TaRL Africa Hiring Senior Associate, Research & Data (Remote Across Sub-Saharan Africa)-2026

Professionals passionate about education research, data analysis, and evidence-based policy now have an exciting opportunity to join TaRL Africa as a Senior Associate, Research and Data (ESAR). This remote position offers experienced researchers the chance to contribute to large-scale education initiatives that are improving foundational learning outcomes for millions of children across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Based in Zambia, Kenya, South Africa, or any other Sub-Saharan African country, the role combines rigorous research, data management, program learning, and stakeholder engagement to strengthen education systems across the continent.

About TaRL Africa

TaRL Africa is hosted by Empower Learning Africa, a not-for-profit organization headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. Established through a partnership between Pratham and J-PAL in 2019, TaRL Africa supports governments and organizations in improving children’s foundational literacy and numeracy skills through the evidence-based Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) approach.

Today, the organization works in more than 19 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa and has reached over 7 million children through its education programs.

About the Senior Associate, Research and Data Role

The Senior Associate will be part of the Research, Learning & Evaluation (RLE) team and focus primarily on Eastern and Southern Africa.

The position involves:

• Designing and implementing research studies
• Monitoring large-scale education projects
• Managing data collection and analysis
• Supporting evidence generation for policy decisions
• Collaborating with governments and partner organizations
• Contributing to learning and innovation initiatives

The successful candidate will help strengthen the evidence base that informs educational improvements across the region.

Key Responsibilities

Research Design and Implementation

The role requires leadership in the planning and execution of research projects.

Core responsibilities include:

• Supporting randomized evaluations and implementation research
• Developing research methodologies and study designs
• Creating and piloting surveys and assessment tools
• Programming digital questionnaires using SurveyCTO or KoboCollect
• Managing fieldwork activities and research protocols
• Conducting data quality checks and monitoring implementation
• Preparing reports and presenting findings to stakeholders
• Coordinating with local research partners and survey firms

Candidates will play a critical role in ensuring high-quality data collection and research integrity.

Data Analysis and Knowledge Management

A significant portion of the role focuses on quantitative and qualitative data management.

Responsibilities include:

• Cleaning and analyzing datasets using Stata or R
• Managing research databases and documentation
• Maintaining codebooks and research protocols
• Ensuring compliance with data security and ethical standards
• Supporting interpretation of research findings
• Contributing to policy briefs and academic publications

Strong analytical skills are essential for success in this position.

Supporting Evidence-Based Learning

The Senior Associate will work closely with program teams to ensure that research findings directly influence educational programming.

This includes:

• Translating evidence into practical recommendations
• Supporting innovation and learning laboratories
• Producing reports and presentations for various audiences
• Sharing lessons learned with governments and development partners
• Promoting evidence-based decision-making across the organization

The role offers a unique opportunity to influence education policy and practice across multiple African countries.

Required Qualifications

TaRL Africa is seeking candidates with strong academic and professional backgrounds.

Applicants should possess:

• A Master’s degree in Economics, Statistics, Education, Public Policy, or a related field
• Strong quantitative research expertise
• Experience managing research projects independently
• At least three years of relevant research experience
• Experience with randomized evaluations or mixed-methods studies
• Survey design and field data collection experience
• Strong communication and report-writing abilities

Experience in education research is highly desirable.

Essential Technical Skills

Successful candidates should demonstrate proficiency in:

• Stata or R for statistical analysis
• Quantitative and mixed-methods research
• Data cleaning and management
• SurveyCTO, KoboCollect, or similar survey platforms
• Research reporting and data visualization
• Project management and stakeholder coordination

Knowledge of qualitative research software such as Nvivo is considered an advantage.

Preferred Regional Experience

Candidates with experience working in Eastern or Southern Africa are strongly encouraged to apply.

Knowledge of local languages spoken in:

• Zambia
• Malawi
• Kenya

is considered an added advantage.

The role also requires willingness to travel within Sub-Saharan Africa, with travel estimated at approximately 30 percent of working time.

Why Join TaRL Africa?

The organization offers professionals an opportunity to contribute directly to improving education outcomes across Africa.

Benefits include:

• Fully remote work arrangements
• Meaningful impact on children’s learning outcomes
• Collaboration with leading education researchers
• Exposure to large-scale international research projects
• Professional growth opportunities
• Regional and international networking
• Competitive compensation aligned with local market benchmarks

The organization is also committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity employment.

TaRL Africa’s Core Values

Employees are expected to embody the organization’s values:

• Putting children’s learning first
• Continuous learning and innovation
• Local ownership and sustainable impact
• Respectful collaboration
• Integrity and accountability

These values guide all research, programmatic, and operational activities.

Application Details

Position: Senior Associate, Research and Data (ESAR)

Location: Zambia, Kenya, South Africa, or any other Sub-Saharan African country (Remote)

Department: Research, Learning & Evaluation

Employment Type: Full-Time

Experience Level: Experienced Professional

Application Deadline: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Final Thoughts

The TaRL Africa Senior Associate, Research and Data position is an excellent opportunity for experienced researchers seeking to contribute to educational transformation across Africa. By combining rigorous research, policy influence, and program improvement, the role enables professionals to make a measurable impact on children’s learning outcomes while advancing their own careers in international development and education research.

For candidates with strong quantitative skills, experience managing research projects, and a passion for evidence-based education reform, this position offers a rewarding and impactful career pathway.

APPLY FOR THIS JOB NOW

Join Our WhatsApp Community

Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of  emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.