Research Associate
Kigali, Rwanda
Requirements in a nutshell
Education: Master’s degree in Economics, Public Health, Development or related fields with a strong component of quantitative data analysis
Languages: English
Must-have: Quantitative data analysis skills in Stata
Location: Kigali, Rwanda
Laterite is a data, research, and technical advisory firm specialized in complex development challenges. We work with universities, global think tanks, international NGOs, multilateral donor organizations, and government ministries and agencies. Our clients include, for example, the World Bank, USAID, TechnoServe, Promundo, the Mastercard Foundation, and several UN agencies.
We currently have offices in the Netherlands, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. The team brings together more than 70 full time local and international staff, as well as 1,000+ enumerators across all countries. We are proud to be a culturally diverse organization, and we welcome applications from groups currently under-represented in our team. Learn more: www.laterite.com
We work in socio-economic development research projects. We believe that impact is a long-term endeavour that requires being embedded in the local context. Delivering high-quality research requires building local teams and data collection systems, knowing the country, and establishing close working relationships.
One of Laterite’s key strategic goals is to create a collaborative and rewarding working environment for our staff, where every team member feels engaged, represented, and heard. Laterite is committed to create opportunities for learning and career development within the team and across our offices.
Laterite is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age or veteran status.
Job Description & Key Responsibilities
As a Research Associate, based in our Kigali office, you will:
- Manage one or two research projects in Rwanda: coordinating the project team; ensuring implementation according to protocols; managing to the budget and timeline; and communicating with clients.
- Play a hands-on role in all steps of the research process: designing the technical approach; developing protocols, research instruments, and sampling strategies; monitoring data quality; conducting quantitative and qualitative analysis; writing reports; and presenting to clients.
- Contribute to the development of new business: proposing research ideas; writing technical proposals; and pricing.
- Improve the way we work: researching and piloting new methodologies and technologies; standardizing and automating processes for data collection and analysis; and supporting internal operations like recruitment and IT.
You will develop skills and experience in:
- Technical design of research projects
- Data analysis
- Business development
- Managing a portfolio of research projects
Profile
Our ideal candidates are passionate about social and economic research in East Africa. They can quickly grasp research concepts and structure their technical approach to a problem. They have strong analytical and interpersonal skills, self-motivation, and a drive to flourish in a fast-paced environment, where timelines can often be unpredictable. Our candidates have project coordination experience and can manage activities involving varying levels of stakeholders and multiple team members. They are willing to develop their professional skills, contribute to the growth of an organization dedicated to social impact, and thrive in an innovative and collaborative organization.
Requirements:
- A master’s degree in Economics, Statistics, Public Health, Public Policy or a related field.
- At least three years of professional experience in research (whether in a project/program or academic setting).
- Strong analytical skills, experience working with quantitative data, and proficiency in Stata.
- Experience communicating with external stakeholders or in a client-facing role.
- Solid project management skills and experience coordinating projects with multiple components or teams.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
In addition, we value:
- Experience working with primary data (data collection or cleaning and analysis).
- Experience with Open Data Kit (ODK) or an ODK-based platform such as SurveyCTO or CommCare.
- Previous work experience in East Africa.
- Research experience in one of Laterite’s core sectors – education, youth and labor, public health, agriculture or urbanization.
- Knowledge of Python and/or R
Application Process
The first step is to complete a 30-minute numeracy and literacy assessment for which no special preparation is needed. Link to assessment: https://form.jotform.com/222283949550563
Successful candidates will then be invited to upload their CV and cover letter via our online application system. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply ASAP. For more information about how rolling applications work and about our recruitment process in general, please refer to our Careers page: laterite.com/careers. Questions can be sent to jobs@laterite.com.
