Director of Research (Volunteer)

Director of Research (Volunteer)

PromiseMeasure | Research, Data & Impact

Organization: Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Location: Remote with NYC-based collaboration as needed

Type: Volunteer (Leadership Role)

Reports To: Chief of Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL)

Works Closely With: Product Lead (PromiseInsight), Data Team, Program Leadership, Policy & Advocacy Team

About Mentor A Promise

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City–based nonprofit dedicated to supporting children and youth experiencing housing instability through mentorship, literacy, and social-emotional learning (SEL). Our work centers dignity, equity, and accountability—ensuring that every program is both compassionate and evidence-informed.

About PromiseMeasure | Research & Impact

PromiseMeasure is MAP’s division responsible for monitoring, evaluation, learning, and research. The division ensures that MAP understands what works, why it works, and how programs can improve over time—without compromising dignity, privacy, or trust.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Director of Research to lead MAP’s research strategy, design, and implementation across programs and initiatives. This role ensures that research efforts are rigorous, ethical, and aligned with MAP’s mission, while generating insights that inform program improvement, policy engagement, and long-term impact.

The Director of Research will oversee research frameworks, guide data-informed inquiry, and support the integration of research into organizational decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead development of MAP’s research strategy and priorities
• Design research frameworks aligned with program goals and impact measurement
• Guide qualitative and quantitative research initiatives across MAP programs
• Collaborate with Data & Product teams to align research with the PromiseInsight platform
• Ensure ethical, trauma-informed, and consent-based research practices
• Support development of reports, briefs, and research publications
• Translate research findings into actionable insights for program and leadership teams
• Collaborate with Policy & Advocacy teams to inform systems-level work
• Maintain timely, professional responsiveness via email and chat in Google Workspace

Qualifications

Required

• Background in research, social science, evaluation, or related field
• Experience designing and implementing research studies or program evaluations
• Strong analytical, writing, and communication skills
• Ability to translate research into practical insights
• Alignment with MAP’s mission and dignity-centered values

Preferred

• Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in a relevant field
• Experience in nonprofit, education, or youth-serving research
• Familiarity with mixed-methods research approaches
• Experience with data ethics, privacy, and research compliance

Commitment

• Volunteer leadership role
• Approximately 5–10 hours per week
• Minimum 6-month commitment preferred
• Fully remote with optional NYC-based collaboration

What You’ll Gain

• Leadership experience shaping research strategy in a mission-driven organization
• Opportunity to influence program design and long-term impact
• Collaboration with data, product, and policy teams
• Professional references and letters of recommendation
• Meaningful role advancing evidence-based practice and systems change

How to Apply

Interested candidates must apply directly through Idealist and submit:

• Resume (required)
• Cover letter (required) describing relevant research experience and interest in MAP’s mission

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our organization. At this time, volunteer opportunities are limited to individuals based in the United States due to legal, safeguarding, data-privacy, and programmatic requirements. We appreciate your interest in our mission and your understanding of these constraints.