Senior Associate, Early Years – Human Development

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in South Africa, +1 more country.

📋 Description

• Lead analytical workstreams within client projects by designing methodologies, managing data and evidence, and overseeing outputs from inception to completion.

• Oversee small to medium-sized client projects, including workplans, project finances, coordination of internal and external teams, and overall project administration.

• Conduct and guide both quantitative and qualitative analyses across early years initiatives, encompassing system diagnostics, financing and costing studies, public-private partnership feasibility, workforce analyses, and policy benchmarking.

• Create technical reports, investment cases, policy notes, and presentation decks.

• Clearly and authoritatively present findings to senior audiences.

• Engage directly with clients during working sessions, technical reviews, and in-country engagements.

• Mentor and support junior colleagues in their professional development.

• Contribute to the development of proposals and business initiatives, including methodology sections, workplans, and financial considerations.

• Manage client relationships and lead business development efforts.

• Review the work and outputs produced by junior colleagues.

• Own and oversee team workstreams.

⛳️ Requirements

• Minimum of 3+ years of substantial professional experience in early years (or a related field) consulting, research, government, or international development.

• Proven ability to independently manage analytical workstreams.

• An exceptional degree (top 10% of cohort) in Education, Early Childhood Development, Development Studies, Public Policy, Economics, Statistics, or a related discipline.

• Strong proficiency in Excel.

• Possible proficiency in at least one of Stata, R, or Python for quantitative analysis.

• Capability to run and interpret analyses with minimal supervision.

• Valuable experience with relevant datasets, such as learning assessments, EMIS, DHS, MICS household surveys, and administrative data.

• Previous experience in strategy, economics, or development consulting.

• Competence in structuring problems, developing hypotheses, and producing high-quality, client-ready outputs under pressure.

• Ideally, prior experience managing projects or workstreams, including budgets, workplans, and team coordination.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

• Ability to present complex findings to non-technical audiences, including ministers, donors, and senior officials.

• Proficient use of AI tools in an effective and responsible manner to enhance analytical and written outputs.

• A passionate, self-motivated problem-solver.

• Uphold integrity and ethical behavior.

• Strong analytical thinking and a quick learner.

• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and contribute to mutual mentorship.

• Initiative to drive excellence.

• Potential for leadership within the practice.

• Intellectual excellence evidenced through academic achievements, professional experience, or both.

• Based in Africa or India, with deep connections to the Young World and a commitment to its development.

• Versatility to work across various countries, methodologies, and Early Years sub-sectors.

• Demonstrated leadership capabilities, including the ability to inspire others, navigate ambiguity, and take initiative.

🏝️ Benefits

• Comprehensive health benefits package.

• Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning.

• Flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance.

• Engaging and collaborative work environment.