YLabs is inviting applications for a Deputy Director of Design Research, a senior-level opportunity within its Design Department for an experienced design, user, qualitative or ethnographic researcher. The full-time position is remote and is ideally suited to candidates based in East Africa, although professionals located within the GMT+0 to GMT+4 time zones across the African continent may also apply. The position offers a salary range of $48,500 to $72,143, benchmarked against YLabs’ P6 level within its Africa salary bands. The successful candidate will work approximately 40 hours per week and should be prepared to travel up to 50% of the time for field research and stakeholder engagement. The initial contract is for 12 months, with the possibility of extension. Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position will remain open until filled. About YLabs YLabs is a global design and research organisation focused on improving health and economic opportunities for young people aged 10–24. Founded in 2016 at the Harvard Innovation Lab, the organisation works across Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Central America, partnering directly with young people to develop products and services addressing challenges such as sexual and reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, mental health, financial inclusion and climate resilience. The Deputy Director of Design Research will play an important role in strengthening YLabs’ research capabilities and shaping how the organisation conducts user and ethnographic field research. About the Deputy Director of Design Research Role The successful candidate will lead YLabs’ Deep Listening function, helping establish the organisation-wide vision, methodology and operational approach for design research. This is a senior strategic and hands-on position. The Deputy Director will be expected to manage research projects from the earliest stages of research ideation and protocol development through field execution, analysis, synthesis and presentation of findings to senior executives and other stakeholders. The role will also involve establishing institutional research systems, developing frameworks and toolkits, managing Institutional Review Board processes and directing local field teams and Principal Investigators across different regional contexts. Key Responsibilities Research Strategy and Systems Leadership The Deputy Director will help shape and implement YLabs’ research strategy, ensuring that research planning and execution align with organisational priorities and impact goals. The successful candidate will build and standardise research systems, toolkits and operational frameworks that can be used across multiple teams. Another important responsibility will be synthesising qualitative and quantitative findings across projects to generate insights that can inform programme design, strategic decision-making and organisational growth. The Deputy Director will also serve as a subject-matter expert, promoting the value of evidence-based design research both internally and externally. IRB, Ethics and Governance Ethical research oversight will be a central component of the position. The successful candidate will provide strategic and end-to-end guidance on Institutional Review Board (IRB) submissions, protocol adaptations and ethics compliance. They will oversee the development of research protocols covering areas such as literature reviews, sampling approaches and informed consent mechanisms, while ensuring that research procedures are adapted to local requirements. The role will also involve recruiting and overseeing local Principal Investigators who can help navigate regulatory requirements, cultural contexts and research approvals. Strict adherence to human-subject protection standards, safeguarding policies and data protection requirements will be essential. Field Research and Methodological Leadership The Deputy Director will lead rapid-cycle research activities involving immersive observation, semi-structured interviews and participatory focus group discussions. They will develop systems for recruiting and training local community researchers and youth field listeners and oversee fieldwork quality. Daily field debriefs, reflexivity exercises and positionality checks will be used to help identify and mitigate researcher bias. Because fieldwork can involve unexpected logistical, security and social challenges, the successful candidate must be able to adapt research methodologies and plans quickly when circumstances change. Research Synthesis and Senior Stakeholder Engagement A major responsibility will be transforming complex field information into clear and useful insights. The Deputy Director will develop analytical frameworks such as root-cause analyses, ecosystem maps, personas and user journey maps. They will work with field teams and community partners through participatory sense-making processes to refine findings and ensure that community perspectives are accurately represented. The successful candidate will also prepare executive summaries, strategic research reports and presentations for donors, C-suite executives and senior leaders. The ultimate goal will be to translate youth-driven research findings into practical opportunities and strategic recommendations for innovation. Who Can Apply? YLabs requires applicants to have a minimum of seven years of professional experience in design research, user research, qualitative field research or ethnographic research. Candidates should have a proven track record of leading research initiatives from field immersion and protocol development through to high-level presentation of findings. Experience preparing and managing IRB applications and working with local Principal Investigators, ethics committees or research approval boards is required. Applicants should also demonstrate experience building research systems, toolkits or operational frameworks that have been adopted across multiple teams or departments. Strong supervisory, training and mentoring experience is important, as the Deputy Director will work with researchers and cross-functional project staff. Exceptional written, verbal and visual communication skills are also required, with candidates expected to provide a portfolio demonstrating their ability to turn complex research into clear and actionable frameworks. Preferred Qualifications A Master’s or PhD in Anthropology, Design Research, Human-Centered Design, Sociology, UX Research or a related discipline would be an advantage. Experience living or working in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly East Africa, is desirable. Candidates with experience working with vulnerable or marginalised youth populations may also have an advantage. Proficiency with collaborative research and synthesis platforms such as Miro, Mural, Figma, Dedoose or NVivo is expected. Salary, Location and Contract The position is: Job Title: Deputy Director of Design Research Department: Design Employment Type: Full-time Work Arrangement: Remote Preferred Location: East Africa Eligible Time Zones: GMT+0 to GMT+4 across Africa Salary: $48,500–$72,143 Contract: Initial 12-month term, with possible extension Travel: Up to 50% of the time Experience Level: Senior Manager/Supervisor Application Status: Open until filled Review Process: Rolling applications YLabs pays full-time employees in the local currency of their permanent work location. How to Apply Interested candidates should review the full vacancy and submit their applications through the YLabs careers platform. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so qualified candidates are encouraged to apply early rather than wait for a fixed closing date. The successful applicant will be expected to demonstrate strong research leadership, ethical research expertise, fieldwork experience, strategic thinking and the ability to work effectively across diverse cultural and regional environments. This opportunity could be particularly relevant to experienced professionals seeking remote design research jobs in Africa, senior UX research positions, ethnographic research leadership roles or international opportunities focused on youth, health and economic empowerment. APPLY HERE For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. 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