Position Overview

The Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA) works with a global network of partners to build a dynamic industry that makes clean cooking accessible to families around the world. Established in 2010, CCA supports the development, sale, distribution, and consistent use of clean cooking solutions that transform lives by improving health, protecting the climate and environment, and helping families save time and money. In alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals, CCA is working to achieve universal access to clean cooking by 2030.

The Senior Director, Research, Evidence, and Learning supports the Chief Science and Learning Officer (CSLO) in developing and executing strategies for program design and implementation, and providing technical guidance pertaining to research, data analysis, and monitoring, evaluation, & learning (MEL). They are an integral part of the Science, Evidence, and Learning (SEL) team (led by the CSLO) and are responsible for managing several members of the SEL team.

The Senior Director, Research, Evidence, and Learning reports directly to the CSLO and is an integral member of CCA’s extended senior leadership team. They work closely with all CCA teams to ensure alignment and integration of all Science, Evidence, and Learning objectives.

The Senior Director, Research, Evidence, and Learning leads and provides day-to-day management and oversight for CCA’s research, data analysis, and MEL activities. Specifically, they lead and commission CCA-sponsored research and develop the research communications for said research, in collaboration with the Advocacy and Communications team and in alignment with the Evidence to Impact Initiative.

The Senior Director, Research, Evaluation, and Learning is responsible for leading all MEL-related data collection and data analysis, including those related to CCA’s standard indicators. They are responsible for producing CCA’s annual MEL report, and they oversee CCA’s impact calculations and learning agenda, which spans across all CCA teams.

They support the CSLO in providing oversight to the Science, Evidence, and Learning Team by supporting strategy and program development, program implementation and reporting, including by supporting the CSLO in providing day-to-day management and oversight of CCA’s Science, Evidence and Learning Agenda in collaboration with the Senior Director, Climate Science and Standards.

Essential Functions

Leadership, strategy & program execution within portfolio:

• Manage the overall development, strategic planning, implementation, and management of CCA’s research, data analysis, and MEL efforts
• Support the CSLO in the overall development, strategic planning, implementation, and management of the Science, Evidence, and Learning Program
• Manage MEL and oversee all MEL activities
• Lead implementation of the MEL framework, including impact calculations and the learning agenda; lead learning efforts
• Manage research staff; oversee research and research comms portfolio
• Perform other duties and/or tasks as assigned

Leadership, strategy & perspective across CCA and stakeholders:

• Supervise other staff, including providing technical oversight, strategic and organizational advice, and supporting professional development
• Regularly represent CCA in various international fora, as well as virtually, covering technical and broader CCA areas
• Develop and maintain close working relationships with key researchers in the energy space
• Support the CSLO in providing a leading role in collaboration efforts as they relate to scientific and technical organizations and key partners, including efforts to increase key public health environmental health, air pollution, and environment/climate partners’ investment and engagement in the sector
• Support the CSLO in coordinating regular dissemination of research results and sector progress via multiple channels and media, including development and update of content for reports, webinars, presentations, blogs, and websites
• Perform other duties and/or tasks as assigned by the CSLO

Other:

• Maintain working knowledge of UNF and CCA agreement process (for both contracts and grants), and when to utilize the proper templates accordingly. (As applicable to the role)
• Draft and review agreements and maintain an understanding of all agreement terms and applicable flow-downs, consulting with UNF’s finance/contracts team as needed. (As applicable to the role)
• Attend training sessions provided by UNF’s contracts team to maintain and keep up to date with UNF’s current policies and procedures. (As applicable to the role)
• Support the timely coordination of the activities being undertaken by the CCA team and monitor adherence to all grant timelines and budgets (in coordination with the Director of Finance).
• Perform other duties as assigned

Selection Criteria

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in a field related to the sector preferred
• 10+ years of experience in fields related to the focus of the role
• Demonstrated background in research required
• Demonstrated experience in complex project development, management, and execution
• Excellent strategic thinker able to link external realities and trends with horizon scanning and conceptualize, analyze, and articulate bold and imaginative visions for the Science, Evidence, and Learning portfolio
• Comprehensive knowledge of program planning including developing and overseeing budgets
• Highly ethical with integrity and resilience; leads by example
• Openness, humility, and a collaborative style
• Strategic thinker with a curious, innovative mindset and proactive personality
• Clear commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with a demonstrated ability to work inclusively, promote greater voice, and enhance diversity and equity within CCA and with stakeholders
• Ability to actively listen, inspire, motivate, and empower a high performing diverse team in multiple countries
• Collaborative approach, modelling this behavior by being part of a cohesive team and using it to bring the best out of people
• Effective relationship builder: ability to build trust and forge consensus within and outside the organization
• Clear, transparent, and timely decision maker
• Ability to leverage current, and develop new, networks to build relationships and amplify access and impact
• Effective and active in stakeholder engagement and external representation
• Ability to translate and communicate complex topics in a variety of forums, tailoring communications to effectively fit and influence the targeted audience. Communicates to learn, build trust, and strengthen collaboration
• Ability to influence on a global and virtual stage, demonstrating courage, an approachable style, and inspiring confidence
• Ability to bridge cultural boundaries and norms to overcome barriers and improve outcomes
• Ability to work collaboratively with key leaders, partners, contractors, and stakeholders
• Ability to think creatively and forecast change
• Flexible and adaptable with willingness to support other parts of the organization as needed
• Demonstrated experience in complex project development, management, and execution. Ability to drive multiple aspects of initiatives and projects from inception to implementation within a limited time frame
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Benefits & Compensation

For full-time, 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

The United Nations Foundation is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative-action employer. The United Nations Foundation provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.