Director of International Health Research

Mathematica applies expertise at the intersection of data, methods, policy, and practice to address complex social challenges and improve well-being around the world.

We create and use evidence to help our public and private sector partners improve programs, refine strategies, and advance knowledge.

Over the past two decades, Mathematica has developed a large portfolio of international development work that spans more than 50 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe.

Our work provides actionable learning to guide decision-making and improve outcomes in a range of policy areas, including health, agriculture, energy, education, and workforce development.

Mathematica seeks a visionary, entrepreneurial Director of International Health Research to join its International Research unit.

The Director will help grow and shape Mathematica’s robust international health portfolio, which spans multiple areas, including reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health; nutrition; water, sanitation, and hygiene; systems strengthening; and infectious disease.

Across these areas, we collaborate with a range of partners, including bilateral and multilateral agencies, foundations, corporate philanthropies, donor collaboratives, and implementing organizations.

The Director will engage with these and other partners to identify their evidence and learning needs and craft a tailored strategy for meeting these needs that leverages Mathematica’s wide-ranging capabilities and expertise.

The Director will be a leading international health expert and thought leader with an entrepreneurial spirit; have a strong track record of research excellence; and bring deep experience using measurement, evaluation, and learning to drive strategy and decision-making for a range of partners.

The Director should exemplify Mathematica’s mission and commitment to innovation and quality.

The ideal candidate will have prior experience leading professionals in a dynamic research or consulting environment, substantial content knowledge across a range of health program and policy issues, and a comfort level engaging with other thought leaders, clients, and decision-makers to represent Mathematica.

Responsibilities

Strategy and portfolio development

• Develop and operationalize a strategy for advancing Mathematica’s position as a leader in the generation and use of data and evidence within the international health sector

• Create a portfolio development approach that is systematic, strategic, and forward thinking in its ability to anticipate future trends and funding priorities across international health clients

• Deepen and cultivate relationships with key government, philanthropy, multilateral, and other actors in the international health arena

• Create and pursue opportunities to present and discuss Mathematica’s work to funders, policymakers, implementers, and other stakeholders

Thought leadership and capacity-building

• Develop and oversee processes to deepen and expand staff expertise and know-how in the international health sector; such processes could include targeted internal staff trainings, distinguished speaker series, and informal knowledge exchange among staff members

• Support dissemination of Mathematica’s research and work through articles in peer-reviewed journals, gray literature publications, conference papers, blog posts, social media, and other dissemination channels

• Participate in key conferences and other forums, as well as expert groups and advisory committees, to engage with key players in the international health sector, keep abreast of critical trends, and share Mathematica’s work where it is most useful

• Mentor and develop junior staff and advise leadership on talent needs

Project leadership and quality assurance

• Lead large and complex projects and serve as a trusted advisor and learning partner to clients

• Provide thought leadership and support across Mathematica’s international health portfolio to ensure technical excellence and responsiveness to client and other stakeholders’ learning and decision-making needs

Requirements

• Visionary leader who is strategic and passionate about Mathematica’s mission and delivering the best solutions to our clients

• Strong commitment to client-centered approaches that prioritize client needs and goals

• Demonstrated leadership, strategic thinking, relationship-building, and management skills

• Proven capability in successfully developing and leading new areas of work and managing teams to perform that work

• An entrepreneurial and creative approach to developing new, innovative ideas that will stretch the organization

• Powerful communicator and careful listener who effectively engages and inspires clients and colleagues

• At least 10 years of experience leading initiatives and projects that use measurement, evaluation, and learning to drive strategy development, program design, and decision-making for bilateral and multilateral agencies, foundations, and/or other organizations

• Understanding of the international health funding landscape and a track record of securing contracts and/or grants from bilateral and multilateral agencies, foundations, and other organizations

• Established research record (contributions to peer-reviewed journals and gray literature publications and presentations at conferences and other expert forums)

• Stellar written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to (1) convey complex technical issues to non-expert audiences and (2) present and share research results in a way that resonates with clients, practitioners, and policymakers

• PhD or Master’s degree in social science, public health, or relevant discipline, with a minimum of 15 years of professional experience in the international health sector

• Experience in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa is preferred

• Ability to travel internationally

• Fluency in at least one language in addition to English preferred

Mathematica offers our employees competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package, as well as the advantages of being 100 percent employee owned.

As an employee stock owner, you will experience financial benefits of ESOP holdings that have increased in tandem with the company’s growth and financial strength.

You will also be part of an independent, employee-owned firm that is able to define and further our mission, enhance our quality and accountability, and steadily grow our financial strength.