Center for Global Development

Position Title/Short Description

Full Text of JOE Listing:

The Center for Global Development (CGD) is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit policy research organization in Washington, DC and London, UK that focuses on the issues and institutions that are critical to inclusive development. Through rigorous empirical research and active engagement with the global policy community, we focus on the policy intersections of low- and middle-income countries and the governments, institutions, and corporations that can be partners in delivering greater progress.

The Center is seeking a Research Fellow or Senior Fellow (depending on experience and credentials) to lead one or more areas of research on women’s economic empowerment and other gender and development policy issues. The Senior Fellow will define and undertake an agenda of creative, policy-oriented research that looks at issues of high importance to the global gender equality community. Although the primary focus for this recruitment is a Fellow who can lead CGD’s research on gender and development, we are open to applicants from any area of applied development economics related to CGD’s work.

CGD’s gender equality work aims to identify evidence-based interventions and policies to promote women’s economic empowerment, as well as provide guidance on how best to measure progress. We work with colleagues across CGD to integrate an intersectional gender lens into our other programs, such as those focused on global health, education, and migration, as well as into CGD’s own institutional policies. We aim to leverage CGD’s influence on donor institutions and other high-level decision-makers, positioning ourselves both as a go-to resource for learning and a level of accountability, pushing global leaders towards evidence-based policies and investments that promote gender equality.

The Research Fellow or Senior Fellow’s principal responsibilities will include:

Design and lead cutting edge research that informs policy debates (with a preference for work on women’s economic empowerment and other areas of global gender equality, but including other areas of global development related to CGD’s work)
Contribute to the intellectual leadership of CGD’s work
Provide input into the strategic direction to the Center’s overall gender strategy
Support the mobilization financial resources to support the Center’s work on gender equality and/or other areas, as relevant to CGD’s work
Engage in related policy outreach activities, including speaking engagements, blogging, and interacting at a high level with key individuals and groups in the donor and technical communities
Participate in expert group consultations and working groups
Publish blogs, papers, policy briefs, and/or short commentaries targeted to policymakers, academics, and CGD’s public audience
Track and respond to research and policy developments in relevant areas
Review and support CGD colleagues’ research and analysis in relevant areas
Supervise and help professionally develop entry-level research assistants
Engage and contribute to the institution’s wider initiatives around diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as a playing a key part in creating a culture which aligns with our mission and values

The successful candidate ideally possesses the following qualifications:

Strong preference for a doctoral degree in economics or a related field, but equivalent research track records will be considered
Extensive experience in the gender and/or development space with a long record of publication and policy influence, and a network of strong professional relationships
Body of original, scholarly work applying quantitative research to economic and institutional issues
Significant knowledge of current issues and debates in gender equality and/or economic development and related issues within low- and middle-income countries, as well as at IFIs and other donor institutions
Excellent oral and written communication skills, as well as high level organizational skills
Ability to work collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team while remaining individually accountable for delivering on research agenda

​​​​​​​Interested candidates should submit a CV, cover letter, and sample publication. Inquiries can be made to Luke Easley, leasley@cgdev.org.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic our organization continues to work primarily remote. CGD has implemented a fully virtual onboarding process, and candidates should be comfortable working productively and managing others in a remote environment. Flexibility to adapt to shifting priorities and tasks will be key. We intend to return to in-person work more fully in early 2022. This position will be required to work primarily in-person along with the rest of our staff at that time, with some flexibility for partial/occasional remote work. CGD is registered to employ staff living in DC, Maryland, Virginia and (via CGD Europe) - the UK. Candidates must be able to live and work in one of these locations to be considered.

In compliance with United States federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document upon hire. CGD will sponsor United States work authorization for this position. Candidates who wish to be based in the UK should have the right to live and work in the UK or be willing to relocate as an employee of the US organization via a company transfer. Any offer of employment requiring sponsored work authorization is contingent on CGD and the candidate’s ability to successfully petition for and secure the necessary work visa(s).

CGD celebrates fostering a collaborative, diverse, and inclusive work environment. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, parental status, or veteran status. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons. However, we particularly encourage applications from underrepresented or historically marginalized groups. All appointments will be made on merit of skill and experience relative to the role.