GiveDirectly - Research Director, LLS, District Transformation & Cash + Coaching

• Strategic ownership of the impact learning and M&E agenda for LLS, District Transformation, and Cash + Coaching • Own and evolve the “canonical” Theory of Change across our core large lump sum, district transformation, and “cash plus coaching” products, maintaining deep understanding of the current evidence and emergent hypotheses about different impact pathways. • Define and drive org-wide prioritization of impact learning questions, building buy-in across Product, Partnerships, Country Programs, and Comms; • Develop, gain internal buy-in for, and articulate a compelling measurement and learning strategy that may, in turn, influence GD’s approach in other verticals. • Proactively identify where new M&E infrastructure or research capacity is needed, and de-prioritize or wind down efforts that do not address credible, priority questions in a fast-moving environment. • Direction of large-scale, strategic M&E • Serve as the accountable owner for how GiveDirectly monitors and evaluates its highest-volume, highest-stakes programming, building out the systems needed to track performance and outcomes in partnership with the cross-cutting Senior Manager for M&E • Define standard outcome-focused indicators and measurement best practices across expenditure, consumption, asset accumulation, labor supply, and psychosocial wellbeing, incorporating sector-leading practice. • Provide intellectual leadership for new measurement approaches that advance key aspects of the LLS, district transformation, and cash plus coaching learning agenda. Own measurement practices for A/B testing of “plus components,”  helping GiveDirectly to rapidly and iteratively identify components with the greatest potential boost to cost-effectiveness. • Direct the development of models to predict and communicate GiveDirectly’s impact at scale, including cost-effectiveness and ROI models used for internal decision-making and external influence. • Set standards ensuring that M&E data are embedded appropriately across GD systems (e.g. in our Program Quality framework, standard forms, country or product dashboards), partnering closely with the M&E team as the frontline of data quality assurance and analysis. • Make resourcing decisions and tradeoffs to enable this M&E agenda, advocating for the people, tools, and budget required, and helping define the organization’s risk appetite on measurement questions with high stakes for GD’s credibility. • Strategize and oversee formal research on high priority learning questions • Provide oversight and strategic direction for GiveDirectly’s research portfolio around the market-level effects of cash, as well as our cash plus coaching products, ensuring alignment with the theory of change and priority learning questions, without necessarily owning every study directly. • Strategically identify and cultivate research partnerships with individuals and institutions that advance GD’s understanding of key impact questions, and represent GD in high-stakes external research relationships. • Provide quality assurance and coordination on research led by direct reports or in-country staff. • Supporting product design • Provide analytical capacity and evidence synthesis for Product Leads and Program teams on variations in LLS, District Transformation, and Cash + Coaching product design. Help teams across the organization understand insights from non-GiveDirectly research, gauge the organization's interest and risk–tolerance for program adaptations, including through engagement with senior leaders. • Maintain reusable materials summarizing the evidence base underlying product design decisions, for use across Partnerships and Programs. Partner with the Research & Insights staff on high-leverage content that can be shared externally, or used to upskill GiveDirectly staff, on research methods and results. • Team leadership • Team leadership • Mentor direct reports and research-engaged staff across the organization to keep workstreams moving and improve team output. • Manage laterally and upward with senior leadership (Directors, Senior Directors, and above) outside the function to streamline support and resolve competing priorities.