SCOPE OF WORK
Mastercard Strive USA
RESEARCH & LEARNING ANALYST
Position
Research and Learning Analyst
LOE
Full time, fixed term role
Period of Performance On/about
August 2026
July 2027
Washington DC, and DAI approved remote hiring locations in the USA
position reports to
Senior Director
Research and Learning Analyst
DAI seeks a Research and Learning Analyst for the Mastercard Strive USA program, funded by the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth (CFIG). Strive USA is designed to provide small businesses with the support they need to achieve sustainable growth and financial resilience. This program brings together community financial institutions (CFIs), networks of business support organizations (BSOs), and technology platforms to empower underserved small businesses to overcome common roadblocks. These include getting capital, growing networks and know-how, and going digital. Over the course of this five-year project, Strive USA aims to reach five million small businesses, 600 CFIs and BSOs, and deploy $50 billion in growth capital.
Responsibilities
The Research and Learning Analyst will support the full Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) cycle for the Strive USA grant portfolio including data collection, analysis, and reporting, as well as the implementation of research and learning activities. The Research and Learning Analyst will work with other team members to surface key insights and develop research and learning products addressing critical challenges in the small business support ecosystem.
Monitoring and Evaluation
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Lead data collection, data quality, and data management for Strive USA’s program indicators, including direct engagement with grantees to address any queries and ensure timely and accurate reporting.
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Coordinate with CFIG M&E team to ensure timely submission of impact reports and response to data requests and inquiries, including dissemination of KPIs during the quarterly QPRs via use of the Tableau dashboard, trackers and PowerPoint presentations.
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Collaborate with Strive USA grants team to support ongoing performance monitoring of grants programs, including reviewing grantee impact and interim reports, tracking progress towards intended outcomes, highlighting performance delays, and surfacing insights to inform Strive USA learning agenda.
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Contribute to grant progress reports and briefing materials for the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth
Learning and Insights
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Oversee grantee outreach and follow-up related to implementation of learning activities.
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With support from MEL Specialist and other team members, update and execute MEL plan including grantee learning activities and convenings, and analysis of lessons learned from grants activities.
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Contribute to engagement with external research and evaluation firms, providing logistical, administrative, and technical support.
Research and Analysis
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Build Strive USA’s research and evidence base by conducting desk research and stakeholder interviews.
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Gather, store, and analyze academic and grey literature; and federal, state, and local policy information.
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Contribute to Strive USA’s thought leadership by drafting short commentaries, blogs, and knowledge products with a focus on summarizing research and policy information so it is understandable to a broad audience.
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Support grantee collaboration and capacity building.
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Provide research and logistical support to drive pipeline development as needed.
Additional and/or alternative responsibilities as deemed necessary.
Minimum Qualifications
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A bachelor’s degree and 3-5 years of relevant work experience preferably with philanthropic organizations, nonprofits, think tanks or research institutions.
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Previous MEL experience preferred including demonstrated experience with data collection, cleaning, and analysis.
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Ability to handle multiple tasks, shift priorities quickly, and adapt to a changing environment.
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Excellent written, analytical, and verbal communication skills
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Well organized, detail-oriented, and self-directed
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Possessing sound technical skills, analytical ability, good judgment, and strong operational focus.
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Demonstrated interest in community development finance, economic development, and/or racial equity.
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Professional proficiency in spoken and written English.
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Must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.
Preferred Qualifications
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Data visualization experience ideal
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Demonstrated experience conducting independent research projects
Compensation
For employees working in the United States, the full-time equivalent annual base salary for this position is expected to be between $60,000 – $75,000.
Salary for part-time employees will be prorated based on actual hours worked. Actual offers will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, qualifications, relevant education, experience, skills, seniority, performance, and business or organizational needs.
Equal Employment Opportunity
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or status as a protected veteran.
DAI and its employees are committed to confronting discrimination in all forms, nurturing respect for our interpersonal relationships, and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work. DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner.
DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.
