Senior Market Research Analyst - International Development & AI

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Senior Market Research Analyst – International Development & AI based in the United States. This role offers an opportunity to shape strategic growth at the intersection of international development, economic research, and artificial intelligence. You will lead market intelligence initiatives to identify institutional demand for AI and data services across global development markets. By analyzing funding priorities, procurement environments, technology trends, and institutional needs, you will help uncover commercially viable opportunities. Your research will inform market positioning, service development, potential partnerships, and business expansion strategies. Working closely with senior leadership and cross-functional teams, you will turn complex quantitative and qualitative findings into actionable recommendations. This is a fully remote, full-time position requiring consistent availability during Central Time business hours. Accountabilities As Senior Market Research Analyst, you will independently manage research initiatives and provide the market intelligence needed to guide strategic and commercial decisions. Your responsibilities will include: • Research institutional priorities, AI adoption trends, and demand for AI training data, multilingual datasets, human evaluation, and related services across the international development sector. • Analyze funding mechanisms, procurement practices, technology investments, and purchasing requirements across multilateral development banks, government agencies, and international organizations. • Assess market opportunities across sectors such as education, employment, social protection, agriculture, and public services, including opportunities in developing and emerging markets. • Identify potential institutional customers and evaluate market size, competitive conditions, barriers to entry, procurement accessibility, and commercial feasibility. • Conduct quantitative and qualitative research to prioritize customer segments, geographic markets, and business development opportunities. • Monitor policy developments, institutional initiatives, funding programs, competitors, and emerging technologies that may influence market demand. • Evaluate how existing AI, multilingual data, and evaluation capabilities could address institutional requirements, including socioeconomic data, document processing, and domain-specific AI applications. • Collaborate with technical, operational, and business development teams to assess service feasibility, potential adaptations, pilot programs, and strategic partnerships. • Prepare market assessments, institutional analyses, feasibility studies, executive presentations, and evidence-based strategic recommendations. • Establish research methodologies, priorities, reporting processes, and organized market intelligence resources to support ongoing decision-making. • Present findings to senior leadership, clearly communicating research assumptions, limitations, opportunities, and potential risks. • Manage competing research priorities independently while maintaining accuracy, quality, and timely delivery. Requirements The ideal candidate combines strong economic and institutional research expertise with the ability to translate complex findings into practical commercial strategies. You should demonstrate sound analytical judgment, independence, and excellent communication skills. Minimum Qualifications: • Bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent in Economics, Applied Economics, International Development, Public Policy, or a closely related quantitative social science discipline, with training in statistics and research methods. • At least 6 years of relevant professional experience, ideally 6–10 years, in applied economic research, institutional research, policy analysis, market research, or strategic market intelligence. • Demonstrated experience conducting quantitative and qualitative research and evaluating complex economic, socioeconomic, and institutional information. • Proven ability to translate research findings into clear reports, actionable recommendations, and strategic business insights. • Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills. • Ability to independently manage research projects, assess information from multiple sources, and communicate findings effectively. • Excellent written and verbal English communication skills, including the ability to present complex findings to senior leadership. • Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities. • Proficiency in research methodologies, data analysis, and professional reporting tools. • Ability to consistently work Central Time (CT) business hours, regardless of geographic location. • Legal authorization to work in the location where you will be employed. Any employment-based immigration sponsorship is subject to approval and applicable legal requirements. Preferred Qualifications: • Master's degree in Economics, Public Policy, International Development, Development Economics, or a closely related analytical field. • Experience working with multilateral development banks, international development organizations, government agencies, or similar institutions. • Experience conducting research, market assessments, or strategic analysis across multiple countries, particularly in developing and emerging markets. • Familiarity with government and institutional stakeholders, development-sector priorities, funding mechanisms, and operating environments. • Knowledge of AI applications, digital development, or technology-enabled solutions in international development. • Experience evaluating institutional procurement processes, donor-funded initiatives, or development-sector funding programs. • Background in market-entry strategies, comm