Laterite is looking for an experienced professional to provide strategic direction, oversee
research projects, and lead and mentor research teams. This position is based in our office in
Sierra Leone, Freetown.
We are also open to hiring for a Country Director role for candidates with 8+ years of
experience or a Country Manager for candidates with 6+ years of experience.
About Laterite
Laterite is a data, research and analytics 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,
Tanzania, Sierra Leone, and Peru. The team brings together more than 80 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 underrepresented 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.

What you will do:
As a Senior Research Associate, based in our Freetown office, you will:
• Lead a portfolio of impactful research projects, from design to data collection, analysis,
and follow-through.
• Lead research teams to ensure we deliver value for our clients, using rigorous and
innovative research methods.
• Build successful partnerships with clients and stakeholders and establish Laterite as a
trusted partner.
• Mentor our growing research and data teams.
• Contribute to country-level strategic decisions such as which projects to pursue, team
development, and how to increase the impact of our research.
• Support business development and recruitment processes.
As part of Laterite’s management team, you will have a voice in project selection, corporate
strategy, process improvements, and structuring of Laterite’s research agenda. You will serve
as a role model for the team, actively promoting our organizational culture, and helping us to
grow and 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.
What you will bring:
We are looking for an accomplished researcher who combines excellent technical skills with
experience in project and team management.
Our future colleague has:
• A postgraduate degree (master’s or above) in Economics, International Development,
one of Laterite’s core sectors, or a related field with a strong component of quantitative
data analysis
• At least 5 years of work experience in international development, public policy,
economic and social research, or management consulting
• Motivation to work in social and economic research in Ethiopia
• Demonstrated experience in leading and mentoring research teams
• Demonstrated experience in managing complex research projects, involving data
collection and field teams
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• Proficiency in STATA is required. Knowledge of R and/or Python is a plus.
Additionally, we are looking for:
• Solid project management skills to oversee a portfolio of projects at different stages in
the research lifecycle
• An excellent networker with experience in building relationships with clients and
stakeholders from the public and private sectors
• A self-motivated team leader with excellent interpersonal skills who thrives in a fastpaced environment where timelines can be unpredictable

Requirements in a nutshell
Education: Post-graduate degree in Economics, International Development, one of
Laterite’s core sectors, or related field with a strong component of quantitative
data analysis
Experience:

At least 5 years of work experience in international development, public policy,
economic and social research, or management consulting Languages:
English
Must-have: Demonstrated experience in leading and mentoring research teams and in
managing research projects