Qualitative Graduate Research Internship
Overview
Summary
WHO WE ARE
About 1 billion women remain excluded from the formal financial system. Women’s World Banking conducts research, designs, and invests in financial solutions, institutions, and policy environments in emerging markets to create greater economic security and prosperity for women, their families, and their communities. For Women’s World Banking, research is the fuel for our advisory and advocacy engines, uncovering the insights on which the organization's decisions and actions are based.
Women’s World Banking’s research team employs and integrates both qualitative and quantitative methods to examine challenges and opportunities for advancing women’s financial inclusion and economic empowerment; inform the design of new financial services and products tailored to women; and evaluate the impacts of financial services on women’s economic agency and well-being. We conduct primary research through large-scale survey data, semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and other participatory qualitative and design research techniques. We analyze data from primary and secondary research, including qualitative data we collect, administrative data from financial service providers, and survey datasets collected by other institutions.
Rigorous qualitative research is essential to gain insights on women customers’ needs. In particular, we use qualitative research methods to better understand the contexts of women's financial and economic lives and their greater environment. In doing so, we are better able to contribute to policy and financial services that benefit women. We are always looking to experiment and expand our use of participatory qualitative research techniques.
Roles and Responsibilities
INTERNING AT WOMEN'S WORLD BANKING
The research team at Women’s World Banking seeks a student intern to contribute to qualitative research on women’s financial inclusion, economic empowerment, and leadership in the financial sector. We work closely with our interns to design work plans that fit each intern’s technical abilities and professional development goals. Interns are expected to work on a range of research design as well as analysis activities. Our interns are fully integrated into the research team. Interns join weekly team meetings in addition to weekly one-on-one meetings with their assigned manager. Research interns work in multi-disciplinary teams with researchers trained in quantitative and qualitative analysis, financial product specialists, design strategists, and policy and advocacy experts. Interning with Women's World Banking's Research Team is a great opportunity for a student seeking hands-on experience in international applied research for social impact.
What you’ll be doing
The intern will be expected to work 20 hours per week and undertake some combination of the following activities:
- Literature reviews on topics and methods related to women’s financial inclusion, economic empowerment and gender equity
- Contribute to qualitative research design including sample design and selection of appropriate methods
- Draft qualitative research instruments and materials, including semi-structured interview guides, journey maps, prototypes, card sorts, etc.
- Conduct interviews and assist with notetaking
- Assist in qualitative data analysis and synthesis
- Produce customer personas, journey maps, and/or service blueprints
- Draft sections of reports, blog posts, executive summaries, and presentations
- Present research findings to staff
- Other duties as required
Required Qualifications
The skills and experiences you bring include:
- Ability to commit to 20 hours per week of work with Women’s World Banking (working hours to be determined, with flexibility to accommodate the intern’s schedule)
- Current undergraduate or graduate student (work assigned will correspond to research experience) in a program with emphasis on economics, geography, anthropology, sociology, development studies, or similar discipline
- Experience in qualitative research
- Demonstrated ability to synthesize insights from qualitative research to inform the development of new policies, products and services
- Ability to work collaboratively on a fast-paced team
- Ability to work remotely with access to adequate computer equipment
- Strong written and verbal communication in English
Preferred Qualifications
You’re an ideal candidate if you have:
- Experience with participatory qualitative and design research techniques such as key informant and in-depth interviews, usability testing, prototype co-creation and testing, journey mapping, ethnographic participant observation, UX/UI design, qualitative impact evaluation and/or other methods
- Familiarity with financial inclusion and gender equity challenges and opportunities
- Experience designing and conducting qualitative research with low-income people and community organizations for social impact
- Experience employing feminist research methods that are responsive to gender and power dynamics
Experience working in and/or fluency in one of the languages spoken in one of Women’s World Banking’s priority markets (Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Egypt, Mexico, Nigeria)
How to Apply
To apply, please submit:
- Brief cover letter that describes why you are interested in this role, relevant experience for the position, and dates of availability for this work (dates listed above are flexible)
- Resume/CV
- Short writing sample of a solo-authored piece
- Contact information for two professional references
Starting October 10, we will review applications on a rolling basis and will remove this posting once we extend an offer.
Please note that all Women’s World Banking internships will be virtual and unpaid, although students are welcome to seek outside funding. For the position to be called an internship, academic credit remains a requisite (otherwise, it must be called a volunteer position).
For any questions about the position or process, please contact Megan Dwyer Baumann (mdb@womensworldbanking.org).
About Women's World Banking
We believe in being a force for the greater good, devoted to accelerating and growing the financial inclusion of women. With rapidly changing markets, influenced by technology and social behavioral expectations, we are embarking on a new chapter to transform the way we design and implement solutions.
For over 40 years, Women’s World Banking has partnered with financial institutions, showing them the benefit of investing in women as customers. We equip these institutions with in-depth research and data driven insights to develop financial products and educational programs. While our clients are financial service providers, our mission is to engage consumers – women who are marginalized by financial systems.
Women’s World Banking and WWB Asset Management is an equal employment opportunity for all regardless of race, color, citizenship, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran or reservist status or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.
