Research Manager

Research Manager

Kigali – Rwanda

This role is open to Rwandan nationals only

Summary

Laterite is looking for an experienced professional to lead research teams, strategy, and operations in our office in Kigali, Rwanda.

About Laterite 

Laterite is a data, research, and technical advisory firm that helps clients understand and analyze complex development challenges. We provide three types of services:

• Data: comprehensive data collection and data processing solutions
• Research: from the design of large-scale research projects through to analysis
• Advisory: strategic and technical research advice

Laterite works with universities, global think tanks, international NGOs, multilateral donor organizations, and government ministries and agencies. 

Our core activity sectors are public health, agriculture, urbanization & migration, education, and youth & labor. We are also involved in projects with a focus on gender issues.

We believe that impact is a long-term endeavor that requires being embedded in the local context. Delivering high-quality research requires building local teams and data collection systems, understanding the context, establishing close working relationships with key players, and understanding their constraints and motivations.

Laterite’s growing network of offices currently includes Rwanda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and the Netherlands. Our teams bring together more than 60 full time local and international staff in a dynamic and nurturing work environment. We are proud to be a culturally diverse organization. Learn more: www.laterite.com

Job description & key responsibilities

As a Research Manager based in Rwanda you will:

• Oversee the technical delivery and operations of a portfolio of research projects, from design to data collection, analysis, and follow-through.
• Provide technical advice, coaching, and steering for research design, project management, analysis, and reporting to ensure we deliver value for our clients and use rigorous and innovative research methods.
• Manage the country office, including structuring Laterite’s research agenda, contributing to corporate strategy, overseeing process improvements, and financial and personnel management.
• Design and lead training and professional development activities for the research team and the wider Laterite team.
• Build and manage the pipeline of research projects, turning internal research ideas into externally funded projects, and designing evaluations for clients.

As a member of Laterite’s senior management team, you will consult on corporate strategy, business operations, and opportunities for growth. You will serve as a role model for the team, actively promoting our corporate culture, mentoring colleagues, and helping us to achieve our mission as an organization.

Laterite is expanding rapidly, and we are open to the possibility of hiring exceptional candidates at a higher grade.

Profile

We are looking for an accomplished researcher who combines excellent technical skills with management experience.

Our future colleague has:

• Demonstrated experience leading an organization, department, or program, including financial and operational management.
• Direct supervisory experience and demonstrated experience training and mentoring researchers.
• Demonstrated experience designing and overseeing complex research projects.
• Demonstrated experience building business pipelines and nurturing relationships with clients and stakeholders from the public and private sectors.
• Motivation to work in social and economic research in Sub-Saharan Africa
• 5+ years of research or project management experience and at least 2 years in a management role in education, youth, public health, agriculture, and/or urbanization.
• A postgraduate degree (Masters or above) in Economics, Econometrics, Development Research, or in one of Laterite’s core sectors

Additionally, we are looking for:

• A self-motivated team leader with excellent interpersonal skills who thrives in a fast-paced environment where timelines can be unpredictable
• Technical expertise in quantitative or qualitative research methods.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills (in English)
• Proficiency in STATA, R, or Python.

Application Process

We invite you to complete our application form and submit your CV and a cover letter (maximum two pages) describing your experience in leading teams of researchers in developing research projects, as well as your experience in leading an organization, department, or program, including financial and operational management.

We will contact successful applicants to discuss the next steps. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply ASAP.