Vp, Research, Analytics And Insights

Vice President of Research, Analytics, and Insights

Washington, DC

About PAI

PAI is a nonprofit, civil society organization based in Washington, D.C. Founded almost 60 years ago, we work to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all people through U.S. and global advocacy, partnerships with multisectoral institutions and the funding of community-based organizations across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

PAI envisions a world where all people can fully realize their sexual and reproductive health and rights to achieve health equity, economic well-being, and gender equality. We believe that equitable progress for sexual and reproductive health and rights is central in achieving urgent and sustained gains for the health, equality and prosperity of women, youth, and at-risk communities around the world.

PAI advocates on the global stage and works with policymakers in Washington, D.C., to drive supportive and expansive U.S. foreign aid and policy for sexual and reproductive health care. We also provide flexible funding and strategic and technical advocacy support to community-based, women-led, youth-led and youth-focused organizations in over 30 countries, so local advocates can advance sexual and reproductive health investment and policy priorities in their own countries and communities.

PAI has embarked upon a new era of impact and excellence. We are committed to sharing our strengths, elevating the achievements of peer civil society organizations around the world, and using evidence, data, analytics, and policy insights to identify priorities for action and hold U.S. and global decision-makers accountable.

In the face of ongoing threats to sexual and reproductive health and rights in the United States and around the world, PAI and our network of advocates are not only tackling these threats, but also advancing an agenda for progress where rights can be respected and realized. We are excited to bring on new team members who are inspired by our mission and are committed to community-led advocacy, policy accountability, and collective action to demand, protect, and advance sexual and reproductive health care for all.  To learn more visit pai.org

About the Role

The Vice President of Research, Analytics & Insights (VP) is responsible for advancing the organization’s research, data, and evidence agenda and implementing a strategy to collect, evaluate and/or translate data and insights for evidence-informed policy advocacy to improve and advance access to and uptake of sexual and reproductive health services. 

The VP will work across departments, with global and regional research institutions, PAI’s global partner network and interdisciplinary scientists and researchers to generate high-quality evidence and communicate evidence strategically to influence social, economic and health policies and investments.

The VP will shape and build a research, insights and data analysis function at PAI, amplify evidence and learnings from PAI’s grant programs, build SRHR implementation research-focused partnerships with PAI funded partners, Global South research institutions and research leadership at multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and institutions, and consolidate and amplify the evidence base linking SRHR and gender equality, climate resilience, maternal and adolescent health, economic development, health equity and more. 

The VP will lead the development and submission of papers and editorials for peer reviewed journals, abstracts and panel proposals for technical and academic conferences, and establish knowledge management systems to meet donor and institutional needs and requirements.  The VP will work closely with PAI’s President & CEO, VP of Strategy and Growth and Programs leadership and staff, lead proposal development for data, research and innovation grants in partnership with PAI partners and manage multi-year research and innovation partnerships. 

The VP may supervise two to four staff as the function grows and will report to the President & CEO.   In addition, the VP will support PAI’s engagement and represent PAI in high-level technical and research-focused committees and commissions.  The VP must be able to work effectively across multiple departments and bring exceptional communications and problem-solving skills, strong analytical and strategic skills as well as financial, operational and organizational management experience and enthusiasm to a range of organizational and donor requirements and PAI’s mission and mandate.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Strategy and Vision

• Develop and execute a vision and research strategy to analyze and elevate data, analytics and insights from PAI programs of work and advocacy and accountability impact.
• Formulate a Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) agenda for PAI, advancing a prioritized SRHR research-for-policy agenda with Global South academic and research institutions.
• Leverage data and insights in global gatherings, peer-reviewed journals, and technical UN working groups (UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO PAHO.

Research and Partnerships

• Establishes, manages, and collaborates with existing and new high-value external research and evidence partnerships that will influence our ability to improve SRHR outcomes during the life course.

• Partner with multi-lateral institutions and Global South research leaders to coordinate a prioritized SRHR research agenda that advances policy change and improves programs and SRHR advocacy.

• Provide leadership on issues related to SRHR implementation science including program design and methodologic rigor.

Community and Advocacy

• Serve as organizational senior technical spokesperson on new and emerging SRHR data, reports and science

• Collaborate with key internal and external partners and SRHR research and technical coalitions.

• Raise the profile of the importance and impact of SRHR advocacy and accountability through external presentations and publications.

• Translate new evidence, guidance and SRHR protocols for policy advocacy and coalition action.

• Identify priority SRHR research and evidence partnerships and collaborations with partners to develop meaningful, high impact projects with measurable outcomes.

• Strategize and work closely with appropriate internal departments, including Programs, Development and Communications to fully leverage appropriate expertise and research and technical expertise.

• Foster strong and continuous relationships with technical and research counterparts at donor agencies.

• Supervise 2 – 4 staff.

• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience Requirements

• PhD in implementation science, demography, health sciences and/or public health or other advanced degree.

• At least 20 years of related public health research and technical experience including 5 – 7 years in an executive leadership role, 10 years within gender equality, women’s health or global health sectors.

• At least 5 – 7 years working on SRHR intersectional issues such as education, nutrition security, health equity, climate resilience, gender equality and/or economic empowerment.

• Demonstrated experience supervising teams and advancing organizational priorities.

• Demonstrated understanding of SRHR, gender, human rights and global health issues.

• Demonstrated strategy and high-level stakeholder engagement experience.

• Ability to travel internationally and domestically approximately 20% of the time.

• Notable experience in leading large, cross-functional research and evidence programs and initiatives.

• Superb leadership and management skills.

• Ability and confidence to make decisions with significant, broad implications for the management and operations of multiple departments or an organization.

• Ability to effectively hold direct reports and cross-department teams accountable to achieve agreed-to goals and commitments, and organizational norms.

• Proven track record in activating major, multi-year, multi-stakeholder research and innovation grant programs.

• Demonstrated ability to track and understand bi-lateral and multi-lateral donor and sector strategic priorities to inform research and evidence generation strategies and elevate organizational evidence and data insights.

• Ability to communicate complex information effectively in writing to global and national high-level leaders and stakeholders, major donors and foundations, and external partners across sectors.

• Proven ability to develop and maintain effective internal and external relationships with representatives of various sectors, including funders, CSO partners, academic institutions and/or bi-lateral and multi-lateral technical leaders.

• Ability to represent PAI on high-level research and technical committees before a variety of diverse audiences and in a wide range of situations.

• Demonstrated ability to bridge PAI’s data and evidence with urgent policy needs and donor interests to demonstrate our research heft, relevance and institutional leadership.

• Advanced skills with Microsoft applications which may include Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint or Access and other web-based applications. May produce complex documents, perform analysis, and maintain databases.

• Strong organizational skills and ability to multi-task and deal effectively with multiple time-sensitive priorities.

Salary and Benefits:

This position is based in Washington, D.C., the salary range for this role is $175,000 to $185,000 USD, plus benefits. The final offer for a successful candidate will be determined by a combination of factors, including, but not limited to, skill set, level of experience, education, and market considerations.  PAI offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, dental and vision care, direct contribution 403(b) retirement plan, and flexible spending account.

Other Information:

Please note, the position is on a hybrid work schedule currently. Three days a week, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays during PAI’s business hours, are required in the PAI office in Dupont Circle with two days working from home.

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States and will be subject to a background check.

PAI believes it is strengthened by the diversity of its staff, and welcomes such diversity, including race, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, educational attainment, disability, and veteran status. PAI welcomes applications from people of all cultures, backgrounds, and experiences, and strongly encourages people of color and persons with disabilities to apply. PAI actively cultivates an institutional culture that reflects the values of respect, equity, and inclusion that it seeks to amplify in its work. PAI offers a competitive benefits package.