[Hiring] Research Director, Emergency Cash @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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Strong understanding of impact evaluations and research methodologies.
  • Experience in mentoring and leading research teams.
  • Ability to communicate complex research findings to diverse audiences.

Requirements

  • Advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g., social sciences, public policy, economics).
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in research or evaluation roles.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Experience working in emergency cash or humanitarian contexts is a plus.

Benefits

  • Competitive salary based on role, location, and cost of living.
  • Annual benefits stipend.
  • Remote work flexibility.

Company Description

GiveDirectly has delivered more than $1B in cash directly to 2+ million people living in poverty across 15 countries since 2011. We believe cash transfers are one of the most scalable, cost-effective, and dignified forms of aid, with the research to back it up. Our work has been covered by major media outlets and we are recognized as one of Time100’s Most Influential Companies of 2026.

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