[Hiring] Research Director @GiveDirectly

Role Description

This Research Director will own GiveDirectly's learning agenda for Emergency Cash (EC) Programs, in close collaboration with the Senior Product Director for Emergency Cash, EC Response Leads, and other M&E staff. As the organization's internal expert on Emergency Cash research strategy and methods, they will own and continually redefine the scope of our Emergency Cash learning priorities as the portfolio evolves, including:

• Owning GiveDirectly’s research and learning strategy for Emergency Cash Programs and other frontier topics within this portfolio.
• Full accountability for strategic impact evaluations and impact-focused research for Emergency Cash Programs across multiple countries.
• Setting the standards and systems for research best practice within the Emergency Cash portfolio.
• Providing intellectual leadership and technical direction across GiveDirectly’s Emergency Cash research work.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead GD’s impact learning agenda for Emergency Cash programs.
• Own the “canonical” Theory of Change for GD’s emergency cash product.
• Independently define and drive prioritization for impact-focused learning questions.
• Proactively identify opportunities to address key questions through new research projects.
• Represent RME at the leadership level in opportunity scoping and proposal design for emergency cash projects.
• Set the standards for data collection processes, data quality checks, analyses, etc. for Emergency Cash research.
• Establish and continually refine management systems and policies for Emergency Cash research.
• Drive a culture of evidence-informed decision-making within the Emergency Cash team.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to RME leadership on Emergency Cash research strategy and capacity development.
• Pilot and refine new research methods and approaches within Emergency Cash.
• Own the development and application of outcome-focused indicators for Emergency Cash programs.
• Strategically identify and cultivate research partnerships with individuals and institutions.
• Define the highest-priority research and learning questions facing the Emergency Cash portfolio.
• Directly own strategic research projects on emergency cash programs.
• Represent GD’s Emergency Cash research externally at the leadership level.
• Author and co-author research briefs, policy papers, and submissions.
• Partner with the Partnerships team to position GiveDirectly’s Emergency Cash work as credible and evidence-driven.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in research strategy and methods related to emergency cash programs.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to drive evidence-informed decision-making.
• Experience in managing research partnerships and strategic projects.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to mentor and lead teams effectively.

Requirements

• Advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g., social sciences, public policy, etc.).
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in research or related roles.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across teams and stakeholders.
• Experience in managing multiple projects simultaneously.

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on role, location, and cost of living.
• No negotiation policy to ensure equitable pay across roles.
• Annual benefits stipend.