Back to jobs
New

Research Intern, Malawi

Blantyre, Malawi

About GiveDirectly

GiveDirectly (GD) aims to reshape international giving – and millions of lives – by providing cash grants directly to the world’s poorest. The Brookings Institution estimates that $70B of cash transfers would be required to eliminate the poverty gap; the aid sector currently spends $135B each year, much of it on evidence-free interventions. GiveDirectly wants to change that, establishing cash transfers as a benchmark for foreign aid – as the index fund is a benchmark for the financial industry – and in the process accelerating the end of extreme poverty.

GD has raised over $1B since launching in 2011, delivered cash to more than 1.5 million people in 15 different countries. We’ve also supported large-scale, experimental research that indicates strong recipient impact of our programs. As a result, GD has been celebrated as one of the most innovative non-profit companies by Fast Company, while the growing cash transfer movement (and GD’s leading role within it) have been featured in the New York Times Magazine, This American Life, Foreign Affairs, and The Economist.

Our culture is candid, analytical, agile, and non-hierarchical. Our global team of ~150, and country operations teams of ~650, together come from 21 different countries speaking 69 different languages. Team members bring experiences from the private sector, NGOs and government. From software engineers to seasoned humanitarian workers, former management consultants to public servants, researchers to field operations -- it’s an incredible group of people.

Our values are central and deliberately opinionated. We genuinely center the people we serve in our decision making, and strive to build an ambitious, fast moving and high performing environment. We strongly encourage you to read through our values carefully, if they reflect how you like to work and energize you, this could be a great fit.

We work hard to create an environment in which all our team members can thrive, succeed and grow.  We support flexibility, take care of each other, have fun, and create professional growth opportunities.

Location: Blantyre preferred, but remote possible.

  • If remote, intern must be based in the US, Kenya, Liberia, Rwanda, Morocco, DRC, Uganda, Malawi, or Mozambique - we cannot make exceptions on location

Priority Application Deadline: June 1, 2025 or until we receive a critical mass of applications

Duration: 3 months, with possibility of extension

 

About this role

This role is evaluating GiveDirectly’s most ambitious program to date. The evaluation is a multi-year research initiative in Malawi that spans an entire district and evaluates the impacts of large, one-time cash transfers to individuals in extreme poverty. The evaluation is centered on the largest randomized controlled trial (RCT) ever conducted on unconditional cash transfers, and is complemented by ongoing monitoring and evaluation (M&E), qualitative research, and rapid pulse data collection.

Reports to: Senior Research Manager, Malawi

Level: Intern

Travel Requirement: Must be able to either be based in Malawi for the duration of the internship or make at least one 2-3 week trip to Blantyre

 

What you’ll do:

1. Quantitative Data Analysis & Interpretation

Conduct statistical analyses and translate findings into actionable insights.

  • Perform regular statistical analyses on M&E data (Midline & Endline results) to check data quality and identify any field data collection problems
  • Prepare visualizations and summary decks to support internal and external communication
  • Provide analytical support on enrollment data (tracking progress, forecasting delays)
  • Regularly check incoming surveys and monitor survey quality
  • Identify, flag, and diagnose data-quality problems
  • Collaborate with Tech and Data teams to maintain and improve data pipelines

2. Qualitative Data Analysis & Interpretation

Analyze qualitative data to inform program design and evaluation.

  • Conduct qualitative analyses (interview coding, thematic synthesis)
  • Develop reports summarizing insights from qualitative research (Phase 2 and Phase 3 pilot evaluations)
  • Translate qualitative insights clearly for internal program adjustments and donor reporting and share with the programs team

3. Research Instrument Design

Create robust tools for data collection aligned with research objectives.

  • Develop indicators for quantitative surveys (Pulse, Midline, Endline) and ensure that they are programmed and tested with tech
  • Implement survey revisions and updates in collaboration with the Tech team
  • Design qualitative research instruments and interview guides for pilot evaluations

4. Research Data Collection Oversight

Manage logistics to ensure smooth execution of field research. Lead operational management and methodological rigor of survey execution.

  • Generate and manage monthly field rosters for quantitative data collection - specifically pulse surveys and M&E Khongoni endline
  • Monitor and adjust sampling approaches for pilots, M&E, and pulse surveys
  • Support logistical management with the field team (transport, compensation, CommCare platform)

5. Team & Stakeholder Coordination

Ensure alignment and efficient collaboration across research, program, and technical teams.

  • Manage and resolve staffing and operational challenges across research projects
  • Coordinate closely with Program, Tech, and Data teams on enrollment schedules and field operations
  • Advise and support on pilot study design, implementation, and evaluations (Phase 2 and Phase 3)
  • Facilitate clear, regular cross-team communication to align research goals and operational realities

 

What you’ll bring:

  • Exceptional alignment with GiveDirectly Values and active demonstration of our core competencies: emotional intelligence, problem solving, project management, follow-through, and fostering inclusivity. We welcome and strongly encourage applications from candidates who have personal or professional experience in the low-income and/or historically marginalized communities that we serve.
  • Language Requirement: English
  • Language Preferences: Chichewa preferred but not required
  • 2-3+ years of experience in research, impact evaluation, or a related analytical role.
  • Strong ability to translate complex research data into compelling narratives for external audiences, particularly donors.
  • Familiarity with impact evaluation methods and the ability to interpret and summarize research findings.
  • Familiarity with data collection tools (SurveyCTO, Commcare) data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Stata, R, Python) and data visualization tools (e.g. Adobe, Canva, Flourish)
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills - particularly critical is strong writing free of jargon, but the strongest candidates will be able to communicate using a variety of media, including presentations, charts, etc. 
  • Strong project management skills and the ability to juggle multiple workstreams.
  • Experience with both quantitative and qualitative data analysis. 

 

Compensation

Intern pay will be hourly, and rate of pay will depend on level of education and experience.  The salary for this internship is as follows for U.S.-based interns. 

If not U.S.-based, there will be an adjustment to the hourly amount based on cost of living and local market rates of the country in which candidates are based:

  • Undergraduate student: $19.00/hour
  • Recent graduate: $22.00/hour
  • Master’s degree student: $29.00/hour

 #LI-REMOTE

 

Working at GiveDirectly

GiveDirectly is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to the person’s race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Flagging for US applicants: We invite you to "Know Your Rights" as an applicant.

Commitment to Safeguarding

As a global organization serving some of the world’s most vulnerable communities, GiveDirectly takes the safeguarding of its recipients, staff, and partners seriously. To that end, GiveDirectly is a member of the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, and will systematically check with previous employers about any sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment issues relating to potential new hires. We may also employ other robust pre-hire screens, including in-depth reference checks, criminal background checks, and sanctions screens.

GD is committed to observing all local, national and international laws that protect children, vulnerable adults, and basic human rights of all. GD is committed to a policy of “zero tolerance for sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH)” and expects anyone who works for GD to uphold the protection and safeguarding of our recipients as a priority.

These efforts help us continue to build and maintain trust with the communities we serve, and prevent harm to our recipients.

 

Want to put your best foot forward on your GiveDirectly application? Take a look at our Candidate Application Prep Guide!

Create a Job Alert

Interested in building your career at GiveDirectly? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email.

Apply for this job

*

indicates a required field

Resume/CV*

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Select...
Select...
Select...

We'd love to hear from you—not AI.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in GiveDirectly’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

Select...
Select...
Race & Ethnicity Definitions

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305
Page 1 of 1
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Select...

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.