Research analyst

Job Title:

Research Analyst

Department:
Research & Insights

Reports To:

Research Director / Head of Research

Location:

Pretoria

Job Type: Full-Time

We are seeking a highly analytical and detail-oriented Research Analyst to join our team. The successful candidate will play a critical role in designing research methodologies, managing fieldwork operations, and analyzing complex datasets to deliver actionable strategic insights to our clients. You will work across the full project lifecycle on a variety of qualitative and quantitative studies, serving clients in both the public sector and commercial markets.

• Research Design & Planning:
  Draft comprehensive research proposals, define sampling frameworks, and develop robust methodologies for bespoke quantitative and qualitative studies.
• Data Collection Management:
  Oversee end-to-end data gathering, including programming electronic survey databases, configuring Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) systems, and coordinating on-the-ground field teams to ensure high-quality data capture.
• Data Processing & Analytics:
  Clean and validate raw data sets, performing keystroke quality checks and resolving technical queries. Utilize statistical software to run cross-tabulations, variance analysis, and significance testing.
• Qualitative Analysis:
  Manage the transcription of verbatim proceedings from focus groups or expert panels, extracting key themes and coding qualitative data for narrative reporting.
• Reporting & Consulting:
  Translate complex statistical findings into clear, visually engaging reports, dashboards, and presentations. Provide evidence-based recommendations and competitive benchmarking to stakeholders.
• Project Administration:
  Assist with agency operations, including drafting comparative vendor quotations, tracking project budgets, and ensuring compliance with all client procurement requirements.

• Education:
  
  Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Economics, Sociology, Public Administration, or a related quantitative field. (A Master’s degree is highly advantageous).
• Experience:
  
  2–4 years of applied experience in a market research, academic research, or consultancy environment.

• Advanced practical experience with statistical analysis software, specifically SPSS (or similar tools like R/STATA).
• Demonstrated ability to program surveys and build databases using CSPro, alongside specialized CATI software platforms.

• Strong grasp of mixed-methods research, capable of handling both large-scale numerical datasets and qualitative interview analysis.

• Exceptional analytical and critical thinking skills with a meticulous approach to data accuracy.
• Strong project management abilities, capable of handling multiple research phases and field teams simultaneously under strict deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to write rigorous proposals and present findings clearly to non-technical audiences.
• A proactive, problem-solving mindset with commercial awareness of consultancy operations.