Director, Strategic Research & Evidence

Armenia + 6 more

• World Vision

Posted 4 Sep 2026 Closing date 13 Sep 2026

With 75 years of experience, our focus is on helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. We help children of all backgrounds, even in the most dangerous places, inspired by our Christian faith.

Come join our 33,000+ staff working in nearly 100 countries and share the joy of transforming vulnerable children’s life stories!

As Director, Strategic Research & Evidence, you will lead World Vision's applied research, evidence generation, and learning translation function, using child data across the partnership—including Annual Impact Measurement (AIM/AIM+), programme monitoring, evaluations, operational research, and commissioned studies—to produce decision-useful and externally credible evidence.

You will commission and lead applied research, evidence synthesis, and university partnerships; translate findings into actionable learning and strategic insight; and ensure evidence informs programme quality, fundraising, policy influence, and senior leadership decisions. Child Data Analytics & Insights will retain ownership of analytics, dashboards, data products, and analytical services.

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Statistics, Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Public Health, Data Science, Economics, Social Sciences, International Development, Evaluation, Implementation Science, or a related research-intensive discipline.
• Formal training in quantitative methods, research design, evaluation, data analysis, or equivalent professional experience.
• At least 12 years of progressive experience in faith and Development, applied research, evidence synthesis, impact evaluation, statistics/biostatistics, epidemiology, public health, economics, data science, or development/humanitarian evidence roles, including senior multi-country leadership responsibilities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead a research and evidence agenda or portfolio across multiple countries, sectors, stakeholders and evidence products.
• Proven technical expertise in quantitative and/or mixed-methods research using large household survey or programme datasets, including sampling, weighting, variance estimation, subgroup/equity analysis, trend or change analysis, and clear articulation of what claims evidence can and cannot support.
• Proven ability to work across sectors such as health, nutrition, WASH, livelihoods, child protection, climate/resilience, fragile contexts, humanitarian programming, and faith and development, drawing on sector specialists where required.
• Experience synthesising evidence across multiple data sources, including AIM/AIM+, programme monitoring, evaluations, operational research, grant/sponsorship evidence, external datasets and commissioned studies.
• Experience commissioning and overseeing external research studies, including research questions, TORs/RFPs, protocols, analysis plans, quality assurance, ethical review, data-use agreements, publication plans and dissemination plans.
• Strong applied skills in statistical software and/or data pipelines such as R, Python, Stata, SPSS or equivalent; familiarity with business intelligence tools such as Power BI or equivalent.
• Proven experience leading virtual, matrixed and cross-cultural teams and influencing senior stakeholders without relying solely on direct line authority.

• Must be fluent in English.

• The position requires ability and willingness to travel up to 15% of the time.
• Ability to work effectively in a global, virtual, matrixed environment across time zones.

For positions filled in the United States, the typical…