Research Analyst - Public Policy at Sun King (Formerly Greenlight Planet)

About the role:

We are seeking a highly motivated Research Associate to support the VP for Public Policy & Government Relations. This role will play a critical part in advancing our engagement on energy access, electrification, and broader economic development policy across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The ideal candidate will have interest in energy policy, trade and industrialization policy, and economic development, with the ability to conduct rapid and rigorous research and present insights in compelling ways.

What you will be expected to do

• Conduct qualitative and quantitative research to support policy review, advocacy, and strategy development.
• Collect, clean, and analyze large datasets (household surveys, energy access data, trade and investment data, etc.) to generate insights.
• Apply geospatial analysis and GIS tools to assess market opportunities, customer distribution, infrastructure gaps, and policy impacts.
• Develop clear, concise briefs, reports, presentations, and visualizations to communicate findings to senior Management, policymakers, and external stakeholders.
• Track global and regional policy developments in energy, trade, industrialization, and sustainable development, providing timely updates and recommendations.
• Support preparation for high-level meetings with governments, MDBs/DFIs, and development partners through background research and talking points.
• Contribute to the development of evidence-based policy positions and thought leadership pieces.
• Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams (data, operations, communications) to integrate insights into strategy and delivery.

You might be a strong candidate if you have/are

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in economics, public policy, development studies, or related field.
• 2–4 years’ experience in research, policy analysis, consulting, or related role.
• Strong foundation in both qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools (e.g., Stata, R, Python, or equivalent).
• Experience with GIS platforms (e.g., QGIS, ArcGIS) and spatial analysis.
• Strong skills in data visualization and presentation (Tableau, PowerBI, or equivalent).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor outputs for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated interest in energy access, renewable energy, and/or economic development policy.

Desired Attributes

• World-class research expertise in socioeconomic fields, with demonstrated experience in household survey design, sampling methods, and econometric modeling.
• Experience working in or with emerging markets, especially Africa .
• Familiarity with global energy access debates, trade and industrialization strategies and policies, and development finance.
• Ability to translate complex findings into actionable policy recommendations.
• Highly motivated, proactive, and adaptable, with appetite for learning in a fast-moving environment.
• Curious, able to absorb complex information quickly and translate it into actionable insights.
• Hands-on and collaborative, willing to take on both strategic and detailed tasks with equal commitment.
• Strong work ethic, resilience, and comfort with ambiguity.
• Humble, team-oriented, and eager to contribute wherever needed.
• Fluency in English is mandatory, French or Portugese would be an added advantage.