Nonprofit Remote Digest - Issue #545
Solar Sister invest in women’s clean energy businesses in off-grid communities in Africa. We put clean power in the hands of the people...
Solar Sister — solarsister.org Solar Sister supports local women in Africa to create clean energy businesses. Because everyone should have affordable, clean power.
Data and Systems Manager
Title: Data and Systems Manager
Location: Virtual position; Washington, D.C. Metro Area home base is preferred
WHO WE ARE
Solar Sister is a movement of women, men, allies, and partners who care about the well-being of people and planet. Our vision is a brighter world, powered by women entrepreneurs. We eradicate energy poverty by empowering women with economic opportunity. We are creating a deliberately woman-centered network of entrepreneurs to bring the breakthrough potential of clean energy technology to even the most remote communities in rural Africa.
Our model is simple: each Solar Sister entrepreneur buys her lights and cookstoves from Solar Sister, then sells and delivers them — woman-to-woman — to her family, friends, and neighbors. We provide essential services and training that enable women entrepreneurs to build sustainable businesses in their own communities. Since our founding in 2010, Solar Sister has supported over 5,000 entrepreneurs, distributed over 400,000 clean energy products, and reached nearly 2 million people.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
At a time of programmatic growth and opportunity, Solar Sister seeks a mission-driven, energetic, and nimble Data and Systems Manager to drive Solar Sister’s investment in data science and analytics. This position will work closely with Solar Sister's executive management, partners, and in-country Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Managers to build the internal systems and infrastructure needed to support Solar Sister's full implementation of all data science projects. The Data and Systems Manager will also be responsible for integrating data science across programs on an ongoing basis and for training staff across all three Solar Sister offices on how to use these data to bolster operations and programming. This holistic approach will increase Solar Sister's long-term sustainability, by adding the foundational building blocks critical to an organization-wide commitment to and capacity for strategically integrating data science into our impact journey.
The Data and Systems Manager will work across projects, but at the outset will primarily support a new initiative that will focus on using data science to gather insights, analyze customer data, and predict market characteristics. This will generate data both for clean energy entrepreneurs and for Solar Sister staff to use to make data-backed decisions as we scale into additional emerging markets. As part of this, they will champion an organizational culture shift from a focus on data being primarily for donor reporting or indicator tracking to using data for programmatic course correction and decision making by staff at all levels of the organization.The Data and Systems Manager will join a lean 5-member US-based team, and – working alongside colleagues in Africa, including the Tanzania and Nigeria M&E Managers – they will partner closely with the CEO, Impact Associate, and Director of Programs to design and implement new data-driven programming and to create and manage the data science and systems needed to support this programming. Additionally, the Data and Systems Manager will work to strengthen Solar Sister’s data systems and processes to ensure smooth and effective tracking of the business as usual and new programs that align with donor expectations and contractual requirements.
Collect, manage, and interpret data for analyzing business results, working to ensure that Solar Sister is making evidence-based decisions for business-as-usual operations and new programs/initiatives
Transfer data into an easy-to-understand format for use in decision-making by program and Leadership Team staff, creating reports and presentations for business uses
Serve as the primary TaroWorks and Salesforce Administrator, and work closely with the data teams in country to roll out, oversee, and manage new data science processes and systems to support general operations and individual programs
Manage and liaise with external data consultants, including on Salesforce administration and data science programs
Create new, experimental frameworks to collect data
Build tools to automate data collection to meet ever-changing data needs and donor requirements
Stay up-to-date on best practices around data collection and analysis, data visualization, data governance (including privacy and security, quality, and stewardship), particularly as it relates to climate change mitigation and women’s economic empowerment programming
Train staff at all levels of the organization and across three different offices on TaroWorks and Salesforce
Respond to field staff using technology, such as Whatsapp, to manage TaroWorks and Salesforce system errors and/or challenges
Support members of the Leadership Team in resolving TaroWorks or Salesforce system errors and/or challenges
Regularly conduct Salesforce “sweeps” to identify data gaps or errors and work with the Africa teams to resolve these
Liaise with external data scientists and/or research partners to manage the collection and analysis of all Solar Sister data, as needed
Manage and update data protection and broader data policies to meet the needs of the organization and to ensure that Solar Sister’s data collection methodologies meet global ethical standards for the protection of research participants and train staff and partners on how to appropriately apply these
WHAT SKILLS YOU BRING
Demonstrated expertise in creating and manipulating CRM system architecture and GIS data
Deep knowledge of Salesforce infrastructure required; experience with TaroWorks a plus
Experience training staff at various organizational levels about how to use Salesforce effectively to track operations and programs; experience training cross-cultural staff using digital platforms a plus
Experience using statistical computer languages to manipulate data and draw insights from large data sets
Knowledge of advanced statistical techniques and concepts (regression, properties of distributions, statistical tests, and proper usage, etc.) and experience with applications preferred, but not required
Demonstrated success leading complex projects, particularly with managing change across systems integrations, workflows, and automations
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to network and to develop and maintain strong relationships with field staff
Strong problem-solving skills
The ability to work independently and manage competing responsibilities and changing priorities
A drive to learn and master new technologies and techniques
WHO YOU ARE
A “data nerd” who is adept at using large data sets to find opportunities for process optimization and using models to test the effectiveness of different courses of action. You have strong experience using a variety of data mining/data analysis methods and tools, building and implementing models, using/creating algorithms, and creating/running simulations.
A results-oriented M&E professional. You have a proven ability to drive business results with your data-based insights.
Process and detail-oriented. You love putting in place processes to systematically track data, teaching other staff how to use these processes, and managing them as they roll-out. You are constantly thinking about how to improve data science and data collection for the organization.
Flexible - someone who loves learning as they go, teaching themselves new skills, and solving problems. You are comfortable working with a wide range of stakeholders and functional teams, and you have a passion for problem-solving. Problem-solving doesn’t stress you out, but rather you love the challenge! You have a passion for discovering solutions hidden in large data sets and working with stakeholders to improve business outcomes.
A passionate advocate who is committed to Solar Sister’s mission and values. You believe in a brighter world powered by women entrepreneurs and their power to seize economic opportunity and address the clean energy challenge. You resonate with Solar Sister’s values of sisterhood, trust, and grit.
A versatile and well-rounded data science professional. You bring 5-7 years of work experience in data science, with a track record of using data to make business/programming decisions and to achieve results. You have a Master’s or Ph.D. in data science, statistics, mathematics, computer science, or another quantitative field, and are experienced with statistical software and data mining techniques.
An exceptional writer, storyteller, and communicator who is able to make data “speak to the masses.” You are able to grasp new data concepts quickly, absorb complex quantitative and qualitative information, and condense it for lay audiences to understand. You demonstrate an understanding of the context surrounding an issue area and create logical arguments that clearly articulate the ‘why’ behind mission and impact.
A thoughtful relationship builder who develops rapport easily and fosters long-term connections. You have a warm, energetic, poised, and authentic personality that translates to building lasting relationships, particularly with key internal stakeholders in DC and in the Africa offices. You are adept at connecting with individuals virtually and love working with others to solve problems and create data process improvements. You are a patient trainer, and enjoy finding new ways to communicate data processes if others do not understand them at first.
A well-organized and resourceful behind-the-scenes manager. You are experienced in managing multiple projects and tasks, proactively and independently addressing challenges as they arise. You have a mind for operations and efficiency, and strategically use limited resources to create systems and processes. You are skilled at getting the most out of donor relationship management and donor research systems.
A flexible, self-directed, and willing team member. You are at home in a lean nonprofit environment with the ability to stay focused and nimble in the face of growth and change. You are willing to try new things, fail quickly, and try again. You are collaborative, pitch in wherever is needed, are comfortable with shared responsibility, and understand that you are often your own department
The following knowledge, skills, and experiences are nice to have:
Knowledge of women’s rights, international development, and/or clean energy sector
Prior international work experience, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, and/or demonstrated skills in cross-cultural communication, a strong plus.
HOURS AND LOCATION
This full-time position is available immediately. This position is virtual and can work from anywhere in the United States. Washington, D.C. Metro Area home base is preferred. While there is no travel during COVID-19, there may be domestic and international travel once it is safe to do so.
COMPENSATION
Salary is $70,000 and additional benefits of $500/month reimbursement allowance for medical insurance, 20 days for personal time off, 10 national holidays, and a 2-week closure at the end of the calendar year. Solar Sister offers a flexible work environment that supports the well-being of our team.
TO APPLY
If this opportunity calls out to you, please email the following to jobs@solarsister.org:
1) a tailored cover letter that explains why Solar Sister’s mission excites you and why this particular role is a fit for you; and
2) your resume.
Please address your cover letter to Katherine Lucey, Chief Executive Officer. We review applications on a rolling basis and strive to get back to short-listed applicants within two weeks.
Solar Sister provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Solar Sister complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Solar Sister expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Solar Sister employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated.
Benefits
$500/month reimbursement allowance for medical insurance, 20 days for personal time off, 10 national holidays, and a 2-week closure at the end of the calendar year. Solar Sister offers a flexible work environment that supports the well-being of our team.