YLabs Seeks Senior Research Specialist: Advancing Youth-Led Innovation Across Africa(2026)

YLabs, a globally recognised design and research organisation, is inviting applications for a Senior Research Specialist (Contractor) to support its youth-centred innovation work across Africa. This 12-month consultancy offers an opportunity to contribute to impactful research that informs programs shaping education, employment, and climate resilience outcomes for young people.

Operating at the intersection of research, behavioural science, and human-centred design, YLabs continues to position young people not as passive recipients of interventions, but as active co-creators of solutions that affect their lives.

About YLabs

Founded in 2014 at the Harvard Innovation Lab, YLabs is dedicated to designing technologies and systems that amplify youth agency and opportunity. The organisation collaborates directly with young people to co-design digital tools and services that respond to real-world challenges.

With teams and partners spanning more than 18 countries, YLabs focuses its work on three major impact areas:

• Improving health and wellbeing
• Expanding economic opportunities
• Strengthening climate resilience

Its approach is grounded in participatory design, ensuring that youth perspectives are embedded in every stage of research, innovation, and implementation.

Role Overview

The Senior Research Specialist will lead research activities for high-impact projects across Africa, contributing to the design, execution, and analysis of both qualitative and quantitative studies. The role is fully remote within Africa but requires flexibility for travel to field sites, including rural and hard-to-reach communities.

This is a 12-month consultancy with monthly payments based on approved deliverables. The expected start date is 1 August 2026.

The position is ideal for experienced researchers who are comfortable working independently in dynamic environments while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams across regions.

Key Responsibilities

Research Leadership and Design

The specialist will take the lead in developing and implementing research strategies that align with organisational and donor priorities. This includes designing methodologies that are rigorous, adaptable, and appropriate for diverse African contexts.

A key part of the role involves building research capacity within regional teams through training, mentorship, and technical support.

Mixed-Methods Research

The role requires strong expertise in both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Responsibilities include:

• Conducting interviews, focus group discussions, and stakeholder engagements
• Managing and analysing large datasets using statistical tools
• Applying software such as SPSS, Stata, R, or NVivo
• Translating complex findings into clear, actionable insights

The ability to connect data-driven evidence with real-world implications is central to success in this position.

Innovation and Insight Generation

Beyond traditional research, the specialist will apply human-centred and participatory approaches to uncover emerging trends in youth employment, entrepreneurship, education, and financial inclusion.

These insights will directly inform programme design, strategy development, and innovation pathways.

Knowledge Management and Reporting

The role includes producing high-quality outputs such as:

• Research reports and policy briefs
• Strategic presentations for stakeholders
• Internal learning and documentation materials

The specialist will ensure that findings are systematically integrated into organisational knowledge systems to support continuous learning.

Stakeholder Engagement

The position requires close collaboration with internal teams, academic partners, funders, and development stakeholders. The specialist will also contribute to donor reporting by translating research outcomes into compelling evidence-based narratives.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)

Working alongside MEL teams, the consultant will help integrate research insights into monitoring frameworks, strengthening evaluation systems and supporting adaptive programme improvement.

Project Management

Strong organisational and coordination skills are essential. The specialist will manage multiple research activities simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery of outputs and effective communication with senior leadership.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is an experienced research professional with a strong background in applied, mixed-methods research, particularly within development contexts involving young people.

Key requirements include:

• At least 5 years of relevant research experience
• Experience in donor-funded research projects
• Strong proficiency in statistical and qualitative analysis tools
• Proven ability to translate research into actionable recommendations
• Experience working with youth populations
• Strong communication and project management skills
• Ability to work independently in complex field environments
• Willingness to travel across Africa

Fluency in English is required, with additional regional languages considered an advantage.

Preferred Qualifications

The following qualifications will strengthen an application:

• Master’s degree or PhD in Development Studies, Economics, or a related field
• Experience in youth economic empowerment research
• Familiarity with participatory design and co-creation methods
• Experience working with vulnerable adolescents or marginalised groups
• Background in innovation-driven or design-led research approaches

Compensation and Contract Terms

This consultancy offers an annual gross compensation ranging from USD $35,460 to $55,896, depending on experience and qualifications. Payments will be made monthly based on approved deliverables.

The role is remote but includes travel across Africa for field-based research activities.

Why This Opportunity Matters

YLabs sits at the forefront of youth-centred innovation, combining research, design, and technology to address some of the most pressing challenges facing young people today.

This role goes beyond traditional research positions by directly contributing to the design of programmes, policies, and digital solutions that influence real-world outcomes at scale.

For experienced researchers passionate about impact-driven work, this consultancy offers a rare opportunity to shape evidence-based solutions that strengthen youth livelihoods, expand opportunity, and build long-term resilience across African communities.

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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.