Senior Research and Conflict Data Lead at HumAngle Media Limited

Job Description

HumAngle Media Limited is seeking an experienced Senior Research and Conflict Data Lead to provide research leadership, strengthen methodological standards and support the development of a commercially sustainable research and advisory practice.

Location: Abuja (FCT)
Employment Type: Full-time
Salary: N1,650,000 monthly (N19,800,000 annually), gross
Application Closing Date: 21st September, 2026

Key Responsibilities

Research and Analytical Leadership

• Lead original research on armed groups, political violence, terrorism, violent extremism, conflict economies, civilian protection and regional security.
• Develop and strengthen research methodologies covering field interviews, source assessment, verification, triangulation, confidence scoring and evidentiary standards.
• Lead research involving conflict-affected communities, field networks, subject-matter experts and regional stakeholders.
• Apply quantitative, qualitative, geospatial, network-analysis and mixed-method approaches where appropriate.
• Produce and supervise research reports, analytical briefs, datasets, maps, policy products, commissioned studies and data-driven investigations.
• Clearly distinguish verified findings, analytical judgements, hypotheses and unresolved information gaps in research outputs.

Conflict Data and Methodology

• Lead the development and maintenance of conflict-data systems covering actors, events, locations, relationships and other relevant variables.
• Establish standards for data collection, classification, documentation, provenance, validation, version control and quality assurance.
• Develop systems for assessing source reliability, information credibility and confidence in analytical conclusions.
• Ensure datasets and analytical products are adequately documented for internal review, replication where appropriate and defensible external use.
• Identify appropriate applications of statistical analysis, GIS, network analysis, OSINT and other research technologies.

Commercial Research and Advisory Leadership

• Support the growth of a commercially disciplined and intellectually independent research and advisory practice.
• Build and manage a multidisciplinary team of researchers, analysts, data specialists and research assistants.
• Develop research and advisory offerings for institutional clients, including international organisations, foundations, development partners, research institutions and responsible private-sector organisations.
• Identify suitable business opportunities, develop research concepts, prepare technical proposals and contribute to competitive bids.
• Support project costing, staffing, delivery planning and client management.
• Develop recurring research programmes and analytical products capable of attracting institutional funding and commissioned assignments.
• Maintain strong client and partner relationships while protecting research independence and analytical integrity.

Team Leadership and Institutional Development

• Recruit, supervise, mentor and develop researchers and research assistants within approved structures and budgets.
• Establish clear research workflows, review processes, performance expectations and quality-control mechanisms.
• Build internal capacity in research design, conflict data, verification, analytical writing, quantitative methods and related competencies.
• Foster a research culture where evidence is rigorously examined, uncertainty is acknowledged and conclusions remain open to challenge.
• Develop partnerships with universities, think tanks, international organisations, research institutions and technical specialists.
• Represent research and advisory work before technical, policy, academic, client and international audiences.

Research Ethics, Security and Quality Assurance

• Establish and maintain appropriate standards for research ethics, informed consent, source protection, safeguarding, information security and data protection.
• Exercise sound judgement when handling sensitive sources, vulnerable participants and information that may create security, legal or reputational risks.
• Ensure research activities comply with applicable laws, contractual obligations, organisational policies and professional standards.
• Maintain appropriate separation between source access and evidentiary conclusions, ensuring that access to a source or community is not treated as proof of a claim.
• Escalate significant methodological, ethical, safeguarding, security, legal or conflict-of-interest concerns through appropriate channels.

Qualifications and Requirements

• A Master’s Degree or higher in Conflict and Security Studies, Political Science, International Relations, Economics, Data Science, Geography, Sociology, Peace and Conflict Studies or another relevant research-intensive discipline.
• A PhD is an advantage but is not mandatory for candidates with an exceptional record of applied research and analytical leadership.
• At least five years of relevant professional experience, preferably with substantial exposure to conflict and security research, political violence, terrorism research, conflict or event data, humanitarian research, organised crime, illicit economies or field research in fragile and conflict-affected environments.
• Demonstrated experience in quantitative, qualitative or mixed-methods research.
• Experience with geospatial analysis, network analysis, OSINT or other research technologies is an advantage.
• Experience in research consultancy, advisory services, proposal development or client-facing research projects is desirable.
• Strong analytical, research and report-writing skills.
• Ability to assess complex information, identify evidence gaps and communicate findings clearly.
• Strong leadership, team-management and stakeholder-engagement abilities.
• Demonstrated commitment to research ethics, methodological rigour, independence and evidence-based analysis.