Data Analyst Internship
This is an exciting opportunity to gain valuable work experience at an international development non-governmental organization (NGO) using your skills in data analysis and data science. While PCI has a robust monitoring, evaluation, learning and research (MERL) team, applying approaches and techniques from data science will be a new discipline for PCI. The primary goal of this internship will be to apply data analysis and data science methodologies to existing datasets to generate new analyses, predictive models and learnings for PCI. The intern will work with the MERL and technical units to identify datasets to mine, develop and test hypotheses, and document the methodologies used and results. Additional goals of the internship are to develop documentation and strategies around the future use of data science approaches across PCI and collaborate with the Director of Global Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on identifying opportunities for the future use of machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI). The end result of the internship will be to deliver at least one research project, documentation on what role data science, machine learning and AI can play at PCI, and a presentation to the MERL team. The intern will report to a Technical Advisor in PCI’s MERL unit.
DUTIES & KEY TASKS:
- Identify research topics and hypotheses to test using existing datasets in collaboration with the MERL and technical units
- Conduct a literature review on project documentation to familiarize yourself with PCI project and monitoring and evaluation methodologies and goals
- Develop an analysis plan to include key objectives, datasets used and proposed analytical methods for at least one research project
- Identify existing datasets and perform exchange-transform-load processes to match up the different datasets
- Mine data and test hypotheses using statistical analysis methodologies to generate insights, learnings, and predictive models that can be applied to existing and future PCI projects
- Document the process, tools and results of the statistical analysis in a research report
- Meet with various PCI staff across technical teams to understand future data analysis and data science needs. Document a scope of work and recommendations for a future data science/scientist role at PCI
- Work with the Director of Global ICT to scope out the potential role that machine learning and AI can play at PCI in the future. Draft a memo describing how PCI might use machine learning and AI.
- Deliver a final presentation to the MERL team on the research project, lessons learned and recommendations
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Must be current BA or Masters student in statistics, data science or a related field
- Demonstrated experience or interest in international NGOs, international aid and development or non-profit organizations
- Experience in using data analysis or data science techniques to mine datasets and test research hypotheses
- Experience using data visualization platforms like PowerBI and Tableau
- Proficiency in one or more statistical analysis software packages, such as STATA or R
- Experience with machine learning and AI preferred
- Demonstrated ability to write high quality research reports
- Ability to think creatively about the use of data science in a new context
- Comfortable meeting with a variety of PCI staff, including management, and leading conversations around the future use of data science at PCI
- Self-motivated and able to deliver work on time
- A passion for the mission and values of PCI
Other Details:
We are looking for dedicated individuals willing to commit to approximately a 3 month internship of 15-20 hours per week during business hours. The position will be located at PCI’s office in San Diego.
HOW TO APPLY:
If you feel you would be a good fit for this opportunity, please include the following:
- Cover letter specifying which volunteer/intern opportunity you are interested in, why you are a good fit for the position, and start/end dates of estimated availability
- Resume or CV
Please apply ASAP as we will accept applicants on a rolling basis. Ideally, internships will begin by January 2018, but we are flexible for students based on their academic calendar.
ABOUT PCI:
Founded in 1961, PCI is an international development and humanitarian assistance organization dedicated to promoting community health and integrated development worldwide. PCI is headquartered in San Diego, CA, and currently operates in 16 countries in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Sectoral focus areas include humanitarian assistance and disaster risk management; health and nutrition; water and sanitation; food and livelihood security; and disease prevention and mitigation. With a staff of over 600 around the world, PCI serves approximately 6.7 million people annually.