Data Analyst

Foster Insights is an exciting new project out of the University of Chicago’s Center for RISC, an innovation lab for social good led by Freakonomics economist Steve Levitt. We help child welfare leaders and NGOs use data to drive better outcomes, ensuring that children in foster care remain connected to their families and communities whenever possible. With a fast-growing list of clients, we are seeking team members ready to wear multiple hats and support building Foster Insights from the ground up.

We are looking for a self-starter ready to join a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary team in a startup environment. As an early member of a growing initiative, you will wear multiple hats: talking with stakeholders to understand real world problems, figuring out relevant data sources, and proposing action based on findings. You will use R and Python to perform in-depth analysis and create accessible visualizations, and your work will be highly visible to external leaders, who will look to your compelling reports and presentations to guide practice. More than "just" a Data Analyst, you will create new work streams and grow the team’s impact!
 

Responsibilities

• Conduct and deliver impactful data analyses to child welfare system leaders, including state directors, NGO executives, and program staff.
• Prepare written reports, decks, and related documentation that translate analytical findings into actionable recommendations for program and policy improvement.
• Conduct literature reviews, informational interviews, and exploratory data analysis to uncover causes of challenges in child welfare systems.
• Transform complex datasets into analyzable formats using tools like R and Python.
• Write transparent and maintainable code using version control systems like Git.
• Apply statistical techniques to analyze large datasets and extract meaningful insights.
• Develop and present data visualizations utilizing appropriate statistical packages.
• Work closely with colleagues and external partners to share insights, present findings, and advance solutions.
• Maintains technical and administrative support for a research project.
• Analyzes and maintains data. Conducts literature reviews. Assists with preparation of reports, manuscripts and other documents.
• Performs other related work as needed.
   

Preferred Experience (DON'T LET THIS STOP YOU)
 

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in data science, computer science, economics, or similar field.
• Hands-on experience in data manipulation and analysis.
• Experience in creating data visualizations.
• Exposure to working with large datasets within the context of public policy or social services.
• Proficiency with R or Python.
• Familiarity with AWS GovCloud.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of engaging both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Proven record of aligning external stakeholder needs with high quality deliverables.
• Excellent organization skills and attention to detail, especially with regards to data.
• Professional demeanor including tact, discretion, and a customer service oriented approach.
• Proven ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and meet deadlines, and possession of a self-motivated disposition.
• Critical thinking skills and identify opportunities for improvement and recommend effective changes to achieve key objectives.
• Strong data skills, including proven ability to produce impactful insights with little direction.
• Work both independently and successfully as a member of a team.