Senior Research and Projects Associate at Fanisi HR Solutions

Our client, Africa E-Mobility Alliance, an organisation operating in the Sustainability & Clean Mobility industry, is seeking to hire a Senior Research and Projects Associate who will lead complex research initiatives across key organizational portfolios.. This role requires a seasoned researcher with minimum 10 years of experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder infrastructure or corporate finance transactions and 6+ years of progressive research experience within research institutions, think tanks, or international development organizations. The person in this role needs to be capable of providing intellectual leadership, managing research deliverables and mentoring junior team members. 

Key Responsibilities

• Design, lead and oversee technical and policy-oriented research projects from inception through delivery.
• Ensure all research deliverables meet top-tier analytical standards required by CW partners, donors, and policy stakeholders.
• Supervise junior research staff, providing guidance on methodology, writing, and analytical rigour.
• Translate research findings into actionable policy recommendations and present findings to external advisory groups, donors, and partners.
• Build organizational research capacity, lead strategic research proposals, and contribute to portfolio-level decision-making.

Qualifications & Experience

• Master’s in Economics, Public Policy, Political Science, International Development, Finance, Engineering, or Business Administration.
• Minimum 10 years of experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder infrastructure or corporate finance transactions.
• 6+ years of progressive research experience within research institutions, think tanks, or international development organizations.
• Demonstrated track record of peer-reviewed publications, major policy reports, or donor-funded technical briefs.
• Proven experience leading the preparation, structuring, or appraisal of complex infrastructure or corporate finance transactions involving development and commercial financiers.
• Demonstrated ability to lead a USD 50M+ raise involving Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) through to financial close.
• Deep expertise in blended finance, DFI investment processes (e.g., AfDB, IFC), and African infrastructure ecosystems.
• Strong quantitative or qualitative research methodology skills (e.g., STATA, R, NVivo, survey design).
• Skilled in coordinating diverse teams, managing research assistants/consultants, and structuring engagement with governments, regulators, private sector actors, and development partners.
• Fluency in English is required; proficiency in French is strongly preferred.