How to apply for Global Health and Development Researcher and Grantmaker

About Founders Pledge

Founders Pledge is a unique nonprofit that mobilizes startup founders to pledge a portion of their exits to effective charities, and its research team is renowned for rigorous, transparent cost-effectiveness analysis that guides millions in annual giving. Working here means directly influencing where high-net-worth donors direct their philanthropy, with a focus on evidence-based interventions that save and improve lives in low-income countries.

About the role

As a Global Health and Development Researcher and Grantmaker, you will investigate and evaluate funding opportunities in global health and development, conduct in-depth cost-effectiveness analyses, and recommend multimillion-dollar grants on a monthly basis. You'll write research reports, present to donors, and engage stakeholders to identify novel, high-impact interventions—directly shaping philanthropic strategies that maximize lives saved per dollar.

A typical day

A typical day might involve deep-diving into a new intervention's cost-effectiveness data, drafting a section of a research report, and meeting with a donor to present findings and answer questions. You'll also collaborate with colleagues to refine evaluation methods and stay updated on emerging evidence in global health and development.

Who Founders Pledge is looking for

• Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in development economics, public health, or a related field, with a strong track record of quantitative research and cost-effectiveness analysis.
• Experience conducting rigorous literature reviews and synthesizing evidence to make actionable recommendations, ideally in a global health or development context.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex analyses into clear, persuasive reports and presentations for high-net-worth donors.
• Self-directed and comfortable with ambiguity, able to independently drive research projects and adapt to evolving funding landscapes.

Tips for this application

• Demonstrate your quantitative rigor by including a writing sample or research report that showcases your ability to conduct cost-effectiveness analysis or evaluate global health interventions.
• Familiarize yourself with Founders Pledge's research methodology and public reports (e.g., their cause area reports on global health and development) and reference specific findings in your application to show alignment.
• Highlight any experience making funding recommendations or working with donors, even if unpaid or academic, to prove you can handle the grantmaking responsibility.
• Tailor your cover letter to emphasize your ability to work independently and manage monthly grant deadlines in a remote, dynamic environment.
• Show intellectual curiosity by mentioning novel interventions or recent studies in global health/development that you find promising, and explain how you'd evaluate them.

What to cover in your cover letter

["Your expertise in cost-effectiveness analysis and how you've applied it to real-world global health or development funding decisions.", "Your ability to communicate complex research to non-expert donors, with examples of reports or presentations you've delivered.", "Your alignment with Founders Pledge's mission and your familiarity with their research portfolio and effective altruism principles.", 'Your capacity to work autonomously, manage multiple projects, and thrive in a remote, fast-paced nonprofit setting.']

Research before applying

• Read Founders Pledge's published research reports, especially those on global health and development cause areas, to understand their evaluation framework and grantmaking philosophy.
• Learn about the effective altruism movement and key organizations like GiveWell and Open Philanthropy, as Founders Pledge often collaborates or aligns with their recommendations.
• Explore the backgrounds of the research team on LinkedIn to understand their expertise and the types of projects they lead.
• Review recent Founders Pledge grant announcements or blog posts to see the scale and focus of their funding recommendations.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a new malaria prevention intervention versus an existing one? Walk us through your methodology.
• Describe a time you conducted a literature review and identified a high-impact funding opportunity. What was the outcome?
• How do you prioritize among multiple promising grant recommendations when resources are limited?
• What are the biggest challenges in conducting cost-effectiveness analysis for global health interventions, and how would you address them?
• How would you communicate a nuanced, uncertain finding to a donor who expects clear-cut recommendations?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting a generic application that doesn't demonstrate specific knowledge of Founders Pledge's research approach or the global health funding landscape.
• Failing to provide concrete examples of quantitative analysis or cost-effectiveness work, which is the core of this role.
• Underestimating the importance of written communication—avoid overly technical jargon without explaining its relevance to donors, or being too vague about your analytical process.