Overview
The Cost Research Advisor will lead and contribute to cost analyses, synthesize cost evidence, and provide technical assistance to IRC colleagues and external stakeholders to inform decision-making.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct research, including refining learning agendas and research questions.
- Conduct cost-efficiency analyses, cost-effectiveness analyses, and scenario modeling.
- Develop, maintain, and update program-specific data sets.
- Synthesize internal and external cost evidence for quantitative and qualitative assessments.
- Provide technical assistance to inform decisions with cost evidence.
- Support proposal development to increase cost-effectiveness.
- Re-package evidence into accessible user-friendly tools.
- Collaborate with advocacy and policy colleagues to translate research findings.
- Contribute to reporting, including writing and delivering presentations.
Required Experience
- Minimum of 3+ years of experience (bachelor’s degree) or 2+ years of experience (Master’s degree) in the humanitarian or development sector.
- Demonstrated skills and competencies in cost analysis evaluation methodologies, applications, and literature in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
- Excellent proficiency in spreadsheet-based data cleaning and analysis.
- Ability to interpret complex technical findings and translate them into compelling evidence-aligned policy narratives.
- Excellent writing and editing skills, with experience producing policy-relevant research reports.
- Experience managing coalitions, partnerships, or multi-stakeholder initiatives.
- Familiarity with donor landscapes and funding mechanisms in humanitarian aid.
- Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work as part of a remote team across time zones, cultures, and contexts.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and project management tools (e.g., Notion).
- Proficiency in statistical analysis software (preferred).
- Proficiency in data visualization software (preferred).
- Strong quantitative and qualitative evidence synthesis skills (preferred).
- Experience writing peer-reviewed publications (preferred).
- Experience developing and using AI tools to increase research quality and efficiency (preferred).
- At least 2+ years of work experience in low- or middle-income countries (preferred).
Qualifications
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in economics, statistics, public policy, or related field.
