Chief Research Officer (Volunteer)

About the role

Mentor A Promise is a New York City–based nonprofit organization serving children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability. The Chief Research Officer (CRO) will lead the organization's research agenda, knowledge strategy, policy research, and thought leadership initiatives.

Responsibilities

• 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
• Lead 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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

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

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience involving research leadership, policy analysis, academia, social sciences, education, housing, nonprofit strategy, or related disciplines

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