How to apply for Executive Vice President, Evidence

About Evidence Action

Evidence Action runs large-scale global health programs based on rigorous evidence, including Nobel-winning research. It has reached over 500 million people across 11 countries with interventions like Deworm the World and Safe Water Now. The organization is remote-friendly and focused on measurable outcomes.

About the role

The Executive Vice President, Evidence leads the organization's evidence strategy, ensuring programs are data-driven and cost-effective. This role shapes how Evidence Action identifies, tests, and scales interventions. It is central to the company's mission of using evidence to reduce poverty.

A typical day

A typical day might involve reviewing program data with the monitoring and evaluation team, meeting with country directors to discuss scaling challenges, and engaging with academic partners on new research. You would also spend time aligning evidence strategies with organizational goals and communicating with donors and stakeholders.

Who Evidence Action is looking for

• Senior leader with deep experience in evidence-based program design and evaluation, ideally in global health or international development.
• Track record of managing large, distributed teams and working with governments to scale interventions.
• Strong quantitative skills and familiarity with randomized controlled trials, cost-effectiveness analysis, and impact measurement.
• Experience operationalizing academic research into field programs, with a focus on neglected global health issues.

Tips for this application

• Highlight your experience with evidence-based scaling, especially in low-resource settings.
• Quantify your impact: mention specific programs, budgets, and outcomes you have led.
• Show familiarity with Evidence Action's flagship programs (Deworm the World, Safe Water Now) and how your work aligns.
• Emphasize experience working with governments and cross-cultural teams across Africa and Asia.
• Address the remote nature: demonstrate ability to lead distributed teams and collaborate effectively online.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your philosophy on using evidence to drive program decisions and scale impact.', 'A concrete example of a program you led that used data to improve outcomes or cost-effectiveness.', 'How you have partnered with governments or academic institutions to implement evidence-based interventions.', 'Why you want to work at Evidence Action specifically, referencing its model and reach.']

Research before applying

• Read Evidence Action's annual reports and program evaluations to understand their evidence standards and impact metrics.
• Learn about the Deworm the World and Safe Water Now programs, including their scale and results.
• Research the Accelerator and how it tests new interventions.
• Understand the role of key partners like governments and academic researchers in their model.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How do you ensure programs remain evidence-based when scaling rapidly?
• Describe a time you used data to course-correct a program. What was the outcome?
• How would you prioritize among multiple evidence-based interventions with limited resources?
• What experience do you have working with governments to adopt and sustain evidence-based programs?
• How do you foster a culture of measurement and learning across a large, remote team?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Focusing only on high-level strategy without concrete examples of implementing evidence-based programs.
• Ignoring the global health context and the specific challenges of working in low-resource settings.
• Underestimating the importance of cost-effectiveness and rigorous measurement in all decisions.