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.
The role
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.
Key roles and responsibilities
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
Experience and skills
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