Research Director/Chief of Party - Research and Development Activity (Proposal)

The World at Abt 

Solving the world’s most pressing issues and improving the quality of life for people worldwide is what we do every day at Abt Global. Creating a more equitable world is no small task, but we are driven by big challenges. We are a team of 3,000+ people in over 50 countries working in unison and focused on the bigger picture. Only by sharing our commitment, energy, and innovation do we affect change and push the boundaries of what’s possible. We welcome diverse ideas, backgrounds, and viewpoints – joining Abt means access to exceptional thinkers at the top of their game. To thrive at Abt is to embrace flexibility and collaboration. Our open culture allows you to balance your work and personal life as needed to optimize personal well-being. Creating a more equitable world starts from within – we look after people around the world, and we’ll do the same for you. Ready to embrace rewarding and meaningful work? Now’s your chance. 

The Opportunity 

Abt seeks a Research Director/Chief of Party for the USAID-funded Bureau of Policy, Learning and Resource Management (PLR) Research and Analytics for Development (RAD) Activity. The goal of this activity is to deliver high-quality analytical and evidence building services to USAID including analyses, assessments, impact evaluations, and other analytical services. 

As COP, you will be responsible for providing overall management, direction and administrative oversight to ensure compliance and quality.  You will foster an environment of rigor, creativity, and learning, motivating a high caliber team of researchers and staff to synthesize, generate, and promote the uptake of evidence with the goal of improving USAID programming and results.  

Work is expected to begin in late 2024-early 2025. This position is contingent upon award to Abt Global and USAID approval of personnel.   
 
Core Responsibilities 
 

• Provide strategic managerial and technical leadership for the program to ensure quality and timely delivery of all activities and deliverables.  

• Serve as the primary liaison with USAID and serve as the principal leadership and point of contact for the project.   

• Ensure that all project staff, personnel, and subcontractors understand their roles and responsibilities and comply with USAID and Abt policies and procedures.  

• Oversee the development of and adherence to technical quality standards and processes for evaluations, surveys, and analytical studies. 

• Manage the project’s operational, financial, and administrative priorities; lead planning, implementation and budgeting activities.  

• Serve as the main point of contact for Abt Associates’ home office, USAID, partners, and project counterparts. 

• Build and maintain excellent working relationships with USAID, project partners, and key stakeholders, and regularly coordinate project direction with USAID to ensure strategic alignment, collaborative learning, and adaptation. 

• Guide the team to accomplish the project’s strategic goals and objectives. 

• Build partnerships among international- and national-level stakeholders, including research institutions, policymakers, and practitioners. 

• Supervise and manage staff and consultants, communicate expectations for the team and delegate responsibilities as required. 

• Support the communication of project results and outputs through academic publications, reports, policy briefs, national and international forums and other appropriate avenues.   

What We Value 
 

• Bachelor’s Degree + Fifteen years of relevant experience, or Master’s Degree + Twelve years of relevant experience, or PhD + Ten years of relevant experience
• At least ten years of experience in performance and impact evaluation, research, field surveys, assessments, and other analytical tasks. This experience should include strong quantitative analysis skills.  
• A PhD degree in a relevant field such as economics, statistics, public policy, social sciences or a related field. 
• Demonstrated leadership, management, and operational experience in overseeing multiple tasks and priorities at the same time, and effectively determining priority actions. This includes experience managing large-scale, worldwide research and analytica