About the team

The Central Insights Unit (CIU) sits at the core of GSMA Mobile for Development (M4D) and produces country- and region-specific research and analysis on the role and impact of digital technologies in advancing sustainable and inclusive development.  Our work spans across many themes and verticals including digital inclusion, gender, financial inclusion, agriculture, utilities, humanitarian action and climate action.

The thematically cross-cutting nature of our research means that our knowledge base is wide-ranging, however emerging technologies, such as AI, Big Data and the Internet of Things, are key focus areas, as we bring clarity to emerging opportunities in digital development. Our work directly supports international donors to build expertise and capacity as they seek to advance digitalisation initiatives in low- and middle-income countries.

What the hiring manager says

This position would suit a strong researcher who is passionate about the nexus of emerging technologies and their application for sustainable development in our rapidly changing world. The post holder will participate in and lead on insights projects that deliver thought leadership on how cutting-edge technologies can deliver meaningful and equitable social impact. The role provides a unique opportunity to develop and showcase deep expertise in leveraging digitalisation for development in a diverse, inclusive and collaborative team/working environment.

Nigham Shahid, Senior Insights Manager, GSMA

About the Role

The Central insights Unit is looking for a researcher with demonstrable experience in creating outstanding analytical pieces on technology for development:

Responsibilities for this role will include:

• Producing high quality written outputs, including reports, blogs, slide decks, ready for publication and dissemination.
• Defining the scope and methodology of research projects that seek to provide answers to key challenges experienced by our funding partners and by industry practitioners.
• Through strong command over a variety of research approaches, identifying relevant and promising opportunities and trends in digital development.  
• Coordinating and leading discussions with relevant players and experts including donors, the mobile industry, government, development organisations and other ecosystem actors.
• Ensuring that research projects are tailored to their primary target audiences.
• Working with the other M4D programmes’ insights teams and the broader GSMA, ensuring collaboration and alignment with research agendas and messaging.
• Identifying and securing relevant opportunities to promote and disseminate outputs.
• Providing ideas and support in shaping the CIU’s insights agenda.
• Helping in identifying potential partners for the CIU.  

About You

The right candidate will be able to draw on a solid foundation of research and industry knowledge to produce thought leadership content. You will be excited to join a diverse team that shares a passion for the ways mobile and emerging technologies can empower people. You will have most or all of the following:

• Excellent analytical skills, such as the ability to define research questions, devise analytical frameworks, analyse data and extract insights.  
• Strong command over qualitative research methodologies. Knowledge and experience of quantitative research methodologies is desirable.
• An understanding of the mobile industry and the international development sector, including a genuine interest in the commercial and social benefits presented by the adoption of mobile and emerging technologies in low-and-middle income countries.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and manage research projects, driving them through to completion with minimal guidance from your managers.
• Prior experience of managing externally commissioned research projects from end-to-end is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience establishing and managing productive work relationships, at all levels, including C-level.
• Fluent and compelling written and oral communications skills in English, including an ability to articulate complex issues in plain language. Knowledge of a second language (e.g. French) would be a plus.
• A track record of delivering results both through individual contribution and through teams.
• A proactive approach and a willingness to make suggestions and test new ideas.

Contract type

Worker type

What We Offer

Working at the GSMA offers you unparalleled access to the mobile industry. We offer a chance to truly shape the direction of mobile, whatever your role. By joining the GSMA, you will be exposed to a fast-paced rapidly evolving environment, working on global solutions, genuinely fascinating and industry-changing projects and a stimulating and dynamic environment designed to enable you to flourish.

In addition to architect-designed offices and competitive compensation, our benefits include fantastic learning & development opportunities, generous holiday allowances, four additional days off for professional development and many others.

To learn more about the GSMA, visit our career site, our LinkedIn page and our Twitter page.

Being You at the GSMA

We are one of the most diverse companies you will ever come across, we care deeply about equality and inclusivity and aspire to be the best at it. Your well-being and work/life balance is important so if you prefer to work flexi-time or a day from home, just ask. We’re keen to ensure everyone is equal, represented and connected so we particularly encourage applications from all demographics. The success of the GSMA year on year will continue to be contributed by people from all walks of life.

GSMA Values

Our values not only drive our culture – they shape how we work and interact inside and outside our global organisation.

Passionately driven

We approach everything we do with unparalleled capability, tenacity and commitment, knowing that the challenging scale, pace and complexity of our work is what leads to its world-changing impact.

Insightful leaders

We continually develop and engage our expertise, insight and creativity so that we’re always ready to respond to the changing landscape with authority, agility and nuance.

Stronger together

We lean on each other so the industry can lean on us, embracing our diversity by actively seeking out perspectives and skill sets beyond our own, fuelling each other’s successes and constantly asking how we can help.

Underpinning our values is our collective mindset to show up purposefully as good human beings every day, in every situation. When we’re at our best – we are collaborative, considerate and compassionate to others, and we create a safe space for one another to thrive, assuming positive intent in our colleagues. And if we aren’t at our best and the pressure is on – we feel free to be ourselves but still remain curious, lean into the tough stuff and we are always respectful to others and accountable for the part we play.

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