Director of Research

Center for asia-pacific Resilience and Innovation

The Organization

The Center for Asia-Pacific Resilience and Innovation (CAPRI) was established in Taipei in 2022 to conduct interdisciplinary, comparative research on innovative practices in policy and governance that can strengthen societal resilience in the Asia Pacific. As a nongovernmental, nonpartisan, international organization, CAPRI’s current work focuses on identifying and meeting challenges to resilience at the intersection of health, economic growth, and environmental sustainability, particularly in the high-income societies of the region. CAPRI’s vision is to become a leading international think tank that promotes global discourse and provides Asia-Pacific perspectives on improving governance and addressing these challenges. CAPRI’s mission is to provide informed and insightful policy analysis to governments, academic and business leaders, the news media, civil society organizations, and the informed public in the Asia-Pacific region and worldwide. CAPRI’s initial funding in Taiwan has been provided by some of Taiwan’s leading corporations and philanthropists. During its first year of operation, CAPRI also received funding in the United States at the Miller Center Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization affiliated with the University of Virginia. CAPRI’s founding Board of Directors includes policy analysts as well as corporate and civic leaders from Europe, Taiwan, and the United States, and it is chaired by CAPRI’s founder Professor Syaru Shirley Lin, a former partner at Goldman Sachs and a faculty member at the University of Virginia, Chinese University of Hong Kong, and National Chengchi University in Taiwan. CAPRI’s work will be guided by an International Advisory Council chaired by Malcolm Turnbull, former Prime Minister of Australia.

Research Partners

CAPRI serves as the Asia-Pacific hub for several international organizations involved in policy research and advocacy on the challenges to economic, health, and environmental resilience posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and on policies that can increase resilience, improve governance, and prepare societies for future challenges. These research partners include the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC; the Miller Center of Public Affairs in Charlottesville, Virginia; the Reform for Resilience Commission, headquartered at the Chan School of Public Health at Harvard University; and the Partnership for Health System Sustainability and Resilience (PHSSR), initiated by the World Economic Forum and the London School of Economics and Political Science.

The Opportunity

CAPRI is seeking a Director of Research able to drive policy impact and promote change in the Asia Pacific through high-quality, interdisciplinary policy research. As the creative force behind CAPRI’s research agenda, the Director of Research leads an international team of research staff to develop and implement the Center’s projects and partnerships. The Director of Research is instrumental in developing the messages and ideas the Center promotes and offering policy solutions to the most pressing challenges the world faces today. CAPRI’s first Director of Research will establish a visiting fellow program and develop CAPRI’s annual forum in Taipei, along with other seminars, workshops, and events that spark discussion and drive impact on best policy practices in the region.

Responsibilities

Lead CAPRI’s research and programming

Manage a bilingual team of in-house research associates
Author articles, reports, blog posts, and other pieces of writing that present CAPRI’s research
Coordinate with current partners (i.e., the Reform for Resilience Commission, the Partnership for Health System Sustainability and Resilience, the Brookings Institution, and the University of Virginia Miller Center) to develop and execute joint research projects
Establish a visiting fellow program and recruit fellows to undertake CAPRI-branded research in Taipei
Develop regular reports on CAPRI’s research to present to the Board of Directors
Propose a medium- to long-term research agenda for CAPRI’s independent projects, including key deliverables and timelines, with input from the Board of Directors, International Advisory Council, and staff
Identify and cultivate partnerships and joint research opportunities with new partners in the Asia Pacific and beyond
Develop metrics for measuring the impact of CAPRI’s research

Develop CAPRI’s convening activities

Lead the creative development and planning for CAPRI’s independent events with the Executive Director
Collaborate with CAPRI’s research partners to develop and execute joint events
Speak in such events as applicable

Together with the Director of Communications, oversee communications promoting CAPRI’s brand and research

Draft talking points and key messages on CAPRI’s main research findings to use in press, social media, and other communication platforms.
Represent CAPRI at external academic, research, and policy events internationally
Promote CAPRI by discussing its research and policy recommendations in interviews, guest lectures, articles, blog posts, and other publicity opportunities for CAPRI
Develop creative ways for CAPRI to share its findings

Required Qualifications

MA, JD, or PhD in a field relevant to CAPRI’s areas of focus, preferably with experience in inter-disciplinary and applied policy research
At least 5 years of experience in leading teams in policy or academic research on the Asia Pacific
Ability to work successfully within a flat, start-up organizational structure
Outstanding research and writing skills in English
A creative outlook toward research, collaboration, and solutions for public policy
A commitment to governance in the Asia Pacific

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in organizing collaboration in think tanks, academic institutions, or research organizations

Location

The Director of Research will work out of CAPRI’s office in Taipei City, with occasional travel to places where CAPRI has research partners.

Salary

Competitive; determined in light of position-related experience, professional accomplishments, and education.

How to Apply

Please send the following materials to [email protected]:

Your résumé/CV
A brief statement of interest
Three samples of your academic writing or publications in English (Chinese samples are also welcome if applicable)
Contact information for two professional or academic references

Join CAPRI with us.