Senior Data & MERL Specialist - Texas

About this role

ABOUT HTI
Human Trafficking Institute (HTI) is reshaping the landscape of the fight against human trafficking and child exploitation, deploying a high-impact model that is stopping traffickers and protecting victims in record numbers. HTI has already made significant strides in decimating trafficking across the globe. As HTI enters a phase of significant growth, this position offers the right person a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in expanding this proven model domestically in the United States and driving historic impact, sustainable transformation, and changed lives in the battle against trafficking.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Senior Data & MERL Specialist - Texas plays a central role in strengthening Human Trafficking Institute’s (HTI) data and monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning capacity across the Texas Program. This position helps shape and execute HTI’s Texas data strategy, manage existing data systems, and inform future investments so they are scalable and capable of supporting program expansion.
The Senior Data & MERL Specialist - Texas develops and maintains high-quality datasets and dashboards, leads survey and indicator tracking, and translates data into actionable insights for internal learning and external reporting to inform strategic decision-making, program effectiveness, accountability, and continuous improvement across HTI’s work in Texas. This position ensures all data processes align with HTI’s Theory of Change, log frame, and data governance standards, including the protection of sensitive and victim-related information. This position is ideal for someone with strong experience in data analytics and MERL who is passionate about leveraging data to drive learning, monitoring, and impact in the anti-trafficking field.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
Data Management and Quality

• Develop and maintain structured databases and data dictionaries, including standard indicator and KPI definitions, to ensure consistency across contexts.

• Ensure Texas KPIs and performance indicators are backed by verifiable, regularly collected data sources for grant, donor, and organization-wide reporting.

• Collect, clean, and consolidate data from external partners, external sources, and internal program activities.

• Coordinate with external partners and internal teams to ensure timely data submissions and quality assurance.

• Partner with county leads to build and maintain strong working relationships with external stakeholders to support reliable data sharing and coordination.

• Manage public information requests, including tracking requests, standardizing responses, and documenting sources.

• Identify opportunities to automate workflows and improve data processes within existing tools.

• Conduct periodic data quality reviews and produce analytical summaries for leadership and donors.

• Ensure compliance with HTI’s data governance, privacy, and security standards when handling sensitive information.

Data Analysis and Visualization

• Analyze quantitative and qualitative data to identify trends and support program decision-making.

• Develop and maintain interactive dashboards and visualizations in Power BI or similar tools.

• Apply descriptive and exploratory analytics to identify emerging patterns and inform program strategy.

• Conduct statistical analyses appropriate to program data, such as pre/post comparisons and comparisons across counties, roles, and time, and communicate results and their limitations clearly.

• Produce analytical summaries for leadership and donors.

Building the Texas Program MERL Function

• Assess current operations and data practices and compare them to the needs of programs.

• Partner with Global MERL Manager to ensure the Texas data program aligns with organizational data and MERL strategy.

• Manage existing MERL systems identify and recommend new systems & tools as needs evolve.

• Manage consultants and vendors in the development of relevant systems & tools.

Learning and Reporting

• Design and maintain monitoring tools for Texas trainings and capacity-building activities, including pre- and post-training surveys, aligned with program learning objectives and Global HTI MERL standards.

• Coordinate Texas learning cycles, including after-action reviews and quarterly reflection sessions, in partnership with the Global MERL Manager.

• Produce accessible visual and narrative summaries for internal learning, donor reporting, and planning discussions.

• Translate findings into actionable recommendations for the Texas team and leadership, and ensure timely responses to reporting, grant, and partner data requirements.

• Present data and findings to external audiences, including partners, county stakeholders, funders, and leadership.

Coordination and Research Assistance

• Collaborate with the Global MERL Manager and Texas team to ensure data activities align with program goals and Theory of Change.

• Contribute Texas data to organization-wide reporting, including the Global KPI Sheet, ensuring consistency with global indicator definitions.

• Provide light assistance to applied research initiatives, including data preparation, descriptive analyses, documentation, and support commissioned evaluations through data provision and partner coordination.

• Identify new data sources, such as public court data and academic partners, to strengthen the Texas evidence base.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING - REQUIRED

• Bachelor’s degree in data science, statistics, computer science, economics, social sciences, or a related field.

• 5-7 years’ experience in data management or analysis.

• Demonstrated hands-on experience cleaning, matching, and managing messy data from multiple sources, with clear documentation of methods.

• Working proficiency in at least one of SQL, R, or Python for repeatable data cleaning and analysis.

• Experience handling confidential or sensitive data in line with privacy and security requirements.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING - PREFERRED

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