Researcher: Joby

About Joby

We connect young African talent to opportunities primarily around the creative and hospitality industries. Our mission is to empower these Africans to contribute meaningfully to their communities, brands and economies through gigs and jobs.

About the Role:

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced researcher to lead impactful investigations into the evolving landscape of gig work for Gen Z across Africa. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute research on digital labour platforms and their implications for young workers in a dynamic and rapidly changing economic environment. The ideal candidate will bring a strong methodological toolkit, a deep understanding of African labour markets, and a passion for addressing policy-relevant questions.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement rigorous research projects utilizing advanced quantitative methods, including Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental designs, to evaluate the impact of digital labour platforms on Gen Z workers in Africa.
• Conduct in-depth descriptive analyses, leveraging administrative data and other sources to develop detailed profiles of gig workers, including their demographics, work patterns, and earnings.
• Formulate and investigate critical policy-relevant questions related to the gig economy, such as financial inclusion, algorithmic fairness, social protection, and gender disparities.
• Establish and maintain strong collaborative relationships with digital labour platforms, evidenced by signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) or secured access to platform data
• Lead research efforts in understudied sectors within the African gig economy, with a particular focus on sectors employing women and marginalized groups.
• Analyze complex datasets using statistical software and econometric techniques.
• Disseminate research findings through high-quality publications, policy briefs, and presentations to diverse audiences.
• Stay abreast of the latest research and policy developments related to the future of work, the digital economy, and African labour markets.

Qualifications

• A Masters or Ph.D. (or near completion) in Economics, Development Economics, Sociology, Public Policy, or a related social science discipline.
• Demonstrable expertise in conducting rigorous quantitative research, including experience with RCTs or quasi-experimental designs.
• Strong statistical and econometric analysis skills, with proficiency in relevant software packages (e.g., R, Stata, Python).
• A deep understanding of African labour markets and the specific challenges and opportunities within the gig economy context.
• Experience working with large datasets, including administrative data.
• Proven track record of publishing
• Experience in formulating and addressing policy-relevant research questions.
• A strong commitment to ethical research practices.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and concisely.
• Experience conducting research in understudied sectors and with a focus on gender and marginalized groups is a significant advantage.