In A Nutshell
Play a critical role in helping clients of the GitLab Foundation make evidence-based decisions about where and how to deploy resources for optimal social impact.
Responsibilities
Advisory Engagement & Delivery
- Lead and execute high-quality research and analysis across client engagements, including:
- Cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit modeling to help clients estimate impact per grant or investment dollar
- Impact pathway and theory of change mapping
- Literature reviews and evidentiary quality assessments
- Key informant interviews and thematic analysis
- Targeting and benchmarking analyses
- Sensitivity and scenario analyses
- Develop compelling, executive-ready deliverables — including reports, slide decks, financial models, data visualizations, dashboards, and training materials — that translate complex analysis into clear, actionable recommendations.
- Maintain strong client relationships through regular touchpoints and responsive asynchronous communication, ensuring deliverables consistently meet client needs.
- Support engagement scoping, work planning, and project management to keep engagements on track and on budget.
- Contribute to the ongoing refinement of advisory offerings to ensure alignment with both market demand and the Foundation’s mission.
Methodology Development & Process Innovation
- Collaborate closely with Impact Modeling and Measurement (IMM) colleagues to develop and continuously improve the Foundation’s “rigorous yet reasonable” approach to cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analysis, including:
- Practical alignment with current best practices in academia and industry
- Methodological frameworks for complex use cases such as systems change, advocacy, research, and non-monetary outcomes
- Help build and maintain advisory playbooks, templates, and research tools that support consistency and quality across engagements.
- Drive process improvement and efficiency by thoughtfully integrating AI tools into research, analysis, and delivery workflows.
Support Other Impact Needs of the Organization
- Contribute to the Foundation’s internal impact modeling and measurement function, including developing cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit models to support the grantmaking process.
- Build practical models to estimate the impact of the Foundation’s grantmaking and advisory work.
- Support philanthropic partnerships through impact modeling and the development of learning and training content, as needed.
Skillset
- 5+ years of relevant experience in applied research or technical consulting roles.
- Experience in nonprofit, foundation, research, or social impact organizations.
- Excellent critical thinking skills and intellectual curiosity.
- Strong quantitative and qualitative research expertise in the social sciences. Experience with impact evaluation, cost-effectiveness analysis, cost-benefit analyses, or welfare analysis preferred.
- Rigorous coursework or equivalent experience in econometrics, statistics, or causal inference.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
- Proficiency in Excel/Google Sheets and experience with statistical software such as R, Stata, or similar.
- Experience with data visualization tools (Tableau or PowerBI) is a plus.
- Ability to conduct research and analysis independently while collaborating with senior leadership, cross-functional teams, and external partners (e.g., grantees or evaluators).
- Organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
- High emotional intelligence, humility, and commitment to continuous improvement, modeling the Foundation’s CREDIT values in all interactions