Research Director

Dexis is seeking an experienced Research Director to develop a research agenda and plan and/or support the execution of a series of activities in the area of public–private alliances for international development. Other key responsibilities are to contribute to Global Partnerships’ monitoring and evaluation strategy and to help establish USAID a global thought leader in public–private alliances for international development.The candidate will report to the Chief of Party for the Technical Services Support on a regular basis. This position is part of the Technical Services Support contract with Dexis Consulting Group to oversee the research and technical leadership agenda for Global Partnerships Division, Office of Innovation and Development Alliance, US Agency for International Development. The position will be based in Washington, DC and is a full time position expected for the remaining three year duration of the contract. Ideal candidates for the position bring experience in designing and executing research activities, knowledge of public–private partnerships for international development, analytical skills and creative thinking, and the ability to draw insights from disparate sources that are both quantitative and qualitative in nature.

Below is a sample of illustrative duties:

Research Design and Execution:

• Develop a research agenda and plan and/or support the execution of a series of activities in the area of public–private alliances for international development.
• Synthesize research and build compelling recommendations to inform innovative strategies that will produce measurable impact and return on investment.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Develop strategies for measuring the impact of public–private alliances
• Work with Global Partnerships staff and others at USAID to raise awareness about these strategies
• Engage stakeholders to identify monitoring and evaluation needs, develop key performance indicators, and develop plans for implementing measurement

Thought Leadership:

• Contribute to advancing the field of public–private alliances for international development through publishing and facilitating USAID staff in publishing and pursuing speaking engagements and other activities that boost the profile of USAID and of public–private alliances for international development.
• Stay current on trends in field and sector

The ideal candidate should meet the following qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Masters in economics, sociology, economics, or related applied field
• 8+ years’ experience in designing and implementing research projects in international development
• Project experience should include monitoring and evaluation or application of analytics and business judgment to international development issues
• Strong understanding of the following research and data collection activities: competitive landscaping, market sizing, qualitative interview and focus group design, quantitative survey design, quantitative data analysis, market segmentation, and customer profiling
• Demonstrated leadership and ability to work collaboratively with a diverse group of internal and external stakeholders
• Excellent writing and presentation skills
• Proficiency in both Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint required; experience with Access or other statistical software

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with public-private alliances for international development
• Experience working and thriving with limited information and data in developing country contexts
• Possesses extensive network from the variety of audiences engaged in public–private alliances, including academia, think tanks, intermediary organizations, donors, the private sector, and nongovernmental organizations

Dexis Consulting Group is a fast growing consulting firm that provides economic revitalization services to developing regions worldwide. Established in 2001, the firm has completed over 175 assignments in over 40 countries. The company head offices are located in Downtown Washington, DC, across from USAID. Dexis is an equal opportunity employer.

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