Director, Education Research & Evaluation- Vacancy

Job title:Director, Education Research & Evaluation
Location: Washington, D.C or New York City, NY.
Deadline: 19 June 2013Organization Profile
Job Description
FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in Health, Education, Nutrition, Environment, Economic Development, Civil Society, Gender, Youth, Research and Technology– creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today’s interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 60 countries, all 50 U.S. states and all U.S. territories.  We seek qualified candidates for the position of Director, Education Research & Evaluation in Washington, D.C or New York City, NY.

Position Description:

• FHI 360’s education programs in the United States and around the world improve teaching and learning, increase access to educational opportunities for underserved populations including children and youth with disabilities, create more opportunities for girls and integrate technology to enhance teaching and learning. Our work promotes teacher development and emphasizes student-centered learning. Our experts engage in research, evaluation and policy development to ensure lasting and system-wide change.
• Education research and evaluation experts at FHI 360 conduct quantitative and qualitative research and evaluation on programs that address the full life span–– from early childhood to adulthood. They have evaluated hundreds of large-scale, multi-site initiatives, including science and math, educational reform, teacher education, professional development, risk-behavior prevention, school effectiveness, the cost-effectiveness of schooling and school and community health initiatives. FHI 360 is especially known in the education and youth communities for three innovative approaches: (1) conducting “critical friend” evaluations, in which the staff manage feedback loops wherein evaluative information and data analysis are shared with program staff in a timely and practical fashion; (2) building state, local, and practitioner capacity to design and conduct evaluations, and to be informed consumers of evaluation; and (3) measuring student’s opportunity to learn by documenting the loss of time in schools and classrooms and linking the results to learning.
• Blending methodological expertise, deep content knowledge, and a passion for improving systems that support human development, FHI 360’s education research reflects a multidisciplinary approach in developing innovative strategies for measuring the impact of promising programs designed to improve teaching and learning and translating research findings into practice. Whether in multi-site longitudinal studies or in smaller evaluations, FHI 360 works with international and U.S. program implementers and funders to develop the best methods for assessing the extent of educational improvement and the quality of outcomes.
• FHI 360 seeks a Director of Education Research and Evaluation to lead its efforts to build its capacity to contribute to knowledge in U.S. and global education. The Director will lead a team of research and evaluation staff in securing and managing a portfolio of grants and contracts from federal, state, and local agencies, corporations, and foundations.  S/he will work closely with researchers in the U.S. Education and Workforce Development Group and the Global Learning Group, as well as with FHI 360 researchers in other sectors.

The Director, Education Research & Evaluation will:

•     Lead business development opportunities to secure funding for conducting education research and evaluation; network with potential funders (public and private) and partners; strategically plan business development efforts in emerging content areas related to international and U.S. education.
•     Serve as a Principal Investigator on multiple projects and manage a portfolio of research and evaluation projects, staff, and budgets.
•     Lead and manage quality improvement and evaluation efforts for FHI 360’s projects through the use of a set of technical quality standards, and collect evidence of program effectiveness.
•     Serve as a resource and internal consultant to FHI 360 staff, contributing significant expertise in research, program evaluation, data collection, analysis, and interpretation; and constructive feedback for program improvement based on outcomes measurement.
•     Report and present internally and externally on research and evaluation findings.
•     Ensure compliance with all stipulated national standards and guidelines for evaluation and research practices (e.g., IRB, OMB); direct and establish standards for education evaluation data collection activities (both qualitative and quantitative).

Minimal Requirements:

•     Deep content knowledge of issues and debates in international and/or U.S. education, particularly in the following areas: education reform initiatives from P-16; formal and in-formal education; career development and workforce training; education in crisis and conflict regions; measuring learning; and teacher development and school leadership.
•     Proven experience in business development and expanding research and evaluation portfolios. Demonstrated ability to win grants and contracts.
•     Deep knowledge and experience with quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, including (but not limited to) ethnography, randomized cluster trials, and impact evaluations. Knowledge of strategic planning principles and practices.
•     Experience in developing, publishing, and disseminating research.
•     Experience in effectively managing, supervising, mentoring, and evaluating assigned staff. Demonstrated ability to lead others in research and dissemination.
•     Effective verbal and written communication skills.
•     Experience in establishing and maintaining effective and collegial working relationships; demonstrated ability to foster collaboration across research and program teams.
•     Knowledge of data confidentiality and human subjects protection requirements.
•     Supervises approximately 3-5 researchers; an administrative assistant.
•     Approximately 10-15 post-doctorate years in education research & evaluation
•     A successful history of obtaining and implementing grants and contracts
•     Visibility among external education and youth development researchers
•     A strong publication and presentation record
•     Experience in both U.S. and international education preferred
•     Strong formal and informal connections and relationships with multiple, varied funders (federal, state, private), partners, and with colleges and universities;
•     Collegial spirit and sense of humor
•     Flexibility and adaptability to a changing organizational structure

How to apply:
 visit; https://www.devex.com/en/jobs/337390