYU Wagner’s finance team to manage budgeting, billing, and reimbursement processes, ensuring compliance with NYU’s financial systems and financial requirements ● Liaise with NYU Wagner’s grants administration and legal teams to facilitate grant administration, including contracting, disbursements, reporting, and IRB approvals Professional and Personal Attributes ● Positive attitude, willingness and enthusiasm to pitch in and help out on assignments as needed ● Strong critical thinking and analytical abilities—able to foresee issues and proactively address them ● Empathetic and diplomatic communicator and relationship builder, in particular with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds ● Able to work independently on multiple projects while clearly communicating progress and results with other team members; strong sense of personal accountability ● Demonstrated interest in creating and improving tools and processes to help teams work together more effectively ● Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, and ability to complete tasks on time ● MPA/MPP or MA/MSc in economics, or a similar degree with 2 years of relevant experience preferred. BA/BSc holders with 4 years of relevant experience will also be considered. ● Experience working on primary research studies, from conception to dissemination ● Familiarity in using programming languages such as Python, Stata, and/or R to analyze large data sets ● Knowledge of and interest in FAI’s research areas, including financial inclusion, microfinance, international development, and poverty and inequality ● Excellent problem-solving skills – must be able to break down complex tasks and craft an execution strategy with little guidance ● Familiarity with typical organizational tools: MS Word; Powerpoint; Google Drive; DropBox; Slack For people in the EU, click here for information on your privacy rights under GDPR: www.nyu.edu/it/gdpr NYU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its recruitment and hiring process without regard to age, alienage, caregiver status, childbirth, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, domestic violence victim status, ethnicity, familial status, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital status, military status, national origin, parental status, partnership status, predisposing genetic characteristics, pregnancy, race, religion, reproductive health decision making, sex, sexual orientation, unemployment status, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of minority sexual orientation or gender identity, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels. Sustainability Statement NYU aims to be among the greenest urban campuses in the country and carbon neutral by 2040. Learn more at nyu.edu/sustainability