ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT, RESEARCH, EVIDENCE AND MEAL

JOB SUMMARY: As part of CARE's core commitment to data, evidence, and learning, the AVP of Research, Evidence, and MEAL will lead a team of high-performing staff who deliver impact evidence, evaluations, research, cost analysis, and data for decision making across CARE's entire program portfolio. The AVP will guide CARE's strategic investments on research, data, and value for money, as well as strengthen core capabilities in evaluation, impact measurement, and translating data for decision-making at all levels. Responsible for a matrixed team, the AVP will partner closely with country offices, resource development, technical teams, advocacy, and marketing and comms to ensure that data is actionable, appropriate to the audiences that need it, and produced with standard tools and systems that provide high-quality, reliable data across the portfolio. The AVP will ensure that we are collaborating across CARE to deliver actionable evidence that drives decision making. The AVP will also be responsible for external representation and research partnerships, ensuring that our external publications and presentations are drawing from the best evidence available, and are fit for purpose and for the intended audience--from donors to advocacy audiences to key external partners, especially in the research and learning space. This includes technical thought leadership on key issues like feedback and accountability, value for money, evidence and learning, and how data is driving CARE's strategy and decision making. The AVP coordinates with CARE's Digital and Strategy teams to tell the story of CARE's strategy with reliable, responsible data, and that our investment in evidence and learning are aligned with our strategic vision and goals. Also coordinates with digital to ensure the best possible uses of AI for evidence and learning. RESPONSIBILITIES: Building high quality evidence Managing the Evidence team (and cohort) to deliver high quality evidence, MEAL standards, and data platforms that give CARE the reliable, timely, targeted evidence required for strategic decision making. This includes overseeing: A sharply prioritized pipeline of a few high-quality impact evaluations that will produce evidence necessary to build the case for CARE’s signature programs. Positioning CARE as an organization that is setting the curve on qualitative and human-centered data approaches. Data systems that produce evidence that allows us to tell the story of the CARE US strategy with data—comparable, quality, compatible datasets. Build the tools and processes that allow country and project teams to deliver on these goals. Value for Money and costing analyses to ensure we are constantly pushing the envelope on efficiency in our programming. Managing a matrixed team of MEAL professionals who are using their time more efficiently to deliver high-quality evidence and learning to deliver results for COs, technical teams, and donor audiences Producing knowledge products that are audience-appropriate Managing the Knowledge, Management, and Learning team (and cohort) to deliver products that provide consistent data and stories across our signature programs, our highest impact projects, and our global strategy. Working with CARE's stakeholders and external audiences to create tools and templates that all teams use to share content with advocacy audiences, donors, brand, and marketing audiences. Where appropriate, help technical teams use existing tools and templates, and ensure content across technical teams is using shared approaches and delivering for key thought leadership and positioning needs. Partner closely with the advocacy, RD, and Communications Center of Excellence to create products and processes that will efficiently meet their team needs. Manage the tools and processes that provide high-quality customer service to Country Offices and project teams, and that make the cohort a successful group that cost-recovers its time. Managing External partnerships Manage partnerships with universities like Harvard, Emory, and Stanford to deliver research, internship and fellowship opportunities, and positioning opportunities for CARE's teams, partners, and signature approaches. Pursue key strategic partnerships (like JPAL or Gallup) that will deliver cutting edge research and evidence that builds the business case for CARE's work. External Representation Partner with the resource development teams, the advocacy team, and the Office of the President to ensure that CARE is putting it's best foot forward in external spaces. Backstop for program and project teams to represent CARE's work externally where appropriate. Continue to build CARE's brand and visibility as a technical leader and as a leader in evidence and learning