Chief Executive Officer - Chief Academic Officer

About the role

The CEO‑CAO will lead BUILD Foundation as a globally recognised centre for behavioural economics and policy research. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the role combines academic leadership with operational management to drive high‑impact research and evidence‑based policymaking in financial inclusion and related fields.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and implement BUILD’s three‑year strategic plan, performance framework and research agenda.
• Oversee multidisciplinary research programmes, ensure publication and dissemination of findings, and translate results into policy‑oriented interventions.
• Mobilise donor funding, grants, service contracts and strategic partnerships to secure long‑term financial sustainability.
• Represent BUILD nationally and internationally, building partnerships with governments, academia, NGOs and the private sector.

Required profile

• PhD in behavioural economics, economics, public policy, psychology or a related discipline.
• Minimum ten years of senior leadership experience, including managing international research or policy initiatives.
• Proven track record in fundraising, donor engagement and partnership development.
• Ability to travel internationally on a regular basis.

Required skills

• Deep expertise in behavioural economics, applied research methods and experimental design.
• Strong knowledge of evidence‑based policymaking, policy evaluation and behavioural interventions.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and scaling start‑up institutions.
• Excellent communication and representation skills in English.