Local Research Specialist Consultancy, Angola

Opportunity Overview
The Lobito Corridor spans more than 1,300 kilometers, connecting the Port of Lobito through Benguela, Huambo, Bié, and Moxico provinces to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia. While the Corridor presents significant opportunities for economic development and improved service access, it also poses risks for children, adolescents, and women, including displacement, child protection risks, gender-based violence, and pressure on social services. 

Fika is seeking a Local Research Specialist with deep in-country expertise in Angola to support an anticipated project funded by UNICEF to study the situation of children, adolescents, and women along the Lobito Corridor in Angola. The Local Research Specialist will support a Fika research team on a consultancy basis to produce a comprehensive, data-driven situational analysis. Fika welcomes Angolan nationals and individuals with demonstrated right to work and sustained professional experience in Angola to submit their interest for this consultancy for the anticipated project.

Responsibilities
Provide technical input to secondary data analysis, literature reviews, and situational assessments, with a focus on Angola's national data systems and the Lobito Corridor provinces
Provide summaries on Angola's policy landscape, administrative data, and the national statistical system, and facilitating access to relevant data sources from line ministries
Support and facilitate stakeholder consultations with UNICEF Angola program sections, UN agencies, government counterparts, and development partners, leveraging established in-country relationships where feasible or appropriate
Prepare technical reports, bilingual outputs, and policy-facing documents, including the inception report, draft report, final report, policy brief, and PowerPoint presentation, in both English and Portuguese
Ensure that gender equality, child rights, disability inclusion, safeguarding, and other cross-cutting considerations are integrated into all analytical work and deliverables
Complete all other designated research activities upon research lead request

Work Conditions
Location: Remote, with potential engagement in Luanda and Lobito Corridor provinces (Benguela, Huambo, Bié, Moxico), contingent upon funding awards and client approvals
Position Type: Short-Term Consultancy
Duration: Part-Time, Up to 7 months: July 2026 – February 2027, subject to award
Language Requirements: Portuguese (full professional proficiency required); English (required)
Nationality / Right to Work: Angolan nationals strongly preferred; right to work in Angola required
Contingency Status: Contingent upon award of the UNICEF contract to Fika and UNICEF's written approval of proposed consultant

Qualifications and Experience

Advanced degree in social sciences, development studies, public policy, economics, statistics, sociology, anthropology, or a related field
Minimum of 7–10 years of relevant professional experience in social policy research, child rights, development evaluation, or related sectors in Angola
Demonstrated expertise in quantitative data analysis of large national datasets, with proficiency in STATA, SPSS, R, or equivalent statistical software preferred
Proven experience in multisectoral analysis spanning the nexus of infrastructure development and human development outcomes across social sectors preferred; experience in transport infrastructure is a significant asset
Demonstrated experience working with or for UNICEF, UN agencies, the Government of Angola, bilateral donors, or international NGOs; familiarity with Angola's national data systems and line ministry administrative data is strongly preferred
Knowledge of the Lobito Corridor provinces (Benguela, Huambo, Bié, Moxico, and/or Moxico Leste) is a significant asset
Full professional proficiency in Portuguese (written and spoken) is required; strong professional proficiency in English (written and spoken) is required
Strong analytical, communication, and policy-oriented reporting skills; ability to draft bilingual deliverables in both Portuguese and English
Commitment to Fika's mission, values, and ethical standards, including child safeguarding, integrity, and inclusion
Ability to work independently, remotely, collaboratively, and across cultures

Fika (fika.org; Formerly "Bridges to Prosperity") exists to innovate cost-effective rural infrastructural solutions through advocacy, evidence and technical assistance to promote safe access for geographically isolated communities through partnership with governments and donors. Our evidence-based approach demonstrates that safe, reliable access unlocks opportunity and drives economic and social development in rural areas.