Director of Impact

About ACLED

At ACLED, our mission is to provide accurate and accessible data and analysis to better inform decisions that reduce violent conflict. We strive to create a world where accurate, detailed, and timely information can transform the landscape of conflict resolution and prevention by giving stakeholders the necessary insights to make informed, strategic decisions.

Role Overview

ACLED is seeking a dynamic and strategic Director of Impact (DOI) to lead the organization’s efforts in external affairs, strategic partnerships, and program evaluation. Reporting to the Executive Team, the DOI will shape ACLED’s global profile, build transformative partnerships, and ensure that programs are innovative, impactful, and aligned with organizational goals. This role offers a unique opportunity to influence global narratives and drive meaningful change in conflict reduction through evidence.

Key Responsibilities

External Affairs

• Provide leadership for the External Affairs (EA) department, overseeing communications, branding, publishing, social media, media relations, and events.

• Shape and execute public relations strategies to enhance ACLED’s global profile and public image.

• Supervise the Head of External Affairs, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team.

Strategic Partnerships

• Develop and implement strategies for cultivating and managing ACLED’s high-impact partnerships to support ACLED’s mission and growth.

• Expand the organization’s high-impact partnership pipeline by identifying and nurturing key relationships.

• Collaborate with partners to amplify ACLED’s messaging and position the organization as a global leader in conflict data and analysis.

Program Design, Monitoring, and Evaluation

• Create and oversee frameworks for monitoring and evaluating program impact, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and partner needs.

• Drive innovation in program design, integrating feedback from stakeholders and emerging trends.

• Generate actionable insights from evaluation findings to inform strategic decisions and foster continuous improvement.

Leadership and Strategy

• Provide cross-functional leadership to ensure collaboration across departments and alignment with organizational objectives.

• Contribute to ACLED’s strategic planning and growth as a key member of the leadership team.

• Represent ACLED externally, showcasing the organization’s mission and impact at key events and engagements.

• Advise the President & CEO on strategic and operational matters related to supervised departments.

Qualifications

Required:

• 10+ years of experience in public relations, strategic messaging, external affairs, communications, or partnerships management.
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing strategies that elevate organizational visibility and engagement.
• Experience collaborating with Boards, senior leadership, and diverse stakeholders.
• Ability and confidence to present clearly and concisely to external audiences (or something similar to add back in as this role will have a lot of engagement with external stakeholders and will be asked to represent ACLED at conferences)
• Exceptional leadership skills with a proven ability to inspire and hold teams accountable for results.
• Expertise in project management, including planning, execution, and evaluation.
• Master’s degree or more in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field.
• Fluency in English and ability to work remotely with minimal supervision.
• Availability for travel up to 10%.
• Experience managing budgets effectively
• Background in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, human rights, or global affairs.

Why Join ACLED?

As Director of Impact, you will be at the forefront of advancing ACLED’s mission to reduce violent conflict through actionable data and insights. This position offers an unparalleled opportunity to shape global strategies, foster meaningful partnerships, and lead innovative programs that make a real difference in the world.