Chief Research Officer (Volunteer)

Chief Research Officer (Volunteer)

PromiseResearch | Research, Policy Insights & Knowledge Strategy

Organization: Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Division: PromiseResearch

Location: Remote with NYC-based collaboration as needed

Commitment: Approximately 8–12 hours per week

Type: Volunteer Executive Leadership Role

Minimum Commitment: 12-month commitment required

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer

About Mentor A Promise

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City–based nonprofit organization serving children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability through mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning, educational enrichment, workforce development, creative opportunity, advocacy, housing innovation, and community-centered support.

At MAP, we believe meaningful solutions begin with meaningful understanding.

To create lasting change, organizations must move beyond responding to challenges and actively seek to understand the systems, conditions, policies, and experiences that shape the lives of children and families.

About PromiseResearch

PromiseResearch is MAP's research, policy insights, thought leadership, and knowledge strategy division.

The division serves as the organization's research center and internal think tank, helping MAP better understand housing instability and its impact on children, youth, and families.

Through research, policy analysis, strategic inquiry, and knowledge generation, PromiseResearch informs organizational strategy, advocacy efforts, program development, public education, and systems-change initiatives.

Role Overview

The Chief Research Officer (CRO) serves as the executive leader responsible for MAP's research agenda, knowledge strategy, policy research, and thought leadership initiatives.

This role leads the organization's efforts to understand the root causes, trends, systems, and conditions affecting children and families experiencing housing instability while identifying evidence-based solutions that can improve outcomes.

Working closely with executive leadership, PromiseMeasure, PromisePublic, PromisePrograms, PromiseHousing, and external partners, the CRO helps position MAP as a trusted source of knowledge, insight, and innovation within the fields of housing instability, youth development, education, and family well-being.

The Chief Research Officer ensures that research informs action and that organizational decisions are grounded in evidence, learning, and community understanding.

Key Responsibilities

Research Strategy & Vision

• Develop and lead MAP's long-term research agenda
• Establish organizational research priorities and focus areas
• Identify critical issues affecting children and families experiencing housing instability
• Guide research investments and strategic initiatives
• Build a culture of inquiry, learning, and evidence-informed decision-making

Research Leadership

• Oversee research projects, studies, and investigations across the organization
• Ensure methodological rigor and research quality
• Guide qualitative and quantitative research initiatives
• Support the development of original research and publications
• Promote ethical and community-centered research practices

Policy Research & Systems Analysis

• Lead research on policies, systems, and structural issues affecting children and families
• Analyze local, state, and federal policy developments
• Identify emerging issues and opportunities for systems change
• Support evidence-informed advocacy efforts
• Produce insights that strengthen public policy engagement

Knowledge Strategy & Thought Leadership

• Establish MAP as a trusted voice on housing instability and youth outcomes
• Lead development of white papers, reports, research briefs, and publications
• Support public education and awareness efforts
• Represent MAP in research, academic, and policy discussions
• Promote knowledge sharing across sectors and communities

Organizational Learning & Innovation

• Identify best practices, emerging trends, and innovative intervention models
• Support strategic planning and organizational development
• Generate insights that strengthen programs and services
• Inform leadership decision-making with research findings
• Promote continuous learning and improvement

Research Partnerships

• Build partnerships with universities, researchers, think tanks, foundations, and policy organizations
• Develop collaborative research opportunities
• Support student, faculty, and institutional partnerships
• Expand MAP's research network and influence
• Strengthen opportunities for grants and research funding

Leadership Responsibilities

The Chief Research Officer provides executive oversight for:

Research & Insights

Responsible for:

• Research strategy
• Research projects
• Data interpretation
• Knowledge generation

Housing & Family Research

Responsible for:

• Housing instability research
• Family well-being studies
• Economic mobility research
• Community conditions analysis

Youth Development Research

Responsible for:

• Child development research
• Educational outcomes research
• Social-emotional learning studies
• Youth success indicators

Policy Research & Systems Change

Responsible for:

• Public policy analysis
• Legislative research
• Systems mapping
• Evidence-informed advocacy

Research Partnerships & Publications

Responsible for:

• University partnerships
• Research collaborations
• Publications
• Thought leadership initiatives

Potential Reporting Structure

• Senior Director of Research & Insights
• Senior Director of Housing & Family Research
• Senior Director of Youth Development Research
• Senior Director of Policy Research & Systems Change
• Director of Research Partnerships & Knowledge Exchange
• Research Managers
• Research Analysts
• Research Associates
• Volunteer Researchers
• Research Interns

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in research, public policy, academia, nonprofit leadership, social sciences, education, housing, public health, or related fields
• Strong understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies
• Experience leading research initiatives or knowledge-based organizations
• Exceptional analytical, strategic, and communication abilities
• Experience producing research publications and thought leadership content
• Passion for improving outcomes for children and families

Why This Role Matters

Organizations often focus on delivering services.

The most impactful organizations also help society understand the problems those services seek to address.

The Chief Research Officer helps Mentor A Promise become not only a provider of support but also a generator of knowledge, insight, and solutions.

This role helps ensure that MAP contributes to the broader understanding of housing instability while advancing evidence-based approaches that improve the lives of children and families.

Success Measures

• Growth and quality of MAP's research portfolio
• Production of research reports, briefs, and publications
• Development of strategic research partnerships
• Contribution to organizational strategy and innovation
• Influence on public understanding and policy discussions
• Advancement of evidence-based practices across MAP
• Positioning of MAP as a trusted research and thought leadership organization

Volunteer Expectations

• Approximately 8–12 hours per week
• Minimum 12-month commitment
• Participate in executive leadership meetings
• Maintain timely and professional communication
• Collaborate across divisions and external partnerships
• Support MAP's mission, safeguarding standards, and organizational values

What You'll Gain

• Executive leadership experience guiding a mission-driven research division
• Opportunity to shape research, policy, and thought leadership efforts
• Collaboration with nonprofit, academic, policy, and community leaders
• Professional references and letters of recommendation
• Meaningful impact improving outcomes for children and families experiencing housing instability

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist and include their resume, CV, publications, research portfolio, and cover letter.

Please highlight experience involving research leadership, policy analysis, academia, social sciences, education, housing, nonprofit strategy, or related disciplines.

Help build the knowledge, research, and insight needed to create a better future for children and families experiencing housing instability.