MERL Intern

iDE is an international nonprofit dedicated to combating poverty in the developing world not through handouts, but by helping rural households access the tools and knowledge they need to increase their income and improve their health and well-being. iDE has 40 years of experience and programs in 11 countries in Africa, South Asia, South East Asia, and Central America.

IDE's vision, to catalyze the power of entrepreneurship to allow millions of people to lift themselves out of poverty, is ambitious and bold. We need a person who is, first and foremost, passionate about this vision.

iDE uses an integrated monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL) approach to measure our progress on delivering programs that center client needs and offer clear value for donors and stakeholders. With an emphasis on not only rigor but inclusive and ethical measurement, we are committed to incorporating participatory approaches in our MERL work and to converting our quantitative and qualitative evidence into actionable learning. We generate monitoring and impact data to guide program decisions, aiming to leverage the best systems and tools to deliver the right information to the right people at the right time

As an intern, you will support various aspects of research, evaluation, and data management for the MERL team. You will assist in developing tools and templates, contribute to creating guidance materials, and help organize data and resources to enhance program decisions, ensuring that our approaches remain inclusive and rigorous. Additionally, you will collaborate on survey design, maintaining data quality and consistency throughout the projects. Note that specific job duties may change based on team needs and intern interests and skills.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

• Design a ‘Prosperity KPI Questionnaire' to assess MERL KPIs, ensuring alignment with program goals and best survey practices.
• Organize and categorize literature review sources into Zotero for streamlined citation management and efficient referencing.
• Develop a one-pager for the Market System Resilience Index (MSRI), outlining its purpose, usage instructions, FAQs, and important links.
• Assist in developing the MSRI Implementation Guidance Workbook, focusing on research design, hypotheses, data management, and participant/enumerator recruitment.
• Create a new data analysis template for MERL activities, incorporating project-specific requirements.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Strong interest in monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning.
• Currently pursuing or recently earned a degree in a relevant field.
• Experience in qualitative and/or quantitative research methods, with a focus on survey design, data management, or evaluation processes.
• Experience with referencing software like Zotero or Mendeley, or a willingness to learn.
• Intermediate proficiency in Excel, Google Suite and Canva.
• Fluent in English. A second language that’s used in an area where we work is a plus.

Behaviors and Values

• Demonstrates empathy, humility, authenticity, and respect in the workplace
• Willingness to ask questions and seek feedback
• Excellent problem-solving and creative thinking abilities
• Ability to work independently and prioritize effectively
• Desire to work in fast-paced environment and across multiple time zones and languages
• Excellent verbal, intercultural and interpersonal communication skills
• Enthusiastic with a sincere interest in the mission of the organization

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those the employee encounters while performing the functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work is performed primarily in an office environment
• Occasional domestic and international travel may be required
• Normally required to see at far and close range, and communicate verbally through listening and speaking
• Frequently required to sit, use hands and fingers to handle and operate objects, devices and controls. Occasionally required to walk, reach with arms, lift and/or move up to 25 pounds
• Regularly operates telephone, computer, software and printer, copy machine, and similar office machines.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Other:

• Equipment used: all office equipment
• Access stairs, elevator
• International Travel
• Variable Work Hours/Shifts

Benefits

DIVERSITY STATEMENT:

iDE takes pride in our talented and diverse workforce. Minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Hiring, promotion, and compensation of employees are conducted without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or age.

Time commitment: Up to 20 hrs per week

Anticipated length of engagement: 3 months

This is a paid position at $20/hr.

Applicants must live in and have the right to work in any of the following: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Washington, Washington D.C.