Research Analyst Job in Nairobi Kenya - Busara Center for Behavioral Economics

Busara Center for Behavioral Economics 
 

Position: Research Analyst
 

Deadline to Apply: December 10, 2014
 

Start Date: January 12, 2015
 

Location: Nairobi

Summary: The Busara Center for Behavioral Economics is seeking a qualified person for the position of Research Analyst.  Busara serves two primary goals: 

(1) to develop, test, implement cutting edge behavioral science research, and 

(2) to rigorously apply behavioral insights to policy-making and program design to enhance organizational outcomes and effectiveness.

To serve the first goal, Busara conducts behavioral experiments, both in our physical lab setting housed in Nairobi, as well as through our “mobile lab”, which can be deployed to any location in Kenya.

Busara has established a professional lab setting as a resource for researchers to implement dynamic decision making experiments with a unique subject pool. 

Respondents are recruited from the informal settlements of Nairobi and then randomly selected and invited for sessions at the center.  Experiments range from simple decision-making tasks to complex political role-playing games.
 

To pursue the second goal, Busara also engages directly with partners to enhance program outcomes by integrating insights from the behavioral evidence base. In this capacity, Busara can work on larger scale client-based experiments, high-level policy advising, and capacity building efforts.

The position offers an opportunity to gain first-hand field management experience in an organization undertaking cutting-edge development research. 

The Research Analyst will work directly with the Busara-Kenya team, but also with the academic leadership housed at Princeton University, and any researchers or clients developed during their work period. Past clients have included Duke, MIT, Harvard, University College London, UC Berkeley, IFPRI, Stanford, the World Bank, among others.

Responsibilities:
 

The Research Analyst will work closely with the Busara-Kenya Office and occasionally directly with researchers (academic researchers) to perform a variety of tasks including, but not limited to:

• General logistics planning, assisting with project design, aiding in designing survey questionnaires
• Conducting focus groups, running pilot exercises
• Introducing projects to and negotiating  with  partner organizations
• Analyze and synthesize research findings to develop insights and recommendations for clients
• Checking and verifying data, preliminary data cleaning, assisting in the writing of project reports and policy memos

The Research Analyst will be based in Nairobi, with occasional travel within Kenya and in the region.

Qualifications and Experience:
 

Required Qualifications:       

• A Bachelor’s degree in economics, social sciences, public policy, or related fields. Other fields will be considered.
• Excellent management and organizational skills along with some preliminary quantitative skills
• Extensive experience managing field operations in Kenya
• Fluency and excellent communication skills in English
• Interest and experience working in a fast-paced working environment
• Flexible, self-motivating, able to manage multiple tasks efficiently, a team player
• Demonstrated ability to manage high-level relationships with partner organizations

Desired Qualifications:

• Familiarity with randomized controlled trials preferred
• Familiarity with and interest in behavioral economics preferred

To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter to jobs@busaracenter.org and ensure that the subject line reads: “Research Analyst REF NO: BU-2014-11-12”

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Deadline to apply is December 10, 2014.