What does the new data landscape require of staff?

Most RTI International staff have a fundamental understanding of how data can be used and how it’s collected, Jon Herstein, international human resources operations director and human resources business partner at RTI, told Devex. Read: Data for development: The talent needed now Many development organizations are already jumping on the big data bandwagon when it comes to hiring, but RTI can already rely on staff who specialize in survey methodology and data analysis outside of their international development group. They’ve been able to utilize this expertise when developing mobile data collection instrument Tangerine, he noted, an app that records data from early grade reading and mathematics assessments. It’s not as important that everyone have an understanding of data analysis, but an appreciation of how and why data can be used should be standard, Herstein said. This plays out not only in program evaluation and impact assessment, but being able to look at the universe of metadata to identify successful innovations that may have been unintentional consequences of work you’ve done. Whether you’re a seasoned expert or budding development professional — check out more news, analysis and advice online to guide your career and professional development, and subscribe to Doing Good to receive top international development career and recruitment news every week