Graduate Student Internship, Accelerator at Evidence Action

The Opportunity
Evidence Action’s Accelerator is our engine for growth. The Accelerator is a unique model in global development, designed to select and massively scale only those programs which meet exceptional standards for cost-effectiveness, proven impact, and scalability. Focusing on health, nutrition, and WASH, we evaluate scores of interventions and employ a venture capital-type ‘funnel’ model to exit those which do not meet our criteria. The result is a select set of programs for which we develop robust delivery models, test for impact, and scale to deliver outsized value for millions of people across Africa and Asia. 
Our Accelerator is currently in the process of testing and scaling three interventions: iron and folic acid (IFA) supplementation for children; prevention of mother-to-child transmission of syphilis; and new innovations to deliver water chlorination to reduce pediatric mortality.

We are hiring paid graduate student interns across all parts of the Accelerator. While exact responsibilities are subject to team and candidate experience, activities in this role may include:

• New Program Development
• Advance current research agendas by engaging in desk-based research and literature reviews to inform organizational understanding of key intervention areas
• Rapidly assess the potential of new opportunities by analyzing scale, evidence-base, strategic fit, and funding availability, as well as modeling cost-effectiveness for promising interventions
• Design, develop, and refine monitoring frameworks, theories of change, and program evaluations

Logistics
We are seeking at least three candidates for Summer (full-time paid, beginning in May). Start and end dates will be determined on a case by case basis, but we expect candidates to be available for at least 10 weeks. Positions will be remote, with the option to work in our Washington D.C., or Nairobi office for applicants with work authorization, pending Covid. Please indicate your availability in your cover letter.

Qualifications

1. Evidence Action places strong value on relevant personal qualities: professionalism, entrepreneurialism, responsibility, tenacity, independence, energy, and work ethic. We seek highly committed, adaptable applicants with an ability to deliver quality results in quickly changing circumstances. 

Specifically, we seek interns who meet the following qualifications:

1. Currently pursuing a master's degree or PhD in international development, public policy, health, economics, business, or related field, preferably with some familiarity with development economics
2. Preferably at least two years of relevant professional experience prior to starting graduate school
3. Be strongly aligned with Evidence Action values; committed to evidence-based programming in the development field.
4. Excellent work planning, task management, and organizational skills; proven ability to manage multiple ongoing projects simultaneously
5. Experience synthesizing data, background research, and stakeholder perspectives to inform program design and drive decision making
6. Ability to independently represent Evidence Action in high-stakes meetings with government stakeholders and major donors