Director, Strategic Research & Evidence

About the role

Lead World Vision’s applied research, evidence generation and learning translation function, using child data across the partnership to produce decision‑useful, externally credible evidence. The role commissions and leads applied research, evidence synthesis and university partnerships, translating findings into actionable learning and strategic insight.

Key responsibilities

• Lead applied research and evidence synthesis using child data from Annual Impact Measurement, programme monitoring, evaluations and commissioned studies.
• Deliver the annual AIM insight narrative, turning senior‑leadership questions into research questions, data stories and decision‑use products.
• Commission, scope and quality‑assure research studies across health, nutrition, WASH, livelihoods, child protection, climate and faith sectors.
• Develop and manage university and research‑institution partnerships, overseeing joint research, publications and funding leverage.
• Translate research findings into leadership‑ready insight products, executive briefs and donor‑facing narratives, ensuring evidence informs programme design, fundraising and policy influence.

Required profile

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Statistics, Epidemiology, Public Health, Data Science, Economics, Social Sciences, International Development, Evaluation or a related research‑intensive discipline.
• At least 12 years of progressive experience in applied research, evidence synthesis, impact evaluation or related evidence roles, including senior multi‑country leadership responsibilities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead a research agenda across multiple countries, sectors and stakeholders.
• Proven technical expertise in quantitative and/or mixed‑methods research using large household survey or programme datasets.

Required skills

• Formal training in quantitative methods, research design, evaluation and data analysis.
• Experience with large‑scale household survey data, including sampling, weighting, variance estimation and equity analysis.