United Nations Foundation

Associate Director, Research, DIAL

Employment Opportunity - Remote - Full Time

The salary range is equivalent to 140,000 to 150,00 USD.

About the Digital Impact Alliance 

The Digital Impact Alliance (DIAL) works to advance a more equitable world by putting the rights and aspiration of people at the center of digital transformation. To that end, we connect people with evidence to design digital systems and tools that work for society through research, demonstrations, and policy advocacy. We collaborate with others to promote digital systems and governance approaches that maximize participation, agency, choice and trust, with a particular focus on effective data exchange systems and strong data governance. 
Hosted by the United Nations Foundation, DIAL is a partnership among the world’s leading digital development champions, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, and the German Development Cooperation Agency (GIZ), among others.

Position Overview

DIAL’s research team produces practical guidance and actionable insights into people-centered approaches to digital transformation to support policymakers, technologists, and those who collaborate with them in navigating the complex choices they are faced with today and those they will be faced with as technologies, business models, and consumer expectations evolve. 
DIAL is seeking an Associate Director to provide expert technical guidance to DIAL’s research portfolio and assume leadership responsibilities for managing specific research initiatives.  The incumbent will advise on DIAL’s overall research agenda, be a key translator between DIAL’s research team and DIAL’s policy and technology teams, and regularly contribute to the production of evidence-based research. The role requires someone who can keep abreast of policy developments and strategic context; understands how DIAL’s impact can be achieved through partnerships and influencing others; and is able to lead a team effectively with minimal supervision.

This position is remote. 

Essential Functions

The Associate Director will have the following primary responsibilities:
Research (50%) 
  • Manage multiple research projects across various domains and geographies, ensuring alignment with overall DIAL’s research objectives, and ensuring coherence and quality of project outputs;
  • Identify, cultivate, and maintain strategic connections to leading thinkers and key partners for DIAL’s research priorities;
  • Track dynamic digital transformation and data governance trends to identify and incorporate new topics into DIAL’s research portfolio as part of regular strategic planning processes for the organization;
Technical Advisory (20%)
  • Serve as the lead technical advisor to the research team and the primary translator of technical research insights to various internal and external audiences;
  • Provide technical and strategic inputs into the research team strategy and advise on the team’s annual and project-specific workplans.
  • Direct cross-team collaborations internally to support production of joint knowledge products and research, translating DIAL’s research insights into practical resources for DIAL’s policy, technology, and country engagement teams;
Project Management (20%)
  • Proactively create and secure funding and partnership opportunities to support DIAL’s research projects ;
  • Accountable for planning and providing oversight of specific research program workplans;
  • Coach and counsel team members at all levels in their research design and implementation;
Other (10%)
  • Lead the efforts to translate technical research findings and insights into accessible, clear content for diverse audiences and mentor junior staff in doing the same;
  • Provide inputs into DIAL-wide strategy and organizational development;
  • Other duties as reasonably assigned.
Selection Criteria
  • Bachelor’s degree required in business, information technology, international relations or in a field related to the post description. Master’s degree preferred.
  • 8-10 years professional experience with and knowledge of geopolitical affairs and digital development. 
  • Strong conceptual and analytical skills, demonstrated problem solving abilities, and experience in requirement gathering in a multi-stakeholder setting required. 
  • Ability to engage in multiple projects and develop approaches to resolve a wide range of issues. Individual should be detail-oriented, creative, inquisitive, committed and self- motivated. 
  • Excellent communication skills (spoken and written), including ability to convey complex technical concepts to various audiences both orally and in writing in a clear, concise manner.
  • Ability to organize, plan and implement work assignments, manage competing demands and work under pressure of frequent and tight deadlines.
  • Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. 
  • Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
  • Ability to work under pressure and handle stress. 
  • Ability to meet regular attendance/tardiness policy.

Benefits & Compensation 

For full-time, U.S. benefit eligible employees, UNF offers an excellent range of benefits, including:

  • a choice between two health plans through UnitedHealthcare (PPO or HDHP with HSA)
  • dental insurance
  • vision insurance
  • flexible spending accounts
  • 403b retirement savings plan with a generous matching contribution
  • group term and supplemental life insurance
  • short-term disability
  • long-term disability
  • health club discounts
  • commuter subsidy
  • back-up care
  • employee assistance program

Additionally, all benefit eligible employees have 12 paid holidays, 20 vacation days, 10 sick days, 3 personal days, and 8 weeks of family leave care.

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