Research Analyst

Role overview

Laterite is hiring a Research Analyst to join its Sierra Leone office in Freetown. The position suits someone with solid data analysis capabilities and a strong interest in social and economic research. In this role, you will contribute to research planning, data analysis, support for project delivery, and coordination of field activities in a collaborative, fast-moving setting.

About the organisation

Laterite is a research, data, and analytics company focused on complex development issues. Its work spans partnerships with universities, global think tanks, international NGOs, multilateral donors, and government ministries. Clients include the World Bank, TechnoServe, the Mastercard Foundation, and others. The organisation operates in the Netherlands, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, and Peru, with more than 90 full-time employees and over 2,000 enumerators. Laterite emphasizes local presence, long-term trust, and a team culture that gives people room to take ownership and grow.

Work environment

You will join the Sierra Leone team in a high-trust, low-bureaucracy environment where individual accountability matters. The role is not heavily supervised, so you will be expected to use sound judgment, help field teams solve problems, and contribute to improving the systems around you. Laterite began its Sierra Leone operations in 2023, and the Freetown office is the company’s first base in West Africa. The office builds on more than 12 years of experience in research and data collection and has been using innovative methods to study education outcomes in the region. The team in Freetown currently has four members.

What you will do

• Support ethical review processes, research design, and the creation of research tools and instruments.
• Carry out quantitative and qualitative analysis of data.
• Prepare parts of client reports and presentation materials.
• Maintain communication with clients and internal teams on project status and progress.
• Program survey tools in SurveyCTO and other ODK-based systems.
• Work with field teams to build training content and assist with enumerator training sessions.
• Join field visits to better understand and improve how data is collected.
• Track, clean, and check incoming survey data for accuracy and completeness.
• Coordinate with field staff to address data quality concerns.
• Support statistical analysis and help interpret results.
• Contribute to high-quality consultancy-style reports and insight generation.

What the employer is looking for

• A completed Master’s degree in Economics, Public Health, Development, or a closely related discipline.
• At least one year of relevant professional experience; internships, dissertation work, or experience in an academic research group may also be considered if they align with the role.
• Strong quantitative analysis ability and working knowledge of Stata.
• Hands-on experience with ODK-based tools such as SurveyCTO.
• Strong written and spoken English communication skills.
• Organizational ability, interpersonal skills, self-motivation, and comfort working in a collaborative environment are especially welcome.
• Prior experience in West Africa is an advantage.

What you can develop

• Research design methods, including sampling and impact evaluation.
• Project management and communication with clients.
• More advanced statistical analysis, coding, and interpretation techniques.
• Report writing and presentation delivery in a consultancy setting.

Compensation and benefits

• Gross monthly pay of USD 2,764, with the final grade determined by experience and interview performance.
• Medical insurance.
• Pension contribution.
• 21 days of annual leave.
• An annual learning allowance of up to USD 1,000 per person.
• 10 days of paid time off each year for professional learning.
• Remote working options in line with the company’s remote work policy.

Application process

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. The selection process starts with a 30-minute verbal reasoning and quantitative assessment that requires no special preparation. Candidates who move forward will be asked to submit a CV and cover letter through the employer’s application system. Shortlisted applicants will then complete a technical exercise involving statistical analysis using Stata, R, or Python, followed by a three-round interview process. For queries about the role or application process, you can contact the employer directly by email.

Additional information

The contract is indefinite. The role is based in Freetown, Sierra Leone, and remote work is available according to the company policy. The opportunity is open to candidates who can demonstrate the required academic background, technical ability, and relevant experience for research-focused development work.