Research & Coordination Analyst (RCA)
Anywhereonsite
Research & Coordination Analyst (RCA) Department: Operations Employment Type: Contract / Temp Location: Africa Reporting To: Senior Technical Advisor Description Allied Talent Partners (ATP), a Three Cairns Group initiative, is a mission-driven, not-for-profit talent marketplace focused on solving the human capital bottlenecks slowing down sustainable development efforts in emerging economies, with an initial focus on Africa. ATP connects vetted, experienced, context-relevant professionals to high-impact opportunities in energy access and sustainable development – strengthening local capacity and fuelling economic vitality. We specialize in fixed-term, deliverable-driven engagements – from interim leadership and generalist projects to niche technical expertise – handling project scoping, talent vetting and matching, contracting, payroll, and compliance so that our clients can focus on impact. High-Level Overview Client: Our client is developing a regional bulk materials decarbonisation strategy focused on cement, steel, and construction chemicals. Delivering this work requires structured research, high-quality data assembly, standards mapping, and coordinated stakeholder engagement to ensure the Senior Technical Advisor (STA) can concentrate on technical validation, engineering analysis, and pathway development. Project: The Research & Coordination Analyst (RCA) serves as the analytical and organisational engine of the project. The RCA conducts first-pass research, builds datasets, extracts standards, develops fact packs, prepares v1 sector drafts, manages interview logistics, and coordinates documentation for Steering Committee engagements. This role requires exceptional organisation, analytical discipline, and the ability to generate structured outputs that the STA can then review and elevate. The RCA will work closely with the Project Lead and STA throughout the development of the cement, steel, and chemicals assessments Role and Responsibilities Role: Research & Coordination Analyst – Bulk Materials Decarbonisation Strategy Direct Report: Senior Technical Advisor – Bulk Materials Decarbonisation Strategy Candidates Required: 1 Key Deliverables: Technical Baseline Research & Data Analysis (Primary Responsibility) • Compile historical and current data on production, trade, demand, costs, emissions, infrastructure, and industrial processes across cement, steel, and construction chemicals. • Use AI-assisted tools for extraction, cleaning, summarisation, and verification of large datasets. • Develop initial sector fact packs and country snapshots following established templates. • Prepare high-level LCA data summaries, energy intensity profiles, and material-flow snapshots. • Produce initial analytical insights and identify emerging patterns for STA review. Standards & Institutional Mapping • Extract building codes, materials standards, and technical requirements relevant to cement, steel, aggregates, admixtures, and concrete performance. • Map certification protocols, testing laboratory capacity, and institutional roles. • Produce structured summaries and comparison tables for STA validation. Political Economy & Stakeholder Mapping • Identify key actors across government, industry, testing institutions, standards bodies, and associated regulators. • Map incentives, constraints, and institutional capabilities at a descriptive level. • Support the STA and Project Lead in preparing targeted validation interviews based on identified influence pathways. Stakeholder Engagement Coordination • Manage all interview logistics, including scheduling, pre-reads, confirmations, and follow-up. • Attend interviews and produce clean, structured notes (as appropriate). • Prepare standardised 1-2 page interview summaries capturing key insights. • Coordinate targeted email follow-ups to clarify data or technical details. Technical & Strategic Drafting Support • Prepare draft tables, charts, summaries, and evidence packs for STA review. • Develop v1 sector assessment sections that the STA will refine and technically elevate. • Maintain an organised research repository and ensure version control. • Support preparation of monthly reports and drafting of technical narrative components for Steering Committee review. Steering Committee & Project Support • Prepare agendas, briefing notes, and slide decks for Steering Committee sessions. • Track deliverables, timelines, and dependencies across the four-month work programme. • Ensure clean documentation and record-keeping to support project governance. Requirements Experience Required: • Minimum 3–5 years of experience in research, economic analysis, policy analysis, data science, engineering, or related fields. • Prior exposure to industrial sectors, infrastructure, energy, or climate-related analysis is beneficial. Technical Requirements: • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Economics, Public Policy, Industrial Systems, Data Science, Environmental Science, or a related field (Master’s degree beneficial but not required). • Strong proficiency with Excel or equivalent data tools, and comfort using AI-assisted research and analysis tools. • Ability to extract, clean, and structure complex datasets into organised analytical material. • Ability to prepare clear tables, charts, and written summaries for senior technical review. • Strong analytical and research capability, including structured information gathering, synthesis, and verification. • Ability to work with industrial, cost, emissions, standards, and high-level LCA-related datasets (with STA providing technical validation). • Comfortable producing well-organised first-pass drafts and evidence packs that support senior technical review. • Familiarity with standards bodies, certification systems, testing laboratories, or building materials. • Experience coordinating multi-stakeholder engagements or supporting senior technical experts. • Prior work in emerging markets or with development partners. Other Skills: • Highly organised and capable of managing multiple workstreams simultaneously. • Strong writing and synthesis ability. • Reliable, detail-oriented, and consistent in meeting deadlines. • Comfortable working in a fast-paced, iterative environment. • Collaborative, professional, and able to support senior technical experts effectively. Working Arrangement Location: Fully remote Travel: None Terms of agreement: Start Date: January 2026 Contracting Period: ~65-75 days over 4 months, with optional 1-month extension