Data Science Intern

About MSF USA | Doctors Without Borders

Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an independent international organization that provides medical care to the people who need it most. The organization cares for people affected by conflict, disease outbreaks, disasters, and social exclusion in more than 70 countries. MSF offers medical humanitarian assistance solely based on need, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or politics. Our international project teams include medical, logistical, and administrative staff, most of them hired locally and working with their own communities. Our actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of independence, impartiality, and neutrality. We also bear witness and speak out about the experiences of our colleagues and patients.

MSF USA is one of 24 sections supporting the global movement, primarily through staff recruitment, fundraising, advocacy, and communications. We welcome candidates who bring a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences to join us in working toward MSF's social mission.

ROLE OVERVIEW

As a Data Science Intern with MSF-USA's Workforce Intelligence & Strategy Unit, you'll play an active role in transforming complex workforce data into clear, actionable insights that support evidence-based decision-making across the organization. You'll work closely with analysts and data scientists to strengthen our reporting and visualization capabilities in Power BI, helping us better understand and plan for our workforce needs.

DEPARTMENT ACCOUNTABILITIES

Organizational Culture & Create a Safe Space

Set and drive transparent goals, targets and ADEI&B initiatives that yield the most significant, scalable, quantifiable, and sustained impact for a more human-centered, engaged, and productive workplace.; building a culture that fosters trust, collaboration high performance, respect, and belonging among diverse teams and peoples.

Performance Management & Talent Development-

Develop and implement policies and processes that provide an integrated, structured approach to individual development planning, performance goal setting, performance feedback, and formal appraisal to meet business needs and to support individuals in realizing their potential. The review is done one time per year after which decisions are taken on whether the employee's pay should be changed or increased.

Employee Engagement

Create a workplace culture that is engaging and motivating for employees. This involves creating opportunities for employees to connect with each other, providing professional development opportunities, and creating a positive work environment.

Compliance and HR Operations

Execute and manage P&C operations using predetermined protocols and procedures to achieve specified operational performance standards.

Compensation & Benefits Review

Designed and administered compensation and benefits packages for staff. This includes setting salaries, providing health insurance and other benefits and managing payroll..

Talent Acquisitions

Fill permanent or temporary positions within an organization by attracting, shortlisting, selecting, hiring, appointing, and integrating the best-qualified candidates in a timely and cost-effective manner.

Payroll Administration

Carry out the payroll administration processes required to ensure that employees are paid correctly at the right time.

ROLES SPECIFIC OUTCOMES

By the end of the internship, the Data Science Intern will have :

• Designed and delivered at least one interactive Power BI dashboard that visualizes key workforce metrics and trends.
• Improved data reliability and consistency by identifying and resolving data quality issues across multiple sources (e.g., HRIS, recruitment, and survey data).
• Developed and documented data models and DAX measures to support automated reporting and self-service analytics.
• Produced clear visual and written summaries that connect data findings to actionable recommendations for People & Culture leadership.
• Streamlined or documented data transformation and refresh processes for recurring Power BI reports.
• Gained hands-on experience with data governance, visualization design, and applied workforce analytics in a complex, mission-driven environment.

COMPLEXITY AND PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS

The intern will work with complex, multi-source workforce datasets that require a strong analytical mindset and attention to detail. The role involves identifying and resolving data quality issues, designing data models that balance accuracy with usability, and translating technical findings into clear, actionable insights. The intern must be able to troubleshoot data and visualization challenges independently, think critically about underlying data structures and business questions, and propose creative solutions to improve reporting efficiency and impact.

BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES

THOUGHT : How MSF USA staff understand the organization, manage complexity, and contribute by creating the new and different.

People Focus

Builds strong relationships and delivers solutions geared to aiding others. Solicits feedback and data; conveys a clear understanding of the level of service the team is providing; takes action when standards are not met by team; aligns processes with organizational needs.

Manages Complexity

Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems. Consistently looks at complex issues from many angles; obtains a rich and deep understanding; swiftly cuts to the core issue; skillfully separates root causes from symptoms.

Global Perspective

Takes a broad view when approaching issues, using a global lens. Shows global thinking at work; adjusts organizational practices to meet the unique needs of different regions or countries. Uses a broad perspective when addressing issues and challenges.

Cultivates Innovation

Creates new and better ways for the organization to be successful. Approaches professional work in unique or innovative ways. Offers original ideas. Appreciates others' creative ideas and solutions and provides helpful input to enhance them.

Strategic Mindset

Sees ahead to future possibilities and translates them into breakthrough strategies.

RESULTS : MSF USA staff achieve results by cultivating a forward-thinking environment that produces solutions for changing stakeholder needs.

Drives Results

Consistently achieves results, even under tough circumstances. Regularly pushes self to achieve outstanding outcomes; consistently establishes bold goals for own performance; is passionate about excellent results and significant contributions. Shows great tenacity to complete goals / initiatives in a timely way.

Ensures Accountability

Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments.

PEOPLE : MSF USA staff understand their impact on others through collaboration and inclusion of different perspectives to achieve common goals.

Collaborates

Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives. Readily involves others to accomplish goals; stays in touch and shares information; discourages "us versus them" thinking; shows appreciation for others' ideas and input.

Communicates Effectively

Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. Listens attentively and takes an interest. Keeps others well informed; conveys information clearly, concisely, and professionally when speaking or writing.

Values Differences

Recognizes the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization. Confronts stereotyping and offensive comments promptly. Consistently behaves with great sensitivity toward differences in cultural norms, expectations, and ways of communicating.

Builds Effective Teams

Builds strong-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals.

Manages Conflict

Handles conflict situations effectively, with a minimum of noise.

Builds Networks

Effectively builds formal and informal relationship networks inside and outside the organization.

Drives Vision and Purpose

Paints a compelling picture of the vision and strategy that motivates others to action.

SELF : MSF USA staff demonstrate self-awareness by having an open mindset and by continuously seeking opportunities to learn, grow, and improve.

Instills Trust

Gains the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity. Models honesty and authenticity and encourages others to be up front with one another. Demonstrates reliability and places a strong emphasis on the team meeting its commitments. Fairly represents others' positions.

Manages Ambiguity

Operates effectively, even when things are not certain or the way forward is not clear. Responds effectively to unclear situations, seeks to resolve ambiguity and make progress. Seeks guidance on how to adapt to changes, responds with appropriate composure and effectiveness.

Situational Adaptability

Adapts approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations. Serves as an example of adaptability and provides guidance and support to help others adapt to new situations. Considers the needs of clients, constituents, and the organization; shifts priorities appropriately.

Being Resilient

Rebounds from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations.

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

Plans and Aligns

Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with MSF-USA goals.

Financial Acumen

Interprets and applies understanding of key financial indicators to make better business decisions.

Tech Savvy

Anticipating and adopting innovations in organizational digital and technology applications.

Data Collection and Analysis

The ability and skill to determine and analyze trends from data that is collected to assist in compiling reports that will help in decision-making.

Project Management Skills

The ability and skill to plan and manage small project work assignments within desired cost, time and quality parameters.

Presentation and Written Communication Skills

Adapts approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations. Serves as an example of adaptability and provides guidance and support to help others adapt to new situations. Considers the needs of clients, constituents, and the organization; shifts priorities appropriately.

Organizational Insight

Applying knowledge of MSF-USA and the industry to advance the organization's goals.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

None.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

None

COMPENSATION

$20 per hour

ESTIMATED START DATE

Anticipated for December 2025 / January 2026

DURATION

6 months

HOURS

20 per week

OFFICE LOCATION

New York, NY (Hybrid)

This role is based in our New York office, where most of the team and operational infrastructure are located. Due to current staffing and budget constraints, we're unable to support this position in our DC or California offices.

Equal Opportunity and Accommodations Statement :

MSF-USA is dedicated to creating a diverse, impartial, and inclusive workforce. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, pregnancy status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other differences as per applicable laws.

We also provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities or religious beliefs and practices. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact us at recruitment@newyork.msf.org.

We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented communities in the Humanitarian Aid sector to apply.