Vice President, Research & Evidence

FHI 360 • US-REMOTE-DC, DC

2d • $185,000 - $210,000 • Remote

About The Position

The Vice President, Research & Evidence provides strategic leadership and oversight across FHI 360’s global research enterprise, advancing high‑quality, ethical, and impactful research aligned with organizational priorities and mission. This role builds and sustains a high‑performing research ecosystem—delivering technical excellence today while strengthening future capabilities, expanding markets, and developing research leadership for long-term impact. This is a senior leadership role with enterprise-wide influence, responsibility for strategic direction, and accountability for financial and technical performance across complex global research initiatives.

Requirements

• Master’s degree (or international equivalent) in International Development, Public Health, Research, Education, Economics, Environment, Nutrition, Technology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 15 years of relevant experience leading complex national or international research portfolios with at least 9 years of senior leadership and line management experience overseeing complex research or program portfolios.
• Demonstrated expertise in research design, ethical standards, compliance, and risk management.
• Strong strategic leadership, change management, and relationship‑building skills.
• Significant experience working within nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).

Nice To Haves

• Doctorate degree.
• Experience with US Government, private sector, and philanthropic donors.
• Relevant certifications in research management or organizational leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead the enterprise research strategy, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, market opportunities, and emerging global research needs.
• Champion innovation, adaptive research models, and new methodologies that expand relevance, quality, and impact.
• Set and uphold high standards for research rigor, ethics, integrity, and compliance across all portfolios.
• Provide oversight of complex, global research initiatives to ensure strong technical quality, ethical compliance, and financial stewardship.
• Serve as the escalation point for risks, including safeguarding and protocol violations, ensuring timely mitigation and resolution.
• Ensure research decisions reflect local contexts and ethical considerations in diverse implementation environments.
• Lead high-level relationships with funders, sponsors, and partners, shaping positioning and investment decisions in partnership with Strategy and Resource Mobilization (SRM).
• Identify priority research opportunities and strategic partnerships to support growth and market leadership.
• Cultivate collaborative relationships with academic institutions, NGOs, and other stakeholders to advance research utilization.
• Build and sustain a strong leadership culture that emphasizes empowerment, accountability, innovation, and cross‑portfolio collaboration.
• Lead and support Senior Directors in growing research portfolios, leaders, and emerging technical areas.
• Foster continuous learning, professional development, and performance excellence across the Research & Evidence workforce.
• Partner across Programs and Research Group (PRG), Global Operations and Services (GOS), Strategy and Resource Mobilization (SRM), enterprise services, and regional teams to advance organizational objectives.
• Support consistent standards, governance, and collaboration with global research operations and services teams.

Benefits

• FHI 360 contributes 7% of monthly base pay to a money purchase pension plan account.
• All US based staff working full-time, which is calculated at 40 hours/week, receive 18 days of paid vacation per year, 12 sick days per year, and 11 holidays per year.
• Paid time off is reduced pro rata for employees working less than a full-time schedule.
• competitive benefits package
• professional development
• policies and programs that support a healthy work/life balance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive