Research Analyst – Thrive by Five Index (2024 Dataset)
Location: South Africa
Employment type: Full-time, fixed-term (1 year)

DataDrive2030 is seeking a Research Analyst to support the analysis, uptake, and translation of insights from the Thrive by Five Index 2024 – a nationally representative, large-scale dataset on early learning programme quality and child development in South Africa.

The Thrive by Five 2024 dataset is open access and offers a unique opportunity to shape policy, research, and practice across the early childhood development (ECD) sector.

This role is suited to an early-career to mid-level analyst looking to deepen their experience working with large-scale, policy-relevant data and contribute to evidence-based decision-making.

About the role

The Research Analyst will lead advanced quantitative analysis and play a key role in translating findings into actionable, evidence-based outputs for diverse audiences – including government decision-makers, researchers, and ECD stakeholders.

Working closely with the Research Manager and the Insights Lab, the role combines technical analysis, knowledge production, and stakeholder engagement to drive dataset use and impact.

Key responsibilities

1. Data analysis and technical outputs

• Clean, manage, and analyse Thrive by Five data using R or Stata
• Lead and independently manage analytical processes
• Ensure reproducibility through clear documentation and structured workflows

2. Knowledge production and insight translation

• Lead development of policy briefs on priority topics
• Contribute to academic papers, technical reports, and insight briefs
• Synthesise quantitative findings with relevant literature and contextual evidence

3. Dataset engagement and academic uptake

• Develop tutorials (including video content) on accessing and using the dataset via DataFirst
• Present findings at universities, research forums, and conferences
• Support monitoring of dataset uptake and act as a liaison with DataFirst

Qualifications and experience

• Master’s degree in Economics, Social Sciences, Statistics, Development Studies, or a related field
• 3–5+ years’ experience in quantitative data analysis
• Proven experience producing high-quality written outputs (policy briefs, reports, academic papers)
• Ability to communicate complex concepts to non-technical audiences

Skills and attributes

Technical and analytical

• Advanced proficiency in R or Stata
• Strong understanding of quantitative methods (e.g., regression analysis, survey data, weighting)
• Experience with large-scale datasets
• Knowledge of reproducible research practices (documentation, version control)
• Data visualisation skills (e.g., ggplot2, Tableau)

Research and writing

• Excellent analytical writing skills
• Ability to translate data into clear, actionable insights
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality

Stakeholder and project engagement

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Experience presenting to government, academia, or civil society
• Ability to manage multiple workstreams and meet deadlines
• Self-driven and comfortable working independently

Advantageous

• Familiarity with early childhood development (ECD) or education sectors
• Knowledge of the South African policy landscape or public sector data systems

Why this role matters

This role sits at the intersection of data, policy, and practice – turning a nationally representative dataset into insights that can improve early learning outcomes across South Africa.

HOW TO APPLY 

Apply here.

As part of your application, you will be asked to submit:

• A CV
• A short motivation letter
• An example of written work 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with a final deadline of 20 May 2026.