Manhattan Strategy Group (MSG) is seeking a Research Analyst to join a dynamic team in Bethesda, MD working together to deliver best-in-class solutions to our current Federal clients, for example, the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA). We are looking for enterprising individuals with research and comprehensive writing skills to join our high-powered team of professionals on a part time or full-time basis.

The Research Analyst will perform research and evaluation of international major infrastructure projects funded by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, and will produce recommendations on strengthening evaluation processes, methodologies and measurements. Submission of statistical analysis, reports and data will be required. The ideal candidate will have 1-3 years of demonstrated experience in monitoring and evaluation and knowledge and experience in one of the following: international trade or development, export promotion, foreign assistance, major infrastructure projects /sectors, less-developed regions of the world. The individual should be able to work both independently in collecting data and in a team and have attention to detail and excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities:

• Monitor and evaluate the performance of activities through qualitative and quantitative data gathering and analysis.
• Perform research associated with the evaluation of foreign major project feasibility study financing, reverse trade missions, technical assistance and other activities.

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  Gather information through surveys and interviews with key project stakeholders including host-country and U.S. government representatives, foreign company executives, and U.S. company executives and project managers.
• Analyze the U.S. export and development impact results related to specified projects and activities and the political, social, procedural, and economic variables that contribute to a project’s or activity’s success or failure in relation to these results.
• Collect and maintain the consistency of the data associated with analysis and reports as prescribed by federal agency reporting requirements, including but not limited to, project descriptions, project financing details, suppliers’ details, expected future developments, contacts, and follow-up requirements. This will also include identifying and documenting data gaps and taking steps to fill them.
• Synthesize findings into reports that create a narrative of a project’s technical details and evaluation process and methodology.
• Contribute substantially to a comprehensive report of trends, impacts, outcomes and lessons learned, including recommendations for evaluation process improvements.
• Manage data through databases and Excel datasets.
• Handle administrative matters including arranging meetings and phone interviews, preparing forms, maintaining schedules, and designing and maintaining other records relating to project support.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in international relations, program monitoring and evaluation, international development, economics, public policy, or related social science plus one year of program evaluation work experience or relevant Bachelor’s degree with two years of program evaluation work experience. Candidates currently pursuing master’s degrees will be considered for a part time or summer position but must have program evaluation work experience.
• Very strong writing skills and demonstration of outstanding ability to synthesize, articulate, and present technical information in the English language.
• Fluency in Mandarin sufficient to carry on a complex conversation on the telephone.
• Demonstrated social science and/or economics qualitative and quantitative research ability.
• Knowledge of at least one of the following: international development, major infrastructure projects or related sectors, export promotion or foreign assistance programs, less-developed regions and countries.
• Knowledge of Excel Spreadsheet functions
• Analytical and quantitative skills (statistical modeling skills a plus).
• Knowledge of Monitoring and Evaluation strategies, methodologies, objectives and data collection.
• Ability to work independently within a small group setting.
• Detail-oriented ability to work at fast pace and meet deadlines.
• Cross-cultural and professional communications skills
• Candidates must be lawfully admitted to work in the United States