Senior Market Research Analyst - International Development & AI

Volga Partners

10d • $70,000 - $95,000 • Remote

About The Position

Volga Partners is seeking a Senior Market Research Analyst to lead specialized research on opportunities for its AI and data services in the international development sector. The role examines institutional demand, funding and procurement environments, and emerging AI applications across multilateral development banks, government agencies, international organizations, and development consulting firms. The analyst will use economic analysis and quantitative and qualitative research to evaluate commercial opportunities and recommend market positioning, service development, and strategic planning.

The position establishes ongoing market intelligence aligned with the company’s evolving business priorities. It requires an analytical, independent professional who can turn complex research findings into practical business strategies and actionable recommendations for senior leadership. The analyst independently manages research initiatives from scoping through analysis and presentation, and collaborates with leadership and business development, technical, and operational teams.

This is a remote, full-time position primarily intended for candidates based in the United States. The employee must consistently work Central Time business hours. Candidates outside the United States may be considered exceptionally, subject to qualifications, business requirements, and applicable employment arrangements. Applicants must be legally authorized to work where they will be employed; employment-based immigration sponsorship is subject to company approval and applicable legal requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent in Economics, Applied Economics, International Development, Public Policy, or a closely related quantitative social-science discipline, with training in statistics and research methods.
• At least 6 years of relevant professional experience in applied economic research, institutional research, policy analysis, market research, or strategic market intelligence; the stated ideal range is 6–10 years.
• Demonstrated experience conducting quantitative and qualitative research, including evaluating complex economic, socioeconomic, and institutional information.
• Ability to translate research findings into clear reports, actionable recommendations, and strategic business insights.
• Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to independently manage research projects, evaluate information from multiple sources, and communicate findings effectively.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills, including presenting complex findings to senior leadership.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Proficiency with research methodologies, data analysis, and professional reporting tools.
• Ability to consistently work Central Time business hours, regardless of geographic location.
• Legal authorization to work in the location where employed.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Economics, Public Policy, International Development, Development Economics, or a closely related analytical field.
• Professional experience with multilateral development banks, international development organizations, government agencies, or related institutions.
• Experience conducting research, market assessments, or strategic analysis across multiple countries, particularly in developing and emerging markets.
• Experience engaging with government and institutional stakeholders and understanding development-sector priorities, funding mechanisms, and operating environments.
• Familiarity with AI applications, digital development, or technology-enabled solutions in international development.
• Experience evaluating institutional procurement processes, donor-funded initiatives, or development-sector funding programs.
• Experience supporting market-entry strategies, commercial opportunity assessments, or business expansion initiatives.
• Ability to communicate research findings and strategic recommendations to executive-level stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Research institutional priorities, AI adoption trends, and potential demand for AI training data, multilingual datasets, human evaluation, and related services.
• Analyze development-sector funding, procurement practices, and technology investment trends to understand institutional purchasing requirements.
• Assess opportunities across geographic markets and sectors, including education, employment, social protection, agriculture, and public services.
• Monitor trends, policy developments, institutional priorities, and investment activities that may influence demand for AI-enabled services.
• Evaluate strategic priorities and operational needs of multilateral development banks, international development agencies, and government-funded programs.
• Identify gaps in institutional capabilities and assess where AI data solutions may address operational challenges.
• Identify potential institutional customers and assess market size, competition, purchasing requirements, and barriers to entry.
• Conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses to evaluate commercial feasibility and prioritize customer segments, markets, and opportunities.
• Develop evidence-based recommendations for market positioning, market entry, and business expansion.
• Evaluate opportunities based on institutional demand, procurement accessibility, competitive positioning, and commercial viability.
• Conduct competitive intelligence research on market participants, offerings, competitors, and industry positioning.
• Develop structured market assessments to support business development prioritization and resource allocation.
• Identify relevant funding programs, procurement opportunities, and institutional initiatives aligned with Volga Partners’ service capabilities.
• Assess how existing AI data, multilingual, and evaluation capabilities could address international development requirements.
• Identify service applications involving socioeconomic data, document processing, multilingual information, and domain-specific AI evaluation.
• Collaborate with technical and operational teams to assess service feasibility, adaptations, and pilot opportunities.
• Research applications of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data-driven solutions within international development institutions.
• Evaluate institutional demand for AI training data, human-in-the-loop evaluation, multilingual data services, and specialized domain expertise.
• Identify opportunities to adapt existing AI and data services to institutional or sector requirements.
• Support assessments of pilot programs, strategic partnerships, and new service development opportunities.
• Prepare market assessments, institutional analyses, feasibility studies, and strategic recommendations for company leadership.
• Provide research insights for strategic planning, prospective client proposals, and market development initiatives.
• Establish research priorities, methodologies, and reporting processes for ongoing international development market intelligence.
• Develop executive-level presentations, research summaries, and recommendations that communicate findings, opportunities, and risks.
• Translate economic, institutional, and market information into practical business recommendations.
• Maintain organized research documentation, market intelligence resources, and supporting data.
• Present findings to leadership and collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders on strategic initiatives.
• Manage assigned research initiatives independently from scoping through analysis, reporting, and presentation.
• Partner with senior leadership to identify research priorities aligned with organizational objectives and market opportunities.
• Collaborate with business development, technical, and operational teams to evaluate opportunity feasibility and commercial relevance.
• Manage competing research priorities while maintaining accuracy, quality, and timely delivery.
• Communicate research assumptions, limitations, and recommendations using sound analytical judgment.

Benefits

• Employer-sponsored medical coverage, subject to eligibility and waiting period.
• Dental coverage for eligible employees, subject to eligibility period.
• Vision coverage for eligible employees, subject to eligibility period.
• Company-sponsored 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer matching contributions, subject to plan terms.
• Short-term disability coverage for eligible employees, subject to plan terms.
• Paid time off, sick leave, and applicable holiday benefits in accordance with company policies and applicable laws.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior