Program Co-Director, Head of Research, Sovereign Debt Forum

Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce

. Lead research, training, strategy, and program content functions for the Sovereign Debt Forum and #PublicDebtIsPublic .

Posted 10/15/2026full-timeWashington, D.C. • Washington • United StatesLead💰 $66,783 - $126,720 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead research, training, strategy, and program content functions for the Sovereign Debt Forum and #PublicDebtIsPublic
Provide intellectual vision and research direction for SDF and #PDIP
Oversee research methodologies and expansion of the #PDIP Documentation Bank and Legal Framework Hub
Cultivate the global network of academic affiliates, government partners, and civil society stakeholders
Ensure legal and analytical outputs meet rigorous standards and achieve real-world impact
Design and oversee SDF research and writing programs
Develop the research agenda and produce or guide articles, commentaries, and policy briefs
Direct collection, coding, and analysis of public debt documentation
Recruit, train, and supervise #PDIP and SDF research teams
Collaborate with academic and policy partners on joint research and publications
Serve as a principal research and policy liaison with stakeholders, funders, affiliates, and advisory groups
Develop the #PDIP work program with the SDF Academic Co-Directors
Contribute to Law Center research and teaching activities, including the debt accountability practicum
Support SDF programming, including DebtCon
Back up the Head of Operations on administrative and logistical matters
Create and manage the SDF multimedia resource library
Coordinate public outreach and engagement
Lead a team of 2–15 researchers and coordinate affiliated workstreams
Help manage partnerships with international organizations, governments, civil society organizations, funders, and market participants

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree required
JD and/or other graduate training strongly preferred
Demonstrated experience in legal and policy research and writing strongly preferred
Outstanding analytical, research, written, and verbal communication skills
Ability to produce original, publication-quality scholarship
Ability to translate complex legal and financial material for academic, policy, and technical audiences
Strong organizational and project-management skills
Collaborative attitude
Ability to adapt to the challenges of an ambitious start-up
Exceptional judgment and discretion
Strong organizational skills and ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities
Interest and background in international economic law, development, and/or sovereign debt preferred
2–4 years of work experience in analytical, research, and written and verbal communication
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Working English proficiency
Experience corresponding with multiple stakeholders from nongovernment, corporate, and international organizations
Some experience in international or multicultural settings preferred
Knowledge of Georgetown University/higher education policies and procedures a plus

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Disability insurance
Life insurance
Retirement savings
Tuition assistance
Work-life balance benefits
Employee discounts
Voluntary insurance options
Professional development opportunities
Community involvement opportunities
Hybrid work designation: 2 days