How to apply for Executive Vice President, Evidence
Evidence Action
About Evidence Action
Evidence Action is a global nonprofit dedicated to scaling evidence-based programs that demonstrably reduce poverty, with a strong focus on cost-effectiveness and rigorous evaluation. Working here means being part of a mission-driven team that values data over dogma, and where your work directly influences decisions that impact millions of lives across Africa and Asia.
About the role
As EVP of Evidence, you will lead the organization's entire evidence function, shaping how programs are designed, scaled, and refined. This is a senior leadership role that bridges technical expertise and strategic decision-making, ensuring that Evidence Action's programs are not only effective but also cost-effective and ethically sound. Your work will directly influence the organization's ability to maximize impact with limited resources.
A typical day
A typical day might involve reviewing evidence from ongoing evaluations with your team leads, then meeting with program directors to discuss how findings should inform scale-up decisions. You might spend part of the day crafting a presentation for the board on cost-effectiveness, and later connect with external researchers to design a new study. The role blends deep technical review with strategic leadership, requiring constant communication across departments and time zones.
Who Evidence Action is looking for
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Tips for this application
- Highlight specific examples of leading evidence generation in global health or development, emphasizing your role in shaping program decisions based on findings.
- Quantify your impact: mention how your work led to cost savings, improved outcomes, or informed scale-up/wind-down decisions in previous roles.
- Demonstrate your ability to communicate evidence to diverse stakeholders by including examples of presenting to boards, donors, or government officials.
- Show your familiarity with Evidence Action's programs (e.g., Deworm the World, Safe Water) and mention how your expertise could enhance their evidence base.
- Tailor your resume to emphasize leadership of cross-functional teams and your experience with MLE, cost-effectiveness, and epidemiology, rather than just listing academic publications.
What to cover in your cover letter
- Emphasize your commitment to evidence-based decision-making and your experience in using data to drive programmatic strategy. - Highlight your leadership in building and mentoring technical teams, particularly in low-resource settings. - Show how your research has influenced real-world policy or program implementation, not just academic impact. - Express enthusiasm for Evidence Action's mission and your specific ideas for strengthening their evidence culture and quality assurance systems.
Draft a cover letterResearch before applying
- Review Evidence Action's recent annual reports and program evaluations to understand their current evidence standards and challenges.
- Learn about their key programs (e.g., Deworm the World, Safe Water, No Lean Season) and any recent impact evaluations or cost-effectiveness analyses published.
- Familiarize yourself with their leadership team and the background of the outgoing EVP of Evidence to understand the role's evolution.
- Check their blog and publications to see how they communicate evidence externally and engage with the academic community.
Likely interview topics
Based on the job description, expect questions about:
- How would you balance the need for rigorous evidence with the urgency to scale programs quickly to reach more beneficiaries?
- Describe a time when you had to present evidence that contradicted a program's effectiveness to leadership. How did you handle it?
- What methods do you use to ensure cost-effectiveness analyses are robust and comparable across different programs?
- How would you foster a culture of transparency and learning across multiple country teams with varying capacities?
- Given Evidence Action's portfolio, what evidence gaps would you prioritize addressing in the first 6 months?
Common mistakes to avoid
- Avoid focusing only on academic achievements without showing practical experience in program implementation and decision-making.
- Do not underestimate the importance of cost-effectiveness analysis; be ready to discuss your approach in detail.
- Avoid being overly cautious about sharing negative results; Evidence Action values transparency and learning, so highlight your willingness to expose uncomfortable truths.
Deadline
No deadline is listed. Roles without a deadline usually close once the employer has enough candidates, so apply soon if you are interested.