Senior Policy Specialist

AidData produces novel data, tools, and research that answers the question: who is funding, what, where, for whom, and to what effect around the world? AidData has an explicit focus on data and research that meets high academic standards but is also accessible and relevant for a broad audience of international relations practitioners, policymakers, journalists, and scholars. AidData’s work is made possible by generous financial support of international organizations such as the World Bank and United Nations, private philanthropies such as the Hewlett and Gates Foundations, and government agencies such as the US Department of State and USAID.

The Senior Policy Specialist will lead a wide variety of strategic initiatives and offers a unique opportunity to work on cutting edge research projects with major policy stakeholders. The individual in this position will take the lead in scoping and producing applied policy research that leverages rigorous methods to answer real-world policy questions in an accessible way for a broad audience of users. The individual will manage engagements with a multitude of stakeholders/partners to encourage uptake and use of AidData data products and research, representing the unit’s work with external research and policy communities. The individual will support the Director in identifying high-value lines of inquiry and data production needs to power future research. Responsibilities include policy analysis, policy outreach and research translation, management of novel data collection and analytics projects, business development and client management, project management.

This position will require significant judgment and discretion in the following areas: (i) ability to conceptualize design of new policy research projects; (ii) ability to operationalize policy research such as in preparing and executing analytical plans, and producing final research publications, in collaboration with external partners, think tanks, and funders); (iii) ability to pilot and scale new data collection and research methodologies; and (iv) ability to broker new connections to increase the visibility of AidData’s data and research with a wide range of policy and research audiences.

This position is based at AidData at William & Mary's Global Research Institute in Williamsburg, Virginia. This is a full-time position, and salary is commensurate with experience in the U11 range (see Salary Structure for University Employees), starting at $50,000 up to $72,500. This is a restricted position subject to availability of funding. This position is remote-work eligible (works remotely at least 1 day per week but not full-time). Remote work eligibility is not guaranteed and is subject to approval.