Director of Global Initiatives

Position description

The Population Institute (PI) is a Washington-based nonprofit research and advocacy organization. We work to improve the health and well-being of people and the planet by supporting policies and programs that incorporate demographic and health analyses as a means of addressing political, economic, and social development globally. An important aspect of this work is an emphasis on issues of gender equality, family planning, and the promotion of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). We educate policymakers, the media, and the general public about global, regional, and national demographic issues and concerns which underscore the essential importance of achieving gender equality and promoting SRHR; the personal, social, and economic benefits that arise from expanding access to family planning services and information; and the impacts of population dynamics on the environment, natural resources, biodiversity, hunger, and poverty. PI is committed to values of sexual and reproductive health and rights; empowerment of women and girls; sustainability; social, racial, and reproductive justice; and evidence-based analysis.

PI is made up of a small team of professional staff with skills in analysis, communications, and advocacy, as well as a roster of senior fellows with expertise in demography, foreign policy, and reproductive rights. We work to identify opportunities to influence policies and programs by communicating evidence-based analysis and creating platforms to amplify voices of practitioners, advocates, and scholars.

Position Summary

PI is currently seeking a Director of Global Initiatives to develop and support organizational partnerships and analytical efforts that:

• Highlight the multidisciplinary impact of demography in foreign policy and development assistance programming.
• Demonstrate the multiple benefits of advancing gender equity and SRHR globally.
• Elevate innovative and impactful multisectoral program approaches and policies.

These efforts aim to reach US-based policymakers and other foreign policy/international development stakeholders with evidence that highlights the critical yet often underappreciated value of population dynamics, gender equity, and SRHR in the context of sustainable development objectives.

Examples of current initiatives include PI’s Sahel Initiative, which leverages partnerships and analysis to increase policymakers’ attention to issues of gender inequality (specifically low rates of girls’ education, high rates of child marriage, and limited access to family planning), and the connections these conditions have with security and development objectives in the Sahel; a climate change initiative that supports strengthened adaptation planning and policies through the integration of gender equity and SRHR; and efforts to combat population decline alarmism by promoting greater understanding of demographic trends and their implications.

The Director of Global Initiatives will report to PI’s President and CEO. Specific topics of focus will be shaped, in part, by the skills and experience of the individual selected. Specific responsibilities include:

Global Initiatives (35%):

• Develop and implement advocacy and communications strategies targeting the US government and other foreign policy/international development stakeholders.
• Research and write publications to support special initiatives.
• Develop and strengthen relationships within pertinent NGO coalitions.

Partnerships (35%):

• Develop and oversee existing partnerships, managing contracts and key contacts.
• Cultivate new relationships with mission-aligned organizations, building trust and deepening collaboration.
• Ensure that organizational and programmatic goals are reflected and executed in the partnership work.

Strategy Development and Implementation (15%)

• Contribute to shaping research and advocacy objectives in line with PI’s strategic direction.
• Work with PI leadership team in refining PI’s Theory of Change and overall organizational strategy and plans.
• Lead on the development of Global Initiative and partnership strategy and objectives.
• Design Global Initiatives annual workplan and budget and document learning and results from the work; ensure that activities and budgets are implemented in an efficient, effective manner that meets objectives and donor deliverables.

Organizational Operations and Management (15%)

• Supervise and mentor one or more PI staff and interns by setting clear goals, providing regular feedback, and supporting professional growth.
• Assist in recruitment/training of interns and fellows and participate in the recruitment and oversight of senior fellows.
• Participate in organization-wide planning and internal committees and task forces (e.g., messaging and branding, hiring, JEDI, etc.)

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of ten years’ experience in research, policy analysis, advocacy, and/or program implementation. Experience building strategic partnerships and working with a variety of stakeholders a plus.
• Strong analytical skills, with demonstrated proficiency in analysis of population trends and reproductive health/gender equity.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to initiate and sustain professional partnerships.
• Experienced people manager with a coaching and mentoring approach.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with US government (administration and/or Congress).
• Ability to travel internationally (2-4 international trips annually for conferences and partners visits).
• Lived experience in the communities central to our work is highly valued.
• Foreign language proficiency.

Application instructions

The Population Institute is deeply committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. Accordingly, the organization’s policy is to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. Applications are warmly encouraged.

Please email with the following materials:

• • Cover letter explaining your interest and how your experience relates to the position’s key responsibilities
  • CV
  • Two brief (1-5 page) writing samples

Please submit application materials no later than May 1, 2026.

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