Research Lead at International Rescue Committee

Major Responsibilities

• Lead IRC’s cost research portfolio, identifying key questions about the cost-efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the IRC’s activities and developing research strategies to answer these questions.
• Develop a research agenda, scoping and coordinating new analyses and work plans to answer key stakeholder research questions. Lead ad hoc strategic analyses that feed into organizational decision making.
• Partner with research and technical counterparts to ensure the design of studies is appropriately targeted to our programs, targets, and learning priorities.
• Supervise Best Use of Resources staff, provide oversight of deliverables, conduct quality assurance on all analyses, and ensure projects are on track and following appropriate guidance.
• Develop evidence synthesis and lead strategic projects to inform organizational learning, and apply lessons from cost analysis to decisions about scaling and replicating effective interventions.
• Consult on evidence recommendations and support project leads to decide how cost research should be included in proposals.
• Collaborate on advocacy, identifying and scoping strategic partnerships, reviewing collateral, and building relationships.
• Contribute to fundraising for BUR team, including proposal writing for projects led by other teams.
• Serve as focal point in conversations with external stakeholders on costing methodology and results, and connect IRC teams with external sectoral researchers and technical experts for cross collaboration and learning.
• Create guidance and templates to improve overall research and methodology, including scenario tools, cost-efficiency models, methodology guidance, etc.
• Oversee research project reporting, including writing reports, delivering presentations, supporting communications staff, and contributing to broader BUR/IRC reports.
• Oversee portfolio contracting, budget, and finances, including leading the budgeting and planning for BUR staffing on cost research.
• For given focus area(s), lead research and technical assistance in the same capacity as a BUR advisor.

Job Requirements
Work Experience

• Master’s degree in economics, public policy, or a related field required; PhD strongly preferred;
• 4+ years of similar work experience; preference for 1+ years in LMICs strongly preferred.

Demonstrated Skills And Competencies

• One or more years of experience managing individuals and/or teams;
• Experience managing fifteen or more projects and/or projects in excess of $200k;
• Knowledge of evaluation methods, applications, and cost-evidence literature in LMICs;
• Demonstrated proficiency in spreadsheet-based data cleaning and analysis, data visualization, evidence interpretation; and statistical analysis software;
• Strong writing skills including demonstrated ability to write for non-technical audiences with an advocacy focus;
• Excellent speaking and presentation skills;
• Ability to work as part of a remote team across time zones, cultures, and contexts;
• Excellence communication skills, cultural sensitivity, flexibility, ability to improvise, team player;
• Commitment to IRC’s core values.