Head of Research

HEAD OF RESEARCH & ANALYTICS Department/Function: Research & Analytics Reports To: Partners

Location:
Abuja Employment Type: [Full-time / Permanent]

Salary:
₦450,000 – ₦500,000 per month, depending on qualifications and relevant experience 1. JOB PURPOSE The Head of Research & Analytics will provide strategic leadership for the organisation’s research, data analytics, insights, and evidence-based decision-making function. The role is responsible for designing and delivering high-quality research, generating actionable insights from data, developing robust analytical and reporting frameworks, and translating complex information into clear recommendations that support strategic planning, organisational performance, policy development, programmes, and business decisions. The successful candidate will combine strong research expertise with advanced analytical capability and strategic thinking. Beyond producing reports and analyses, the Head of Research & Analytics is expected to establish a high-performing research and analytics function that enables the organisation to better understand its operating environment, identify emerging opportunities and risks, measure impact, and make informed decisions. 2.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Research Strategy & Leadership
- Develop and implement the organisation’s research strategy, agenda, priorities, and annual research plan.
- Lead the design and execution of primary and secondary research projects from inception through to final reporting and dissemination.
- Identify priority research areas based on organisational objectives, stakeholder needs, industry developments, emerging trends, and strategic priorities.
- Develop appropriate research methodologies, frameworks, questionnaires, surveys, interview guides, data collection instruments, and analytical approaches.
- Ensure research outputs are rigorous, credible, relevant, objective, and fit for purpose.
- Review existing research and external evidence to identify trends, gaps, opportunities, and areas requiring further investigation.
- Develop research briefs, papers, reports, policy briefs, insight reports, and other knowledge products.
- Establish quality standards and review mechanisms for all research outputs. B. Data Analytics & Business Intelligence
- Lead the collection, cleaning, management, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of organisational and research data.
- Develop analytical models, dashboards, scorecards, reports, and visualisations that support management decision-making.
- Analyse quantitative and qualitative data to identify patterns, trends, relationships, opportunities, and risks.
- Translate complex datasets and analytical findings into clear, practical, and actionable insights.
- Establish appropriate data analytics processes, methodologies, and standards across the organisation.
- Identify opportunities to improve the organisation’s use of data for planning, forecasting, performance management, and decision-making.
- Promote the use of data visualisation and business intelligence tools to improve accessibility and understanding of information.
- Ensure the accuracy, consistency, reliability, and integrity of data used for analysis and reporting. C. Strategic Insights & Decision Support
- Provide senior management with research and data-driven insights to inform strategic decisions.
- Support organisational strategy development, planning, performance management, and evaluation through evidence-based analysis.
- Monitor relevant industry, economic, social, policy, market, and organisational trends and assess their potential implications.
- Translate research findings and analytical outputs into strategic recommendations.
- Prepare executive-level presentations, reports, briefing notes, research summaries, and insight papers for management and other stakeholders.
- Proactively identify emerging issues and provide analysis that enables the organisation to anticipate opportunities and challenges. D. Monitoring, Evaluation & Impact Measurement
- Develop appropriate frameworks for monitoring organisational, programme, project, and strategic performance.
- Establish relevant KPIs, indicators, measurement frameworks, and reporting mechanisms.
- Lead or support programme and project evaluations, impact assessments, surveys, and outcome studies.
- Analyse performance data to identify gaps, areas of improvement, and opportunities for increased impact.
- Track the implementation and outcomes of key initiatives and provide evidence-based recommendations.
- Develop mechanisms for capturing lessons learned and using findings to improve future programmes, projects, and organisational interventions. E. Team Leadership & Capacity Development
- Lead and manage the research and analytics function, ensuring clear objectives, responsibilities, deliverables, and performance expectations.
- Supervise, mentor, coach, and develop members of the research and analytics team.
- Build a culture of analytical thinking, intellectual curiosity, research excellence, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Identify skills and capability gaps within the team and recommend appropriate training and development initiatives.
- Allocate research and analytical assignments based on team members’ competencies and development needs.
- Establish appropriate review and quality assurance processes for the team’s work.
- Promote collaboration between the research and analytics function and other departments. F. Stakeholder & Partnership Management
- Build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders relevant to the organisation’s research and analytics objectives.
- Collaborate with senior management, business units, programme teams, and other internal stakeholders to understand information and analytical needs.
- Manage relationships with research institutions, consultants, academics, data providers, industry bodies, development partners, and other relevant stakeholders.
- Identify opportunities for strategic research partnerships and collaborations.
- Represent the organisation at relevant research, analytics, policy, academic, industry, and professional forums where required. G. Data Governance, Research Quality & Ethics
- Establish and maintain appropriate standards for research methodology, data quality, documentation, storage, confidentiality, and reporting.
- Ensure research and analytics activities are undertaken in accordance with applicable ethical, privacy, data protection, and regulatory requirements.
- Promote responsible and ethical collection, use, analysis, storage, and dissemination of data.
- Maintain appropriate documentation of research methodologies, datasets, analytical assumptions, and findings.
- Ensure that research conclusions and recommendations are appropriately supported by evidence. 3. KEY DELIVERABLES The successful candidate will be expected to deliver:
- An effective research and analytics strategy aligned with organisational priorities.
- Annual and project-specific research plans.
- High-quality primary and secondary research projects.
- Reliable and insightful research reports, analytical reports, briefing papers, and publications.
- Management dashboards, performance reports, and data visualisations.
- Actionable insights and recommendations to support strategic decision-making.
- Robust monitoring, evaluation, and impact measurement frameworks.
- Improved data quality, analytics processes, and reporting systems.
- Timely identification and analysis of emerging trends, risks, and opportunities.
- Evidence demonstrating the contribution of research and analytics to organisational decisions and outcomes.
- Effective development and performance of the research and analytics team. 4. QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE Minimum Qualifications
- A Master’s degree in Research Methods, Data Analytics, Statistics, Economics, Mathematics, Business Analytics, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Public Policy, or another relevant discipline.
- Minimum of 5 years’ relevant professional experience in research, data analytics, business intelligence, insights, monitoring and evaluation, policy research, consulting, or a closely related field. Preferred Qualifications
- A PhD in a relevant discipline is a plus.
- Relevant professional certifications in data analytics, research, monitoring and evaluation, business intelligence, project management, or a related field will be an advantage. Relevant Experience The ideal candidate should demonstrate experience in several of the following areas:
- Leading or managing research projects.
- Designing research methodologies and analytical frameworks.
- Conducting quantitative and qualitative research.
- Analysing and interpreting complex datasets.
- Developing dashboards, reports, and data visualisations.
- Providing strategic insights to senior management.
- Monitoring and evaluating programmes, projects, or organisational performance.
- Managing research teams or analytical functions.
- Translating research findings into practical recommendations.
- Working with senior stakeholders and external research or technical partners. Candidates with 7 or more years of relevant experience and demonstrated leadership of research and/or analytics functions will be particularly advantageous. 5. TECHNICAL & PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES The successful candidate should possess strong capabilities in:
- Research design and methodology.
- Quantitative and qualitative research.
- Statistical analysis.
- Data management and interpretation.
- Advanced data analytics.
- Data visualisation.
- Business intelligence.
- Monitoring and evaluation.
- Report and research writing.
- Strategic analysis and insight generation.
- Project management.
- Presentation and communication of complex information. Technology & Analytical Tools Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel is expected. Experience with one or more of the following will be an advantage:
- Power BI
- Tableau
- SQL
- SPSS
- R
- Python
- Stata
- Other relevant research, statistical, data analytics, or business intelligence tools. The organisation should assess candidates based on demonstrated analytical capability rather than requiring proficiency in every tool listed above. 6. LEADERSHIP & BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES The successful candidate should demonstrate:
- Strategic thinking: Ability to connect research and data insights to broader organisational objectives.
- Critical thinking: Ability to interrogate information, challenge assumptions, and draw sound conclusions.
- Intellectual curiosity: Strong interest in understanding issues, identifying patterns, and discovering new insights.
- Analytical thinking: Ability to break complex problems into manageable components and develop evidence-based solutions.
- Attention to detail: High level of accuracy in research, analysis, interpretation, and reporting.
- Communication: Ability to communicate complex research and analytical findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
- Leadership: Ability to establish direction, motivate a team, delegate effectively, and drive performance.
- Problem-solving: Ability to identify issues and develop practical, evidence-based solutions.
- Stakeholder management: Ability to build productive relationships and influence decision-making through credible insights.
- Integrity and professionalism: Commitment to objectivity, confidentiality, research ethics, and responsible use of data.
- Collaboration: Ability to work effectively across functions and with diverse stakeholders.
- Adaptability: Ability to respond effectively to changing organisational priorities and emerging information needs. 7. KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS Performance in the role will be assessed against, among others:
- Research Delivery
- Timely and successful delivery of approved research projects.
- Quality, relevance, credibility, and usefulness of research outputs.
- Data & Analytics
- Accuracy and reliability of analytical outputs.
- Effectiveness and usability of dashboards and management reports.
- Improvements in organisational data quality and analytical processes.
- Strategic Impact
- Extent to which research and analytical insights inform management decisions.
- Quality and practicality of recommendations provided to senior leadership.
- Identification of emerging trends, risks, and opportunities.
- Monitoring & Evaluation
- Effectiveness of performance measurement frameworks.
- Quality and timeliness of programme/project evaluations.
- Evidence of improved organisational learning and impact measurement.
- Team Performance
- Achievement of team objectives and deliverables.
- Staff development, mentoring, and capability building.
- Effectiveness of collaboration across departments.
- Stakeholder Management
- Quality of relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Successful delivery of research partnerships and collaborations where applicable. 8. IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE The ideal candidate is an experienced researcher and data analytics professional who combines academic and technical rigour with strong business and strategic judgement. They should be capable of moving beyond data collection and report preparation to identify what the data means, why it matters, and what the organisation should do about it. The successful candidate should have the intellectual depth to lead rigorous research, the technical capability to analyse and interpret complex information, and the leadership maturity to establish and manage a high-performing research and analytics function. A candidate with a strong research background, advanced analytical capabilities, excellent communication skills, and demonstrated experience influencing senior-level decision-making will be particularly well suited to the role. 9. REMUNERATION & EMPLOYMENT DETAILS

Salary:
₦450,000 – ₦500,000 per month. Final remuneration will be determined based on the candidate’s qualifications, depth of relevant experience, demonstrated competencies, and the organisation’s compensation structure. APPLICATION PROFILE We are seeking an accomplished Head of Research & Analytics with a minimum of five years’ relevant experience and at least a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline. The ideal candidate will bring strong expertise in research, data analytics, strategic insights, and evidence-based decision-making, with a PhD considered an added advantage. The successful candidate will lead the organisation’s research and analytics function, deliver high-quality research and analytical outputs, develop actionable insights, and support senior management in making informed strategic decisions. Candidates should possess strong analytical, research, communication, leadership, and stakeholder-management capabilities, with experience using relevant data analytics and visualisation tools. The role offers a monthly salary of ₦450,000–₦500,000, subject to qualifications and relevant experience. Pay: ₦400,000.00
- ₦500,000.00 per month Work

Location:
In person