Job Title

Associate Director of Research Operations Hope Rises International, formerly American Leprosy Missions, is a Christ-centered nonprofit that works with Christian partners around the world to bring physical healing and enduring hope to people suffering from neglected tropical diseases like leprosy. Grounded in the gospel, we serve some of the worlds most marginalized communities, advancing healing and hope through compassionate care, evidence-based research, and innovative programming. To learn more about our mission and values, visit www.hoperises.org.Position Summary/MissionHope Rises International is seeking a committed Christian professional to serve as Associate Director of Research Operations. This full-time, remote role leads the operational and strategic execution of our global research initiatives, reporting to the Vice President of Programs and working closely with our Senior Advisor of Research and Innovation at the University of Cambridge.While remote within a U.S.-based organization, preference is given to candidates within 100 km of Cambridge, U.K., to facilitate in-person collaboration. Applicants must be practicing Christians who affirm our statement of faith and are committed to integrating their professional skills with a faith-based approach to global health.The Associate Director of Research Operations will oversee the strategic and operational management of research projects for Hope Rises International, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities, donor requirements, and best practices in NTD research. This role will manage any research associates and consultants while collaborating closely with internal and external stakeholders, including institutional funders, research partners, and regional directors.The role encompasses project, grant and financial management, research strategy development, grant submission, and knowledge dissemination. The Associate Director will establish efficient workflows, monitor key performance indicators and manage compliance to ensure financial accountability and operational excellence.Essential Job FunctionsOperational/Project ManagementProvide project management oversight for research projects, working in collaboration with the Senior Advisor and other consultants to ensure they are delivered on time, within budget, and adhere to donor requirements and project management best practices.Develop and implement efficient operational workflows, project management tools, and risk mitigation strategies for research projects and initiatives.Coordinate cross-functional teams, research partners, and stakeholders to ensure smooth project execution and alignment with project objectives.Manage budgets, contracts, and compliance requirements for research projects, ensuring adherence to ethical and regulatory standards and donor requirements.Track project milestones, troubleshoot challenges, and implement course corrections with stakeholders as needed to achieve research objectives.Support grant and funding proposal development by providing operational insights and ensuring alignment with research priorities.Research StrategyGuide the development of Hope Rises research strategy, gathering input from relevant stakeholders and ensuring regional projects are aligned with overall research objectives and priorities.Conduct research gap assessments in collaboration with internal and external partners to inform Hope Rises research priorities.Manage aspects of ALMs strategic objective related to technology and innovation.Financial Management Work in collaboration with the Senior Program Finance Manager to oversee the overall research budget, ensuring alignment with financial policies and strategic priorities. Develop and track project-specific budgets, ensuring accurate allocation of funds and compliance with donor and organizational guidelines. Prepare financial projections and expenditure forecasts to support informed decision-making and sustainable research operations. Ensure timely submission of wire transfer and payment requests for research activities, maintaining accurate financial records. Review and approve financial documentation, including invoices, contracts, and expense reports, ensuring compliance with financial and audit requirements. Collaborate with the finance team to reconcile research expenditures, address financial discrepancies, and ensure accurate reporting.Reporting and Knowledge ManagementDevelop and oversee processes for tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) related to research projects and advocacy initiatives.Ensure timely and accurate reporting from research partners, consolidating findings for senior leadership, donors, and key stakeholders.Maintain clear documentation of research progress, challenges, and outcomes to inform decision-making and continuous improvement.Coordinate the preparation and submission of periodic reports, ensuring compliance with donor, organizational, and regulatory requirements.Support the development of presentations and summaries of research findings for advocacy, fundraising, and stakeholder engagement.Manage the submission process for manuscripts, technical reports, and policy briefs to peer-reviewed journals, conferences, and other relevant platforms.Ensure research outputs comply with submission guidelines, formatting requirements, and ethical review standards.Track the status of research publications and maintain an organized system for version control, approvals, and submission deadlines.Maintain a repository of published research, reports, and advocacy materials for internal and external use.Support internal knowledge-sharing efforts by organizing research dissemination activities such as webinars, presentations, and stakeholder briefings.Lead the development of policy briefs, position statements, and advocacy materials to communicate key research findings to decision-makers and the public.Accountabilities/Outcomes/DeliverablesResearch Project Execution & ImpactHigh-quality research projects are delivered on time and within budget while ensuring ethical and compliance standards.Project management tools to streamline operations and improve efficiency are developed and implemented.Alignment with global research priorities is ensured in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.Financial & Compliance OversightResearch budgets and financial forecasting and reporting are timely and accurate.Donor guidelines, regulatory standards, and ethical research practices are complied with.Financial documents, including contracts, invoices, and expense reports, are submitted on time.Research Strategy & InnovationGap analyses are conducted to identify research priorities and contribute to the development of organizational research strategies.Knowledge Management & Research DisseminationResearch outputs are widely visible to external audiences through manuscript submissions, conference presentations, and technical reports.Internal knowledge-sharing mechanisms are developed, including webinars, briefings, and research repositories.Research impact is tracked and reported, ensuring insights are used for strategic decision-making.Required Minimum Education, Experience and SkillsEducation: Masters degree or higher in Public Health, Epidemiology, Global Health, Research Administration, or a related field.Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in program management, research operations, or advocacy within public health, preferably in neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) or related global health fields.Project and Financial Management: Proven experience in managing research projects, budgets, financial reporting, and compliance with donor and regulatory requirements.Advocacy and Policy Engagement: Experience working with government agencies, international organizations, or policy groups to advance research-based health initiatives.Research Operations and Partnerships: Demonstrated ability to collaborate with academic institutions, research organizations, and implementing partners to drive research and innovation.Monitoring and Reporting: Experience in developing and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs), managing reporting requirements, and supporting research dissemination.Publication and Knowledge Management: Familiarity with the publication submission process, including manuscript tracking, compliance with journal guidelines, and maintaining research repositories.Leadership and Team Collaboration: Strong leadership, mentorship, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to coordinate cross-functional teams in a remote or global setting.Communication and Representation: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience in preparing reports, advocacy materials, and presentations for diverse audiences.International Experience (Preferred): At least two years of experience working in a developing country or with international research initiatives.Mission Alignment: Commitment to ALMs mission and values, with a demonstrated ability to work in faith-based and cross-cultural environments.Preferred Education, Experience and SkillsAdvanced degree in business administration or a related fieldExperience living and working overseasExperience implementing strategy, finance, project and/or grants management systems across a globally dispersed teamExperience in leprosy, NTDs or community healthFluency in a second language (French is preferred)Must be legally authorized to work in the U.K. No relocation assistance provided.Interested applicants are invited to submit a CV to careers@hoperises.org.