Research Specialist, Center for Financial Inclusion

Accion is a global nonprofit on a mission to create a fair and inclusive economy for the 1.6 billion people who are failed by the global financial system. We develop and scale responsible digital financial solutions for small business owners, smallholder farmers, and women, so they can make informed decisions and improve their lives. Through targeted investment strategies, advisory solutions, and expert thought leadership, we work with local partners to develop and scale cheaper, more accessible, and customer-friendly financial solutions. Since 1961, Accion has helped build 299 financial service providers serving low-income clients in 77 countries, reaching over 500 million people. More at https://www.accion.org. https://www.accion.org. 

The Center for Financial Inclusion (CFI) is an independent think tank housed at Accion that works to better serve, protect and empower clients. The Research Specialist position plays a strong contributing role in CFI’s research and policy influence work across four main areas of responsibility: the generation of insights, the communication of insights for impact, program management, and organizational culture.

The CFI team is driven by our vision of a world where all people are able to use financial services and participate in the economy to improve their lives and prosper. We are looking for colleagues who share our passion to join us on the journey.  CFI has long been at the forefront of the consumer protection movement. In 2009, CFI founded the SMART Campaign which served as a platform for engaging with providers on improved consumer protection practices, resulted in the development of industry standards, and created an ecosystem of players that support providers to uphold these standards in practice. Over the past several years, CFI has shifted its research focus to better understand the risks faced by consumers and market players in a digitized world, updated its strategy to include work on digital public infrastructure and broadened its convening reach. 

The position requires developing a deep familiarity of the team’s body of research, an emerging knowledge of product pipeline, strong project and research administration, and an active commitment to CFI’s organizational culture of excellence. The ideal candidate will have the desire to contribute to research that aims to have a meaningful impact on improving lives. 

Location: Washington, D.C. (hybrid).

• Actively support research projects relating to inclusive financial services and CFI’s three thematic priorities (clients, markets, climate) as well as the relevant cross-cutting themes such as micro and small enterprises, women’s financial inclusion and embedded finance. Activities might include, for example, conducting rapid literature reviews, scoping potential partners, conducting field research and attending project meetings.  
• Support the implementation of data and information collection, management, and review processes.
• Gather, structure, summarize and analyze data and information using self-directed methodologies.

• Draft blog posts, reports, and other knowledge products representing one’s own research.
• Present team research internally within CFI and Accion.

• Develop workplans for project and lead project administration, logistical coordination, project reporting and consultant and vendor management.
• Engage with stakeholders.
• Planning events and workshops.

• Actively participate in a culture in which all staff: 1) reach their full potential as learners, unorthodox researchers, and thought leaders 2) work effectively with each other by sharing ideas, brainstorming, and co-developing knowledge product.

All other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, sociology, international development, or a relevant social science with 4+ years of research experience; Master's degree preferred with 2+ years of experience.
• Research experience working in low-income markets, preferred. 
• Strong written and verbal communications skills with demonstrated ability to draft a variety of knowledge products including literature reviews, blogs and policy memos.
• Familiarity with the relevant primary and secondary research methods; ability to use qualitative research or quantitative research tools (STATA, R, NVIVO) as well as experience with survey design, data cleaning and other relevant processes such as IRB compliance.
• Demonstrated understanding of inclusive financial services; experience with at least one of CFI’s strategic areas (clients, markets, climate, gender) preferred. 
• Track record of contributing on research projects in developing countries.
• Able to operate largely self-sufficiently, with guidance and decisions from others; able to operate in a matrix organization across multiple reporting lines.  
• Natural curiosity: desire to contribute to research that aims to have a meaningful impact on improving lives.
• Willingness to jump into work and drive towards shared successes.

This job may require travel on an occasional basis (<15%). 

Accion is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace culture. Accion seeks qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, change of sex or transgender status, or any other basis protected by law. Accion is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.