JUNIOR RESEARCH ANALYST

Research For Impact (RFI) is seeking a junior research analyst to work in our Singapore office. The ideal candidate will possess a foundational grounding in both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, coupled with practical experience or a strong interest in applied mixed-methods analysis and evaluation. This role will primarily support a portfolio of applied mixed-methods research focusing on vulnerable groups and populations within Singapore, working collaboratively within a small and multidisciplinary research team.

Expectations

The selected candidate will:

• Literature & Evidence: Independently conduct literature reviews, environmental scans, policy document analysis, and evidence synthesis to provide strong empirical grounding and context for ongoing research.

• Research Design & Management: Collaboratively draft proposals and plans for research projects (including study design, data collection plans, and budgeting) with guidance from a senior colleague.

• Mixed-Methods Data Collection & Fieldwork:

Quantitative: Deploy and administer surveys, including digital or tablet-based surveys with structured metrics (e.g., quality of life, socioeconomic impacts), and support participant recruitment workflows.

Qualitative& Participatory: Conduct interviews, focus groups, participant observations, and ethnographic fieldwork. Provide design and facilitation support for community-led research and co-creative workshops that bring community members directly into the research process to shape insights and recommendations.

• Bilingual Fieldwork &Engagement: Use bilingual language skills to engage, build rapport, and conduct mixed-methods fieldwork with diverse vulnerable communities in Singapore (particularly an ability to conduct fieldwork in Chinese and/or local dialects).

• Data Management & Analysis: Undertake qualitative and quantitative data workflows, including data cleaning, entry, coding, and primary analysis using relevant statistical or qualitative software packages.

• Research Ethics & Safeguarding: Uphold strict standards of data protection and participant safety across all projects. This includes executing formal protocols for institutional review board (IRB) compliant studies, as well as applying robust ethical and informed consent principles in non-board-governed applied research contexts.

• Insight Synthesis & Communication:

Synthesize qualitative and quantitative findings into clear insights and actionable policy or programme recommendations.

Draft and edit project briefs, reports, manuscripts for publication, presentation decks, and engaging communication materials tailored for different community and stakeholder audiences.

Provide facilitation support for stakeholder meetings, workshops, capacity-building sessions, and sensemaking discussions.

• Project Delivery: Take proactive ownership of assigned workstreams, manage project timelines, and interface with both internal and external stakeholders to ensure high-quality deliverables with guidance from a senior colleague.

• Adaptability: Work flexibly to meet evolving project, stakeholder and community needs in dynamic applied research environments.

• Team Culture: Bring a curious and collaborative mindset to a small multidisciplinary team. Demonstrate a genuine eagerness to work closely with local communities and see how applied research shapes real-world change.

Required Qualifications

Candidates for this role should possess:

1. Singaporean Citizenry or Residency

• Singapore Citizenship or Permanent Residency.

2. Academic Foundation and Intellectual Orientation

• A bachelor’s degree in public policy, anthropology, economics, sociology, public health, political science or a related multidisciplinary field.

• Course transcript demonstrating strong academic performance, critical thinking, and multidisciplinary exposure

• Strong sense of intellectual curiosity, with openness to learning across domains

3. Research and Analytical Capabilities

• A foundational understanding of both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, such as basic knowledge of how surveys, interviews and focus groups are designed and conducted.

• A baseline understanding of research integrity, participant confidentiality, data protection, and the core principles of informed consent.

• Experience conducting data collection, handling basic data entry, alongside cleaning of survey data entries and audio-recorded transcripts.

4. Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Professional bilingual proficiency in Singapore to confidently engage participants, build rapport, and administer research instruments within local communities where English may not be the primary language spoken or written (particularly an ability to conduct fieldwork in Chinese and/or local dialects).

• The sensitivity and interpersonal skills required to interact directly and respectfully with diverse individuals in community or clinical settings, particularly vulnerable populations, their families and community partners.

• The ability to write clearly, concisely and effectively for project briefs, reports, slide decks, and presentation materials for research communication to stakeholders and communities.

4. Professional Collaboration

• A collaborative mindset with organizational skills to take ownership of assigned tasks and adapt to evolving needs of project, stakeholders and communities.

Preferred (but not required)

While not mandatory for the role, we welcome candidates who have:

• Prior experience or exposure working within the social impact, public and/or global health, or international development sectors in Singapore or the broader Southeast Asian region.

• Prior experience or exposure in running descriptive statistics, univariate or bivariate analyses, and carrying out quantitative data analysis using statistical software (such as Stata or R).

• Prior experience or exposure to qualitative analysis approaches, including inductive or deductive coding, thematic analysis, framework analysis, and using qualitative codebook management software (such as NVivo, Atlas.ti or Dedoose).

• Prior experience configuring, testing and managing electronic data and digital survey instruments (such as Qualtrics or SurveyMonkey).

• Prior experience in relationship building and partner communications, including engagement with stakeholders, funders and community partners.

• Familiarity with academic or applied policy and social research guidelines, including local data protection and research ethics protocols.

• Familiarity in translating complex research into clear and engaging communication materials developed for local communities, funders or partners, as demonstrated through a sample piece of such communication.

What Being Successful in the Role Looks Like

A successful hire works closely, collaboratively and competently with different teams and teammates within RFI across a portfolio of applied research projects. They undertake assigned qualitative and quantitative research tasks reliably, engage diverse communities and stakeholders with sensitivity, and uphold strong standards of research ethics and data protection. They communicate their views and questions professionally to support better applied research outcomes. They are willing to learn, respond constructively to guidance and feedback, and share knowledge with others. They contribute positively to RFI’s open, supportive and collaborative work culture.

Required Actions

Once we contact you, do note that you will need to submit further documents as follows:

• Your Full CV.

• A Research Writing Sample – a research report, peer-reviewed journal publication, or thesis (published or unpublished) that is primarily your own independent work.

• A Communication Work Sample (if any) – a sample piece of communication developed for non-academic audiences that demonstrates your ability to present complex data clearly for local communities, funders, or agencies.