About the Role

The Research Director is a senior leadership position responsible for providing strategic, intellectual, and operational leadership for multidisciplinary research across BIGD. The incumbent will lead the development and implementation of high-quality mixed-method research, ensuring methodological excellence, policy relevance, and organizational impact across the Governance and Politics, Gender and Social Development.

The Research Director will strengthen BIGD’s research portfolio through strategic partnerships, competitive grant acquisition, publications in leading peer-reviewed journals, and capacity development of research staff while representing BIGD in national and international academic and policy forums.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for multidisciplinary research across BIGD.
• Develop and implement the organization’s research agenda aligned with institutional priorities.
• Lead the design, implementation, quality assurance, and dissemination of high-quality mixed-method research.
• Develop competitive research proposals and secure funding from national and international donors.
• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with government, academia, development partners, and research institutions.
• Lead the preparation of policy briefs, technical reports, and publications in high-impact peer-reviewed journals.
• Represent BIGD in national and international conferences, policy dialogues, and professional networks.
• Contribute to institutional strategy, knowledge management, and organizational development.

Qualifications & Experience

• PhD in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Public Policy, Political Science, Sociology, Anthropology, Economics, Environmental Studies, Gender Studies, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible research experience, including leadership of large-scale qualitative or mixed-method research programs.
• Demonstrated success in securing competitive research grants and managing multidisciplinary research teams.
• Strong expertise in qualitative research design, advanced analytical methods, and research publication.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and leadership skills.

Publication Requirements 

• Strong international research portfolio with a minimum of ten (10) peer-reviewed publications, including at least five articles published in Q1-ranked journals.
• Demonstrated record of producing high-quality policy and academic outputs with national and international impact.

Employment Type

Full-time, contractual.

Compensation

Competitive salary and benefits commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Eligibility

BIGD will recruit an individual with the right to work in Bangladesh. BIGD recognises the value that diversity brings to the organisation in terms of experience, skills, talent, and cultural perspectives. The organisation is committed to building an environment and culture where all staff feel valued, are treated fairly and respected. BIGD is committed to providing equality of opportunity for all current and prospective staff members and will not discriminate on grounds of sex (female, male, or other) race, age, gender, sexual orientation, citizenship, medical condition (with certain exceptions based on job role), class, caste, ethnicity, disability, location, pregnancy, maternity or paternity, or religion.

BIGD’s commitment to equal opportunity covers all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, selection, compensation, promotion, professional development, termination, and participation in BIGD-sponsored employee activities.

How to apply

Interested candidates are requested to submit:

• A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• A cover letter describing their suitability and motivation for the position
• Contact details of at least two professional referees

Please send your resume along with a cover letter, clearly explaining your interest in and qualifications for this position. Send your application through the link:  Apply

Applications that do not comply with the instructions will not be considered. 

Last Date of Application: 25 September, 2026