What are the responsibilities and job description for the DATA ANALYST, Global Development Policy Center position at Boston University and Careers?
The Boston University Global Development Policy (GDP) Center’s Global China Initiative (GCI) is seeking a Data Analyst with familiarity of or a background in China’s role in international development to lead the Data Analysis for Transparency and Accountability (D.A.T.A.) group. We are looking for someone with demonstrated team management experience, data analysis skills, policy research background on China’s overseas economic activities, and strong collaboration and communication skills.
The Global China Initiative (GCI) at the GDP Center produces policy-oriented research on China's overseas investments and engagement with international institutions, focusing on financial stability, human well-being, and environmental sustainability.
GCI maintains four public databases tracking hundreds of billions of dollars in Chinese loans and investment across energy and infrastructure development: China's Overseas Development Finance (CODF), Chinese Loans to Africa (CLA), Chinese Global Energy Finance (CGEF), and China's Global Power (CGP). The databases are open-access resources designed to bring transparency to China's overseas development finance, enabling independent research, informed policymaking, and public accountability.
Role and Responsibilities:
Team Management
- Supervise a team of data analysts/research assistants to ensure consistent application of data collection methodologies, processes, standards, and timelines across all projects.
- Oversee quality assurance for all databases and data products, conducting regular reviews to maintain rigorous data standards and accuracy.
- Develop, implement, and maintain tools, workflows, and best practices for data management, including metadata standards, version control, and documentation.
- Manage relationships with external vendors, contractors, and partner organizations for the development and maintenance of data collection tools and public-facing data interactives.
- Administer access to internally produced and licensed data products, ensuring appropriate permissions, security, and compliance with licensing terms.
- Establish, update, and enforce data governance policies covering public and internal data products (e.g., privacy, licensing, retention, and provenance).
- Lead recruitment, onboarding, and professional development for research assistants and data analysts; design and maintain a training program to ensure team capacity and methodological consistency.
Policy Research
- Design and lead empirical analyses of Chinese overseas lending and development finance, foreign direct investment, and energy finance at global and regional levels.
- Produce high-quality written outputs—policy briefs, reports, and op-eds—that are evidence-based, clearly written, and targeted to diverse audiences (policymakers, researchers, media).
- Direct and mentor research teams through the full lifecycle of writing projects, ensuring methodological rigor, clarity of argument, and timely delivery.
- Generate research questions and policy-relevant project ideas focused on China’s overseas economic activity.
Other
- Coordinate with communications teams to promote research findings to maximize impact.
- Represent the team at conferences, workshops, and stakeholder meetings; present findings and cultivate partnerships.
- Monitor advances in data science, geolocation techniques, and relevant datasets to continuously improve the team’s methods and tools.
Required Skills
Qualifications:
- Master's degree in International Relations, International Development, Public Policy, Data Science, Statistics, or related fields.
- 3 to 5 years of experience as a data analyst or similar role, with at least one year of supervisory experience.
- Strong understanding of global financial institutions and China’s role, including overseas lending, foreign direct investment, international trade, and the Belt and Road initiative.
- Demonstrated proficiency with Excel/Google Sheets for data manipulation and statistical methods. Rich experience with Python/R and other advanced programming software.
- Proficiency in Mandarin Chinese and/or other foreign languages such as Indonesian, Arabic, Vietnamese, Farsi and Burmese preferred but not required.
- Strong leadership and communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
- Passion for data-driven policy research and a desire to make a positive impact.
Note: This position is based in Boston, MA. Remote work is not possible for this job.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.