Junior Data Analyst

Vision and role
Good Governance Africa is a research and advocacy think tank. Our vision is to drive improved governance performance across the continent to deliver broad-based social and economic benefits for all citizens. All content generated by GGA (including research, data modelling and journalism) serves to further the overall objectives of the organisation.
As a junior data analyst at GGA you will be part of the governance insights and analytics (GIA) team. This is an entry-level position. Your primary objective will be to support the GIA team in a variety of tasks including secondary data collection, data cleaning, analysis and visualisations. These will relate to taking a data-driven approach to understanding a variety of governance, social, demographic, economic and political issues relevant to the continent. Where relevant to these tasks, writing (descriptive and analytical) will be required.

**You will report to the head of programme**: governance insights and analytics at the GGA SADC centre. The role also requires close work with the GIA programme’s senior data analyst. The position will be based in Johannesburg. Travel will occasionally be required.

**Responsibilities and key performance indicators (KPIs)**:
To provide quantitative analysis (including regression analysis) and development support to the GIA team to advance GGA’s mission.
Assist the GGA research teams to collect and analyse data for intelligence reports and policy briefings. Intelligence reports are designed for the private sector to aid corporate investment decision-making, with a governance focus. Policy briefings are designed to inform policymakers on governance issues pertinent to individual countries or regional economic communities.
Writing of articles (op-eds), particularly on issues salient to data analysis and data governance in Africa.
Development of the Governance Performance Index (GPI), a way of evaluating local government performance. This includes tasks relevant to the development of the existing South African GPI. It also requires work on developing GGA’s long term plan to expand the GPI to other African countries.
Provide input and feedback on the development of the African Digital Databank, a project to organise essential statistics on African countries from a variety of primary data sources into a central database.

**Key skills and experience required**:
Relevant tertiary qualification
Data analysis experience, preferably in an academic or professional context, or both (NB).
Strong verbal and written communication skills in English and understanding of how to share insights and analytical results to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Strong data visualisation skills, especially within R and associated packages.
Strong R / SPSS/STATA skills (R is preferred).
Advanced Microsoft Office skills, especially in Excel.
Experience in cleaning, assimilating, manipulating and aggregating large data sets using SQL, R, Excel, or similar tools (R and Excel is preferred).
Knowledge of data analysis techniques, such as time series analysis, correlation analysis, variable transformations, regression (linear, logistic, multilevel etc.) and interpretation and creation of probability distributions.
General interest in current affairs pertaining to the African continent is a strong preference.
Analytical and problem-solving skills.

**Statistical analysis tools**:
R (preferred)
SPSS
STATA
QGIS (familiarity)

**Database technologies**:
MySQL (familiarity)
Successful applicants must have a valid South African work permit and necessary residency or citizenship requirements.