We are looking for a contract Knowledge & Impact Specialist to support our mission to help break the cycle of poverty. Reporting to the Program Director, Health Finance, you will design and lead applied research and evaluation work across our partner network in Asia (India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Nepal) and Africa (Uganda, Malawi, Ghana) and help position Health Finance as a credible, evidence-led technical partner to institutional donors and academic collaborators.

The Highlights

- 12-month fixed-term contract, based in India, Bangladesh or Nepal.
- The first role of its kind on a small, growing and entrepreneurial global health programs team
- Support a team of 10+ that works with 10-15 financial inclusion partners across Asia and Africa

The Organisation

Opportunity International Australia is a mission-driven not-for-profit organisation dedicated to empowering families, particularly women, to break the cycle of poverty through sustainable economic inclusion.

Health Finance is our newest global program pillar and works with microfinance institution (MFI) partners across multiple countries to expand access to essential health services and health financing for underserved communities. As the program scales, we are investing in the research and evidence base that will underpin our next phase of growth and funding.

The Role

The Knowledge & Impact Specialist is a newly created role, established as part of Health Finance’s recent restructure, for a research-minded professional who wants to build the evidence base behind how combining health service delivery with financial inclusion improves outcomes for families.

Reporting to Program Director, Health Finance, you will design and lead applied research and evaluation work across our partner network in Asia (India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Nepal) and Africa (Uganda, Malawi, Ghana) and help position Health Finance as a credible, evidence-led technical partner to institutional donors and academic collaborators.

This is a research-oriented role rather than a communications-led thought leadership function: you’ll be the one designing studies, embedding rigorous methods into our MEAL framework and MIS and turning field data and case studies into published evidence and donor-ready material.

You will work closely with Global Head, Chance Health Finance on the research agenda and positioning, M&E; Specialist to embed research questions into our MEAL framework, Strategic Partnerships Director to translate findings into institutional proposals, and our Digital Innovation Specialist on data and dashboard inputs, alongside external academic and research institution partners.

Core Role Responsibilities

- Design and lead applied research studies (e.g. cost analysis,



cost-effective/benefit analysis, health financing outcomes, impact evaluations, longitudinal research) on the health-finance integration models in partnership with implementing and financial inclusion partners.
- Work with the M&E; Specialist to embed research questions and rigorous methods into the MEAL framework and MIS tools.
- Consolidate MEAL and project evaluation data and case studies from Health Leaders, Health Entrepreneurs and Health Finance workstreams into a coherent, accessible evidence base reports.
- Leverage your existing relationships with universities, research institutes and think tanks for co-authored studies, peer review and dissemination using our data and reports.
- Produce research papers, evidence briefs and technical publications.
- Translate research findings into donor-ready material for institutional and academic-facing funding proposals, supporting positioning against DFAT, GAC, FCDO and US DOS research and evidence expectations.
- Prepare proposals for scientific research and implementation research funding calls, in collaboration with the Strategic Partnerships Director.
- Travel as needed for research fieldwork, partner data collection and academic/research partner engagement.
- Uphold Opportunity’s core values and promote a culture of gender equity, safeguarding and inclusion internally and with all partners.

Desired Skills and Qualifications

- A postgraduate qualification in public health, international development, social science or a related research field, or equivalent demonstrated research experience.
- Demonstrated experience designing and leading applied research or impact evaluations, ideally in health, financial inclusion or international development settings.
- Strong quantitative and qualitative research skills, including experience with cost-effectiveness analysis or impact evaluation methodologies.
- Experience translating research and MEAL data into accessible evidence products — papers, briefs, case studies — for donor and academic audiences.
- Established or emerging relationships with universities, research institutes or think tanks, and comfort working toward co-authored publications.
- Understanding of institutional donor expectations for evidence and research (e.g. DFAT, GAC, FCDO, US donors) and experience contributing to funding proposals.
- Strong written communication skills,



with the ability to make technical findings accessible to varied audiences.
- Comfort working in a small, growing and entrepreneurial team environment located remotely, based in India, Bangladesh or Nepal, with willingness to travel for fieldwork and partner engagement.
- A strong alignment with the mission and values of Opportunity International Australia.

How to apply

This is a 12-month fixed-term contract (renewal expected, subject to funding), based in one of our intervention countries - India, Bangladesh or Nepal. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

As a child-safe organisation, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a National Police Check and adhere to Opportunity’s Child Protection Policy, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment Policy and Safeguarding Code of Conduct. We encourage people with disabilities and people from other diverse backgrounds to apply.

To apply, please use click through to submit your resume, cover letter and a link to an introductory video in the one document.

- Your resume outlining your experience and qualifications;
- Your cover letter; and
- A link to an introductory video. Along with your cover letter, please include a short 2 minute video to introduce yourself. We’d love to hear a little who you are, your strengths, what motivates you to apply for this particular contract role now, what makes you a great fit, and what attracts you to working with Opportunity International Australia. A few tips for your video:
- Share your video via a link included in your cover letter (link to Google Drive, Vimeo, OneDrive, etc.)
- A recording from your phone or laptop webcam is totally fine — you can also record using Teams or Zoom
- No fancy production needed — just make sure we can see and hear you clearly
- Try to record in a quiet space.
- Accessibility matters to us:
This role will require you to have access to a internet connection and video call capabilities on your computer / table or phone. It will also require that you possess the ability to share your video and screen as part of training workshops. However if recording a video isn’t possible for you at the moment — due to internet limitations, or technical issues — you’re welcome to submit a written response (up to 300 words) instead. Just let us know in your submission why you have chosen this option. Please note that we won’t be able to progress applications without a video or an alternative written response.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and will not be accepted after 14 August 2026. Please address your application to the People and Culture Team.

Apply now

📌 Knowledge & Impact Specialist (India)
🏢 Opportunity International Australia
📍 India