Lead Global Youth Impact: Remote Deputy Director of Design Research Role (Up to $72K)

Unlock a Senior Remote Leadership Role in Design Research

YLabs, a pioneering global organization dedicated to advancing health and economic opportunities for young people aged 10–24, is currently seeking a Deputy Director of Design Research. This full-time, fully remote position offers a unique chance to lead high-impact qualitative and ethnographic research initiatives across multiple continents.

Why This Role Stands Out

Ideal for professionals based in East Africa or within the GMT+0 to GMT+4 time zones, this senior-level opportunity combines strategic oversight with hands-on fieldwork. You will spearhead YLabs’ Deep Listening function, establishing organization-wide research methodologies that directly influence product development and policy decisions for vulnerable youth populations.

Core Responsibilities

As the Deputy Director, you will drive research excellence across four key pillars:

• Research Strategy & Systems Leadership: Design and implement standardized research frameworks, toolkits, and operational protocols that scale across cross-functional teams. Synthesize complex qualitative and quantitative data into actionable insights for executive decision-making.
• Ethics & Governance Oversight: Manage end-to-end Institutional Review Board (IRB) submissions, ensure strict compliance with human-subject protection standards, and oversee local Principal Investigators navigating diverse regulatory landscapes.
• Field Research & Methodological Innovation: Lead immersive field activities including semi-structured interviews, participatory focus groups, and rapid-cycle observations. Develop robust training pipelines for community researchers while implementing bias-mitigation practices like daily reflexivity checks.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Insight Translation: Transform raw field data into compelling visual narratives using ecosystem maps, user journey maps, and personas. Present strategic recommendations to donors, C-suite executives, and senior program leaders.

Who Thrives in This Position?

We are looking for seasoned researchers with a minimum of seven years of professional experience in design, user, qualitative, or ethnographic research. Success in this role requires:

• Proven expertise in managing IRB applications and ethical research compliance
• A track record of building scalable research systems and methodological toolkits
• Strong supervisory capabilities with experience mentoring cross-functional teams
• Exceptional storytelling abilities backed by a portfolio showcasing complex research translated into clear, actionable strategies
• Proficiency with collaborative platforms like Miro, Figma, Dedoose, or NVivo

Preferred candidates hold a Master’s or PhD in Anthropology, Human-Centered Design, Sociology, or UX Research, alongside direct experience working in Sub-Saharan Africa with marginalized youth communities.

Compensation & Work Arrangement

• Salary Range: $48,500 – $72,143 USD (paid in local currency based on your permanent work location)
• Contract Type: 12-month initial term with extension potential
• Work Model: Fully remote with up to 50% travel required for field research and stakeholder engagement
• Application Process: Reviewed on a rolling basis until filled

Ready to elevate youth-centered research on a global scale? Submit your application directly through the YLabs careers platform. Early submissions are strongly encouraged as qualified candidates are reviewed continuously.