Analyst II, Pipeline Development and Research

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to save, protect, and transform lives in need, CRS operates in more than 100 countries, providing relief and development services without regard to race, religion, or nationality. The organization focuses on various sectors including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. CRS is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and it welcomes individuals from diverse faiths and secular traditions who share its values and commitment to serving those in need. The agency has a collaborative, mission-driven culture aimed at improving the lives of the poor globally, and it employs a workforce that reflects the communities it serves, prioritizing local candidates whenever possible.

Job Overview:
The Analyst II, Pipeline Development and Research is responsible for conducting high-value research on individual and institutional prospects to support fundraising efforts. This role involves utilizing traditional research methods alongside the development and implementation of innovative AI tools to enhance prospect research capabilities. The analyst will develop and modify predictive models to optimize donor placement in pipelines, leveraging donor data and AI solutions to improve relationship mapping and data analytics. The position requires a proactive approach to identifying and qualifying potential high-value donors, preparing detailed intelligence reports, and supporting engagement strategies for donor cultivation and solicitation. Additionally, the analyst will lead the development of internal AI solutions for prospecting and risk analysis, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and stakeholder needs.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct proactive research and analysis to identify, qualify, and prioritize potential high-value individual and institutional donor prospects aligned with fundraising objectives.
• Prepare and deliver comprehensive prospect intelligence, including donor profiles, capacity and affinity assessments, and relationship insights to support donor cultivation and solicitation efforts.
• Support pipeline development processes and prospect management activities by identifying opportunities and informing engagement strategies for high-value donors.
• Lead the development and enhancement of internal AI solutions for prospecting and research, collaborating with various teams to incorporate near real-time data from external sources.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of AI-enabled solutions for prospect risk analysis, ensuring they meet organizational priorities.
• Develop predictive models using machine learning techniques to optimize donor placement in pipelines and programs.
• Regularly assess model performance, lead updates, and ensure near real-time availability of model results.
• Assist in evaluating internal and vendor-supplied data for accuracy and potential incorporation into predictive modeling and reporting.
• Conduct regular analysis to identify trends and insights that strengthen donor understanding and fundraising strategies.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Statistics, Information Systems, Social Sciences, Economics, or related fields.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in research and/or data analytics, or demonstrated experience in independent academic research.
• Knowledge of Python and machine learning modeling techniques (e.g., random forest, gradient boosting).
• Familiarity with social network analysis and agentic AI.
• Experience with business intelligence tools (e.g., Tableau) is preferred.
• Detail-oriented, results-driven, and proactive with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Strong communication skills to effectively collaborate with various stakeholders.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Data Science, Statistics, Information Systems, Social Sciences, or Economics is required. A Master’s degree in data science or data analytics, or another higher degree with evidence of performing rigorous data analysis in research, is preferred.

Experience:
Candidates should possess a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in research and/or data analytics. Demonstrated experience in independent academic research is also acceptable, showcasing the ability to conduct thorough and effective research.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. Additional language skills may be beneficial but are not specified as mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This position is remote, and the pay range applies only to applicants performing the job within the U.S. or classified by CRS as International Assignees. Staff hired on local payroll will follow the respective country pay range. The organization offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. The work culture at CRS is collaborative and mission-driven, focused on improving the lives of the poor globally. Candidates are expected to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct and safeguarding policies.