Research Lead: Tanzania (Contractor)

ABOUT YLABS

YLabs is a leading global design and research organization designing technologies that amplify youth power, agency, and opportunity. Founded in 2014 at the Harvard Innovation Lab, YLabs partners with young people to co-create inclusive digital products and services that improve their lives. Our design process opens spaces where young people’s ideas can become a reality – where they are the architects of the solutions to their most pressing challenges.

YLabs multidisciplinary team delivers youth-driven innovation and impact at scale. Our team combines expertise in youth-driven design with adolescent health, climate, livelihoods, digital product design, behavioral science, and epidemiology. Based in Rwanda and the USA, we’ve worked in 18 countries to date on projects spanning three focus areas: optimum health and wellness, improved economic opportunity, and increased climate resilience.

Find out more about our projects here: https://www.ylabsglobal.org/work

JOB SUMMARY

We are seeking a Tanzania-based Research Lead (short-term contractor) to support the PEACE (Peer

Educators Against Child Exploitation) project in Tanzania. PEACE aims to generate actionable evidence and youth-led solutions to prevent and respond to peer sexual abuse among children and adolescents. As Research Lead, you will play a critical role in coordinating mixed-methods research (including a large-scale survey and youth-driven design research), supporting ethical approvals, recruiting participants, leading qualitative data collection (interviews, focus groups, and co-design activities), and contributing to analysis and synthesis that informs prototype development and validation. The ideal candidate will have previous experience leading research teams in Tanzania, conducting research on sensitive topics with adolescents and communities, and translating findings into actionable insights to guide program and design decisions.

JOB TYPE

This is an independent contractor (Consultancy) position, based in Tanzania. The anticipated contract duration is up to 6 months (deliverable-based), with an anticipated start date of March 1, 2026.

LOCATION

This is a role based in Tanzania. The successful candidate will be required to conduct field visits up to three project sites/regions in Tanzania (sites to be confirmed during implementation). They must be familiar with local cultures, languages, and logistical dynamics to effectively engage with research participants. All costs related to regional project travel and field work are covered.

PAY RATE

The maximum budget for this 6 months contract is TZS 58,971,941 commensurate with experience. Payments will be made monthly via bank transfer.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Research - 65%

• Support the YLabs team with the development, localization, and testing of research tools (survey instruments and qualitative guides), and support training of local research assistants/youth researchers who will assist with data collection in Tanzania.
• Lead efforts in acquiring ethics clearance from the local institutional review board. This would include compiling and submitting the study protocol, and following up through appropriate channels.
• Coordinate and/or lead qualitative interviews, focus groups, and youth-driven design research sessions with adolescents, caregivers, educators, service providers, and other key stakeholders to understand drivers of peer sexual abuse and prevention/response needs.
• Oversee participant recruitment and field execution to achieve study targets, including contributions toward a large-scale survey (target 1,000 youth respondents) and youth co-design engagement (target 120 adolescents across three sites).
• Ensure accurate, high-quality, and timely data collection and secure data management in line with approved ethical protocols and safeguarding standards.
• Proactively recommend adaptations to the research approach based on emerging evidence and field realities.

Analysis - 35%

• Support in reviewing transcriptions and translations of qualitative data for accuracy (you will not be responsible for transcription or translation).
• Contribute to mixed-methods analysis and synthesis, developing actionable insights to inform youth-led prototype concepts and validation plans.
• Support integration of research findings into shareable formats, including reports, briefs, presentations, and learning products for stakeholders.
• Co-facilitate shareback sessions with partners and stakeholders to communicate learnings from the research.

YOU ARE:

• Currently based in Tanzania
• Experienced in conducting research on sensitive topics such as sexual violence, child protection, and/or sexual and reproductive health, particularly with adolescents and other vulnerable groups
• Proactive in recommending how to adapt the research approach based on evidence
• An excellent collaborator who understands working with a diverse, multi-cultural team across time zones
• Adaptable to diverse field conditions including rural and hard-to-reach areas
• Able to communicate succinctly to non-academic audiences about research findings and their relevance
• Able to travel to and stay in rural areas of Tanzania for up to 7 days at a time

YOU HAVE:

• 5 or more years of experience leading research studies (qualitative and/or mixed-methods), particularly interviews, focus groups, and community-based research activities
• Experience in understanding and applying trauma-informed research techniques to support high-quality data collection about sensitive subjects
• Demonstrated experience turning research findings into actionable insights to guide programmatic or design decisions
• Demonstrated ability to recruit research participants, especially adolescents and youth
• Knowledge of local cultural norms and gender norms in Tanzania
• Fluency in English and Swahili. Fluency in other languages spoken in Tanzania is a plus.

DESIRABLE:

• Masters degree or PhD in a related field (Public health, anthropology, gender, psychology, social work, etc)
• Previous research experience on projects related to child protection, violence prevention, and/or adolescent health is highly desirable
• Experience in community-based and/or participatory research and facilitation with vulnerable populations, including young people, is highly desirable
• Experience with youth-driven design, co-design, and rapid prototyping methods is a plus
  
  

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

YLabs recognizes the effort that goes into submitting an application; all applications received during the posting period will be reviewed, and if your qualifications meet our needs , you will be notified of your application status once the hiring process begins. All YLabs offers of employment are conditional on satisfactory background check and criminal record clearances. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

YLabs is committed to building teams and policies that promote equity, justice, and belonging at work. We strongly encourage people from all cultures, races, educational backgrounds, socio-economic classes, sexual orientations, age, gender, and physical abilities to apply. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, familial status, marital status, caregiver status, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.