About This Role
This leadership role involves establishing and leading the BUILD Foundation as a globally recognized behavioral economics and policy research institution. The CEO-CAO will drive high-impact research, support evidence-based policymaking, and strengthen behavioral research capacities in Armenia and other developing economies, particularly in financial inclusion. The role is pivotal in translating interest in behavioral economics into practical capacity and fostering international cooperation.
Responsibilities
- Develop and implement BUILD’s three-year strategic plan, performance plan, and research agenda
- Position BUILD as a leading international center of applied behavioral science and evidence-based policymaking
- Establish BUILD’s research priorities in line with financial inclusion, financial consumer protection, and related policy challenges
- Ensure alignment with the priorities and strategic objectives of the network and BUILD’s Charter
- Lead the organization through its startup and scaling phases
- Ensure that BUILD becomes financially sustainable, operationally independent, and self-governing after the initial three-year founding period
- Mobilize donor funding, grants, service contracts, and strategic partnerships to support BUILD’s long-term sustainability
- Oversee the Foundation’s research agenda and academic activities
- Supervise multidisciplinary research teams and research programs
- Promote publication and dissemination of research outputs
- Develop policy-oriented behavioral interventions and recommendations
- Establish partnerships with leading academic and research institutions
- Support practical application of behavioral research findings in policymaking processes
- Secure donor funding, grants, and project financing
- Develop revenue-generating activities consistent with the Foundation’s mandate
- Attract service contracts, technical assistance projects, and partnerships
- Establish long-term cooperation with governments, international organizations, universities, foundations, and private institutions
- Oversee the daily management of the Foundation, including managing financial resources and budget execution, recruiting and supervising personnel, and implementing decisions of the Board of Trustees
- Present for Board approval the Foundation’s strategic program(s), types of publications, research methodologies and standards, and procedures for applying research results, submitting these documents within six (6) months of the commencement of the position
- Participate in Board meetings unless otherwise decided by the Board, and prepare strategic, operational, financial, and academic reports for the Board
- Represent BUILD in Armenia and internationally, promote it as a center of excellence in behavioral research and policy innovation, and strengthen Armenia’s visibility in the global behavioral economics ecosystem
- Actively develop partnerships that support both BUILD’s policy impact and long-term sustainability
Requirements
- At least a PhD in Behavioral Economics/Economics/Public Policy/Psychology, or relevant discipline
- At least ten (10) years of relevant leadership experience
- Experience managing international research or policy initiatives
- Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and institutions
- Demonstrated experience in fundraising, donor engagement, and partnership development
- Strong understanding of policymaking and policy implementation processes in financial inclusion or related public policy areas
- Ability to perform international travel regularly
- Strong expertise in behavioral economics and applied behavioral research
- Strong expertise in research methodologies and experimental design
- Strong expertise in evidence-based policymaking
- Strong expertise in policy evaluation and behavioral interventions
- Strong expertise in financial inclusion, financial education, consumer protection, or development policy
- Strategic and institutional leadership capabilities
- Ability to combine academic rigor with practical policy relevance
- Ability to build international partnerships and networks
- Strong communication and representation skills
- Ability to mobilize financial and institutional resources
- Ability to lead a startup institution through growth and international expansion
- Excellent command of English, both written and spoken
Nice to have:
- Knowledge of Armenian
- Knowledge of French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic
Important Details
- Reporting Line: Board of Trustees of the BUILD Foundation
- Appointment Duration: Three-year fixed-term employment
About the Company
BUILD – “Behavioral Unit for Impact, Learning and Design” Foundation is an independent non-profit foundation jointly established by a global financial inclusion organisation and an economic education and research foundation, pursuant to the legislation of the Republic of Armenia. BUILD is established to promote the application of behavioral research and evidence-based policymaking in Armenia and other developing economies, particularly in the field of financial inclusion. The Foundation aims to become a globally recognized center of excellence in behavioral economics and policy research for developing countries.
