Impact Research Analyst

Impact Research Analyst

Department: Impact

Reports to: Director of Impact and Communications

Location: Chicago, IL (Hybrid)

About the Role

NCIF is seeking a highly analytical, detail-oriented Impact Research Analyst to support our work in impact measurement, data analysis, research, and strategic insights across our lending, equity, and NMTC portfolios. The ideal candidate is intellectually curious, disciplined, and motivated to produce high-quality work in a mission-driven financial institution.

What You Will Do

This role sits at the center of NCIF’s impact strategy and seeks an individual who is comfortable with quantitative and qualitative research, data collection, surveys and analysis. The ideal candidate will be able to translate data into clear, actionable insights for internal and external stakeholders. In addition, this role will provide analytical support for reporting and assistance in organizing webinars and events, including NCIF’s conference to celebrate 30 years of impact.

Impact Data & Research

●    Conduct rigorous quantitative and qualitative research to support NCIF’s impact frameworks.

●    Analyze community, demographic, economic, and financial data using NCIF’s tools, internal datasets, and public data sources.

●    Build and maintain accurate financial, demographic, and impact data tables for projects and NCIF portfolio.

●    Support development of dashboards, maps, charts, and analytical products that communicate NCIF’s impact.

Portfolio Insights & Reporting

●    Support the development of tools to collect and analyze data measuring the impact of each line of business from inception over time

●    Support the production of high-quality content and insights for NCIF’s Quarterly Portfolio Reports, Board materials, external clients and strategic communications.

●    Track and analyze trends across NCIF’s lending, equity, and NMTC portfolios.

●    Ensure accuracy, consistency, and completeness in all analytical outputs.

●    Manage documentation and methodologies for impact-related workstreams.

Conference & Communications Support 

·        Support content development, research briefs, and data narratives for NCIF’s 30-year celebration conference and provide logistical support for event execution.

·        Prepare speaker briefing materials, background research, and institutional positioning documents.

·        Assist with stakeholder coordination, agenda materials, and communications.

·        Ensure analytical rigor and consistency across all public-facing content tied to the event.

Who You Are

●    Highly reliable with strong personal ownership and follow-through.

●    Intellectually curious, analytical, and thoughtful.

●    Comfortable receiving feedback and seeking continuous improvement.

●    Able to manage multiple projects and shifting priorities without sacrificing accuracy.

●    Committed to NCIF’s mission and able to connect data to real-world impact.

What You Bring

Qualifications

●    Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Public Policy, Data Science, or related field.

●    2–4 years of experience in data collection, cleaning and analysis, quantitative and qualitative analytics, impact measurement, economics, consulting, banking, finance or similar data-intensive environment.

●    Exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and quality.

●    Strong analytical skills and advanced proficiency with Excel/Google Sheets (including advanced formulas). Knowledge of Python, data visualization and/or AI tools will be a plus.

●    Ability to follow structured processes, manage deadlines, and deliver consistent, error-free work.

●    Strong written communication skills, especially in turning data into clear insights.

Preferred

●    Experience in community development finance, CDFI and minority banking industry, impact investing, or financial inclusion.

●    Familiarity with tools such as Tableau, Power BI, or other visualization platforms.

●    Experience with research databases (ACS, FDIC, Census, FFIEC) or financial statement analysis.

●    Experience with project management tools and workflow documentation.

●    Interest in mission-oriented banking, community finance, and equity-focused economic development.

Location: The successful candidate must be based in Chicago or willing to relocate.

To Apply

Please send a resume, cover letter and writing sample to careers@ncif.org

More About NCIF

National Community Investment Fund (NCIF) is a national Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) whose mission is to invest in social impact and economic opportunity in rural, small-town, and urban America.

Since its inception in 1996, NCIF has deployed over $560 million of impact capital, creating over 17,000 jobs in 34 states and territories. Total assets under management at NCIF are around $262 million, including a balance sheet of $77 million and a serviced loan and NMTC portfolio of $185 million. NCIF is an entrepreneurial organization with a strategic plan that seeks to deploy over $1 billion in impact assets over the next 10 years, and to evolve using artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies.

NCIF has partnered, lent and invested with a network of over 50 mission-oriented financial institutions, banks, and non-bank organizations to expand the flow of capital into communities with limited access to financing. Through this network, NCIF helps catalyze investment, strengthen local institutions, and scale impact beyond its direct balance sheet.

NCIF delivers its mission through four complementary business lines:

1.   Equity Investing – Providing equity, debt, and deposit investments to mission-oriented financial institutions, including CDFI banks, minority depository institutions, and other aligned platforms.

2.   Lending – Originating and syndicating loans that support small businesses, affordable housing, healthcare, education, and other community-focused sectors.

3.   New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) – Deploying NMTC allocations into high-impact operating businesses and real estate projects that drive economic opportunity.

4.   Impact Measurement and Data – Publishing BankImpact and developing advanced data analytics tools, including AI-driven platforms, to measure performance and attract additional capital to the sector. NCIF pioneered the use of social performance metrics in community development banking, and they remain foundational to our mission.

By integrating capital, data, and partnerships, NCIF operates at the intersection of finance, impact, and innovation to strengthen community finance and expand economic opportunity.

Equal Opportunity Statement

NCIF is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal treatment and opportunity to all persons without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status or sexual orientation except where such distinction is required by law. NCIF has a hybrid schedule with part remote/in-office work schedules.