Data Specialist, Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (Contingent Upon Funding)

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

Salary Range: $58,000 - $80,000 per year

Summary:

The Data Specialist will play a vital role in supporting the effective administration and evaluation of the U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program. This position is responsible for managing data systems, ensuring data accuracy and security, generating reports for both internal stakeholders and the U.S. Department of State, and contributing to the program’s monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) activities. The Data Specialist will work closely with program staff, external evaluators, and technical teams to support data-driven decision-making and federal compliance.

Key Responsibilities:

Data Management & Integrity

• Maintain and update the program’s central database and associated systems used to track applicant, scholar, and alumni information.
• Ensure high standards of data integrity, accuracy, and completeness across all records.
• Perform routine data cleaning, validation, and deduplication.
• Monitor and troubleshoot technical issues related to data imports, exports, or user access.

Reporting & Analytics

• Generate regular and ad hoc reports for the U.S. Department of State, internal leadership, and partner organizations.
• Analyze demographic, geographic, and academic trends among applicants and recipients to support strategic outreach and program design.
• Develop data dashboards and visualizations to communicate program impact and other metrics to non-technical stakeholders.
• Support the preparation of quarterly, annual, and final grant reports in compliance with federal guidelines.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)

• Support ongoing performance monitoring and learning initiatives by managing program indicators and evaluation datasets.
• Collaborate with external evaluation teams to provide necessary data extracts and documentation.
• Assist in the design and administration of post-program surveys, follow-on service tracking, and alumni engagement metrics.
• Integrate feedback loops and learning mechanisms to improve program design and participant outcomes.

System Development & User Support

• Liaise with software vendors and IT specialists to enhance or troubleshoot application and data systems.
• Document data processes, user guides, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Provide technical support and training to staff on data entry, queries, and dashboard tools.
• Ensure that all data collection, storage, and sharing practices comply with FERPA, FISMA, and other applicable privacy and cybersecurity regulations.

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in data science, statistics, information systems, public administration, or a related field.
• Minimum 3 years of professional experience working with large datasets, reporting, and database systems.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and data analysis tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, or similar).
• Experience working with CRM systems, SQL databases, or cloud-based data platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize data into meaningful insights and reports.