Research Manager

Background

Addis Economic Research (AER) is a research consulting firm based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. AER is actively engaged in undertaking a wide range of economic research aimed at informing better policy and decision-making. AER provides three major services: research and data analysis, survey management, and training. To date, AER has completed various studies for a diversified set of national and international stakeholders. AER is composed of professional Economists and social science experts with many years of research and policy advisory experience.

Position Summary

The Research Manager will be responsible for overseeing the design, implementation, and delivery of high-quality research projects. This includes managing research teams, ensuring data quality, supervising analysis, and coordinating client communication. The role requires strategic leadership, technical expertise, and effective team coordination. The Research Manager will work closely with senior management and clients to ensure research outputs are timely, accurate, and policy relevant. Specifically, some of the researcher manager’s primary responsibilities include:

• Serve as a bridge between junior researchers, management and clients during project implementations
• Lead the design, planning, and execution of research projects from inception to completion.
• Develop research instruments, sampling strategies, and timelines in collaboration with clients and management.
• Supervise and coordinate data collection efforts, including training field teams and ensuring quality control.
• Oversee data cleaning, validation, and analysis using statistical software such as Stata, R, or Python.
• Draft and review high-quality research deliverables including reports, policy briefs, and presentations.
• Manage relationships with clients and stakeholders, ensuring clear and timely communication.
• Identify new research opportunities and lead the preparation of proposals and concept notes.
• Provide technical mentorship and supervision to junior researchers and other staff
• Liaise with key government institutions and development partners to ensure policy relevance of research.
• Ensure all research activities comply with ethical guidelines, data protection policies, and internal standards.
• With the management team planning the overall logistic preparation of the different research projects

Qualifications and Requirements

• At least master’s degree or higher in Economics, Development Economics, Agricultural Economics, Statistics, or a closely related field. A bachelor’s or a master’s degree in economics is required.
• A minimum of 5 years of progressive research experience, with at least 2 years in a leadership or management role overseeing research projects.
• Demonstrated expertise in both qualitative and quantitative research methods, including experience designing surveys, managing fieldwork, and conducting data analysis.
• Advanced proficiency in data analysis software such as Stata, R, or Python. Experience with digital data collection platforms (e.g., SurveyCTO, ODK, CSPro) is required.
• Proven track record of producing high-quality research outputs including reports, policy briefs, and academic publications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Proficiency in Amharic is required; knowledge of other local languages is an asset.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, and deliver results under tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated experience in client relationship management, including communication with government partners, and international organizations.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative leadership style; ability to mentor junior researchers and contribute to institutional capacity building.
• Familiarity with ethical research practices, data protection protocols, and institutional research standards.

Remuneration and Benefits:

• Salary: 70,000 – 80,000 depending on experience.
• Monthly transportation allowance
• Monthly communication allowance