Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. GiveDirectly is a nonprofit organization focused on cash transfers to alleviate poverty. They are seeking a Remote Sensing Analyst to lead a pilot project using satellite imagery and geospatial analysis to measure economic effects of cash transfers on local markets. The role involves designing feasibility studies, sourcing data, conducting analyses, and documenting findings.
Responsibilities
- Lead geospatial analysis design: Work with the GiveDirectly research team to translate research hypotheses about market effects into testable geospatial proxies (e.g., agricultural intensification, road quality, population clustering, infrastructure development). Candidates should have access to a high-performance computing environment (or cloud computing resources) capable of processing and analyzing large-scale satellite imagery and geospatial datasets
- Source and evaluate imagery options: Identify, assess, and procure satellite imagery or telecom data from various sources (open-source platforms, public datasets, etc.) for study areas; evaluate data quality, temporal resolution, and suitability for hypothesis testing
- Conduct exploratory analysis, and interpret findings: Execute spatial analysis on smaller samples of pilot data to detect changes in agricultural composition, cultivation intensity, infrastructure, and spatial patterns of economic activity, based on the rollout of GiveDirectly’s past programs. Synthesize technical results into clear insights about whether remote sensing can effectively detect market transformation; assess validity of proxies against conceptual models of economic multiplier effects
- Develop repeatable analysis scripts: Build reproducible, well-documented code (Python/R/GIS tools) for automated detection and quantification of landscape and infrastructure changes over time, making methodology transparent and shareable across GiveDirectly
- Document and communicate: Create clear technical documentation, methodology notes, and findings summaries suitable for both technical and non-technical audiences; contribute to defining a scope of work for potential scaling
Skills
- Exceptional alignment with GiveDirectly Values and active demonstration of our core competencies: intellectual humility, problem-solving, project management, follow-through, and attention to practical constraints
- Strong geospatial and remote sensing expertise: Demonstrated experience with satellite imagery analysis, GIS platforms (ArcGIS, QGIS), and geospatial data interpretation
- Familiarity with commonly used geospatial and remote sensing datasets (e.g., Sentinel-2, Landsat, VIIRS nighttime lights, WorldPop, OpenStreetMap)
- Technical programming skills: Proficiency in Python, R, or similar languages for geospatial data processing and analysis; ability to write clean, documented, reproducible code
- Hypothesis-driven thinking: Ability to translate economic and social research questions into technical geospatial proxies; experience working with or supporting economics projects a plus
- Resourcefulness with data: Experience sourcing, evaluating, and working with open-source or cost-effective data sources; comfort troubleshooting data quality and availability constraints
- Clear communication: Ability to explain technical findings to non-specialists; strong documentation practices; comfort translating between research and implementation teams
Benefits
- We use an accredited third party salary aggregator to calculate what we believe to be competitive pay based on role, location, and cost of living.
- We also have a no negotiation policy to ensure we are paying staff equitably across roles.
- GiveDirectly is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
- We invite you to "Know Your Rights" as an applicant.
- GiveDirectly is a member of the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, and will systematically check with previous employers about any abuse or misconduct related matters involving potential new hires.
- We may also employ other robust pre-hire screens, including in-depth reference checks, criminal background checks, and sanctions screens.
- We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment.
- If you require any accommodations during the application or interview process, or to perform the essential functions of the role, please email us at [email protected] with the email subject “Accommodation Needed”. We will work with you to ensure reasonable accommodations are made to support your needs.
- We offer a reward of $3,000 for a Senior Manager or above role, and $500 for a Manager role, paid if we end up hiring your referral.
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