Application Guide

How to Apply for Data & Research Analyst

at Lafiya

🏢 About Lafiya

Lafiya is a nonprofit dedicated to improving social and healthcare infrastructure in rural sub-Saharan Africa by addressing the unmet need for contraception among women. This mission-driven organization offers the unique opportunity to apply rigorous data analysis to real-world challenges, directly influencing policy and scaling impactful health programs.

About This Role

As the Data & Research Analyst, you will lead quantitative analysis and statistical evaluation design, turning routine program data into actionable evidence. Your work will shape policy and drive the scale of vital health services, making a tangible difference in underserved communities.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with checking data quality across SurveyCTO and DHIS2, reconciling any discrepancies, and updating dashboards. You could then spend time coding in R or Python to analyze counseling data, preparing a report for an upcoming donor meeting, or collaborating with field teams to refine data collection tools.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Lafiya Is Looking For

  • A candidate with a Bachelor's degree in econometrics, statistics, data science, public health, or a related field, and mandatory experience in designing sampling strategies and coding in R, Python, or Stata.
  • Proficiency in advanced statistical analysis, spreadsheet software, and SQL, with familiarity with R and business intelligence tools preferred.
  • Experience with data systems like SurveyCTO, DHIS2, or NHLMIS is a strong plus, as is prior work in nonprofit or international development settings.
  • A detail-oriented professional who can reconcile data discrepancies, maintain dashboards, and produce publication-ready evidence to international standards.

📝 Tips for Applying to Lafiya

1

Highlight specific examples of designing sampling strategies and using difference-in-differences or longitudinal tracking in your previous work.

2

Showcase your coding skills by linking to a GitHub or portfolio with relevant R or Python projects, especially those involving health data or impact evaluation.

3

Tailor your resume to emphasize experience with SurveyCTO, DHIS2, or NHLMIS, even if it's from a similar context, and mention any dashboard development.

4

In your cover letter, express genuine interest in Lafiya's mission and explain how your quantitative skills can help generate evidence for policy influence.

5

Research Lafiya's recent publications or reports and reference them in your application to demonstrate your understanding of their work.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your expertise in advanced statistical methods and coding, with concrete examples of how you've applied them to real-world data.", 'Your ability to manage and reconcile data from multiple sources, ensuring data quality and integrity.', 'Your experience in producing clear, policy-relevant reports for diverse stakeholders, including donors and government officials.', 'Your passion for public health and commitment to improving healthcare access in underserved communities.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read about Lafiya's current programs and impact reports to understand their data needs and evaluation focus.
  • → Familiarize yourself with the healthcare data systems mentioned (SurveyCTO, DHIS2, NHLMIS) and their roles in Nigeria's health information ecosystem.
  • → Look into the donor landscape (e.g., international donors) and their evidence requirements for scaling programs.
  • → Explore recent publications or policy briefs from Lafiya to see how they communicate findings to stakeholders.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk me through a time you designed a sampling strategy for a complex evaluation. What considerations did you take into account?
2 How would you approach reconciling discrepancies between data from SurveyCTO, DHIS2, and NHLMIS?
3 Describe your experience with difference-in-differences modeling. Can you give an example of a project where you used this method?
4 How do you ensure your analysis is publication-ready and meets international standards? What tools do you use for data visualization?
5 Why are you interested in working for Lafiya, and how does your background align with our mission?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't focus solely on your technical skills without connecting them to the nonprofit's mission and the role's impact.
  • Avoid generic statements about your passion for data; instead, provide concrete examples of your statistical analysis and evaluation work.
  • Don't overlook the importance of data management and reconciliation; be prepared to discuss how you ensure data quality.

📅 Application Timeline

⏰ Deadline: October 11, 2026

We recommend applying at least a few days early to avoid last-minute technical issues.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Lafiya!

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