Director, Strategic Research & Evidence

About the role

The Director, Strategic Research & Evidence leads World Vision’s applied research, evidence generation and learning translation function. Using child‑focused data from the Annual Impact Measurement system, programme monitoring, evaluations and commissioned studies, the role produces decision‑useful, externally credible evidence to inform programme quality, fundraising, policy influence and senior leadership decisions.

Key responsibilities

• Lead applied research and evidence synthesis across child data sources, including AIM/AIM+, programme monitoring and operational research.
• Deliver the annual AIM/AIM+ insight narrative, turning strategic questions into research questions, data stories and decision‑use products.
• Commission and/or conduct secondary analyses of the 400,000+ household dataset to generate cross‑country insights on child wellbeing, resilience, equity and sector outcomes.
• Set interpretation standards for child‑data research, covering methods, uncertainty, claim boundaries, reproducibility and responsible use of sensitive data.
• Coordinate with Design Monitoring Evidence Accountability and Learning (DMEAL) and data‑governance teams on data availability, quality and analytical constraints.
• Translate the OP3 research agenda into a sequenced portfolio of studies across integrated child wellbeing pathways, faith‑based flourishing, climate stress, community transformation and systems transformation.
• Commission, scope, lead and quality‑assure research studies, evidence syntheses, mixed‑methods designs and quasi‑experimental or comparative analyses.

Required profile

• Proven ability to lead large‑scale applied research programmes and evidence synthesis.
• Experience translating research findings into actionable learning and strategic insight for senior leadership.
• Strong understanding of child‑focused data, analytics and data governance.
• Capacity to work with university partners, donors and internal stakeholders to commission and oversee high‑quality studies.

Required skills

What we offer

• Opportunity to influence global strategy for a leading humanitarian organization.
• Collaboration with a worldwide network of experts and partners.
• Flexible home‑based work environment.