Research Specialist, Center for Financial Inclusion

Accion International•Washington, D.C.,

11d•$62,000 - $76,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Research Specialist contributes to the Center for Financial Inclusion’s (CFI) research and policy influence work, supporting the generation and communication of insights, project management, and organizational culture. CFI is an independent think tank housed at Accion that works to better serve, protect, and empower clients. Its research focuses on inclusive financial services, including consumer risks in a digitized world, digital public infrastructure, and related themes such as micro and small enterprises, women’s financial inclusion, and embedded finance. The role supports research projects by reviewing literature, identifying potential partners, conducting field research, collecting and analyzing information, and contributing original written work. It also involves project administration, stakeholder engagement, event planning, and sharing research findings internally. The position is based in Washington, D.C., with a hybrid work arrangement and occasional travel of less than 15%.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in economics, sociology, international development, or a relevant social science, with at least 4 years of research experience; alternatively, a master’s degree with at least 2 years of experience.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including demonstrated ability to draft literature reviews, blogs, and policy memos.
Familiarity with relevant primary and secondary research methods.
Ability to use qualitative or quantitative research tools such as STATA, R, or NVIVO.
Experience with survey design, data cleaning, and processes such as IRB compliance.
Demonstrated understanding of inclusive financial services.
Ability to work largely self-sufficiently with guidance and decisions from others, and to work in a matrix organization across multiple reporting lines.
Curiosity and desire to contribute to research intended to improve lives.
Willingness to take on work and drive toward shared successes.
Must be currently authorized to work in the United States; Accion is not sponsoring work visas or other forms of employment work authorization.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
Research experience in low-income markets preferred.
Experience in at least one of CFI’s strategic areas: clients, markets, climate, or gender preferred.
Track record of contributing to research projects in developing countries.

Responsibilities

Support research projects on inclusive financial services and CFI’s thematic priorities of clients, markets, and climate, including cross-cutting themes such as micro and small enterprises, women’s financial inclusion, and embedded finance.
Conduct activities such as rapid literature reviews, scoping potential partners, field research, and participation in project meetings.
Support 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 based on the employee’s research.
Present team research internally within CFI and Accion.
Develop project workplans and lead project administration, logistical coordination, project reporting, and consultant and vendor management.
Engage with stakeholders.
Plan events and workshops.
Participate in a culture of learning, research, thought leadership, collaboration, idea-sharing, brainstorming, and co-development of knowledge products.
Perform other duties as assigned.