Research & innovationExpression of interestHIF-EVD-DRD
Director of Research & Program Development
Lead the evidence, ethics and learning systems that turn promising ideas into responsible program decisions.
Location
Australia
Arrangement
Remote
Commitment
5–7 hours per week
Duration
Ongoing, 12-month preference
Level
Senior research leadership
Contribution track
Create evidence
01
Role mandate
Lead the evidence, ethics and learning systems that turn promising ideas into responsible program decisions.
Why this role exists now
HIF’s new-project pipeline needs disciplined evidence synthesis, proportionate evaluation and explicit uncertainty before pilots or public claims.
02
Outcomes you would own
01
A research agenda linked directly to portfolio decisions.
02
Reusable protocols for evidence review, evaluation and publication.
03
Traceable evidence behind public program claims.
04
A supervised pathway for student and early-career researchers.
Core responsibilities
Set research priorities and maintain an organisation-wide evidence register.
Design proportionate needs assessments, theories of change and evaluations.
Coordinate ethics, consent, data governance and publication review.
Coach research volunteers and pair them with program decision-makers.
Challenge weak assumptions and recommend test, redesign, pause or stop decisions.
03
Your first 90 days
Days 1–30
Listen, learn and locate the work
Complete HIF induction, role boundaries and required checks.
Review the Research & innovation brief, evidence, partners and unresolved decisions.
Agree a 90-day workplan, communication rhythm and escalation map.
Days 31–60
Build the first useful thing
Complete the first evidence synthesis, method or analysis.
Invite review early from the people who will use or be affected by the work.
Record changes, risks and decisions instead of hiding uncertainty.
Days 61–90
Deliver, learn and hand over
Complete the agreed first milestone or document why it should change.
Review progress against success measures with your supervisor.
Publish a next-quarter plan and keep files ready for another volunteer.
04
What you need
Essential criteria
Advanced research, public-health, epidemiology or evaluation experience.
Demonstrated critical appraisal and research-governance judgement.
Ability to translate evidence into practical, bounded recommendations.
Desirable, not required
Higher degree by research or equivalent applied experience.
Experience with human research ethics and cross-country studies.
05
How good work will be judged
Success measures
Research effort answers a real decision rather than producing unused reports.
Claims remain accurate, current and appropriately qualified.
Data collection is proportionate, ethical and locally useful.
Decision rights & escalation
Set day-to-day priorities within the approved role brief and agreed hours.
Recommend changes to scope, timing or method and document the rationale.
Pause your own activity and escalate when safety, consent, quality or capacity is unclear.
Escalate budget commitments, external promises, partner agreements and material changes to Chief Executive Officer / Director of Programs & Impact.
Clinical, safeguarding, privacy and public-claim decisions remain with the named qualified approver.
Role boundaries
This is an unpaid volunteer role. It does not create an employment relationship or expectation of future paid work.
Do not represent HIF publicly, sign agreements or commit money unless authority is explicitly documented.
Use only approved systems for personal, partner or program information.
The agreed weekly commitment is a ceiling to manage, not a minimum to exceed silently.
This role does not provide clinical advice, diagnosis, treatment or unsupervised patient contact.
No travel is assumed. Any future travel would require a separate brief, risk review and written approval.
06
Support, learning and wellbeing
Access to program leaders and approved partner questions.
Peer review and external academic advice where available.
Secure research records and clear publication approval.
Scope and safety
Volunteers must not work outside their competence. Clinical, safeguarding and community-facing work requires role-specific supervision and escalation pathways.
Checks before you begin
Identity and right-to-volunteer confirmation.
One or two role-relevant references for leadership or higher-trust appointments.
Confidentiality, conflict-of-interest, privacy and code-of-conduct declarations.
07
How selection works
Evidence to include
A short statement explaining why this role and HIF’s health-equity mission fit your experience.
One specific example showing how you handled work relevant to research.
Your realistic availability against the published commitment of 5–7 hours per week.
Any required qualifications, registrations, portfolio links or work samples.
Conflicts, access needs or support adjustments you want the selection panel to consider.
Selection stages
Eligibility and completeness review
Assessment against the published essential criteria
Structured interview or practical conversation, if required
Relevant reference, credential and safeguarding checks
Outcome, induction and role-specific onboarding
Final selection decisions are made by people. AI is not used to automatically reject applicants.