We’re looking for a Lead Researcher

We're looking for a Lead Researcher for a multi-country study on women's access to finance.

Job details

Working hours

TBD

Contract

Temporary

Closing date

June 7, 2026

We are looking for an experienced Lead Researcher or research organisation to design and deliver a multi-country study on women entrepreneurs’ access to finance in the UK, Mexico and Vietnam.

The Cherie Blair Foundation for Women is undertaking a mixed-methods research project to generate robust, comparative evidence on how women entrepreneurs access finance, the barriers they encounter, and the wider market, policy and structural factors shaping their experiences. The study will combine a consistent quantitative survey across all three countries with targeted qualitative research to validate and contextualise findings.

The selected consultant will work closely with the Foundation’s Research & Impact team to design the methodology, develop survey and qualitative instruments, oversee data collection, manage translation and quality assurance, analyse findings, and produce a high-quality comparative research report and two country-specific briefings aimed at external audiences including funders, policymakers, financial-sector actors and entrepreneurship ecosystem organisations.

About you

We are seeking a consultant with significant experience designing and delivering applied research, strong quantitative and qualitative research skills, and a proven ability to produce clear, insightful outputs for non-academic audiences. The consultant should be able to assemble and manage an appropriately qualified team, including country-level or language expertise for the UK, Mexico and Vietnam. Experience in women’s entrepreneurship, gender, access to finance, low- and middle-income country contexts, or multi-country research is essential.

The consultancy is expected to begin in June 2026 and run for approximately 15 months, so the successful candidate will need to be available during this time.

How to apply

To apply, please  download the terms of reference here

and send us the following:

• A proposal outlining your approach to delivering the scope of work, including methodology and team composition
• A detailed financial proposal, including a full cost breakdown and clearly identified line items as outlined above
• CV(s) of the Lead Researcher and key team members
• Two examples of research-based writing produced by the Lead Researcher, which may include academic publications, research reports, white papers, or grey literature

Please send your application, or any questions you might have, to recruitment@cherieblairfoundation.org

by midnight, BST on Sunday, 7 June 2026.Applications may close earlier depending on the number and quality of applications received, so early submission is strongly encouraged.

First round interviews will be held the week of 15 June.

See our previous pieces of research

• Adopted not embedded: AI, productivity and uneven gains for women entrepreneurs

  Research report on the use of AI by women entrepreneurs.

  Read more

• Empowered or Undermined? Women Entrepreneurs & the Digital Economy

  Exploring the experiences of women entrepreneurs in low and middle income countries in 2024

  Read more

• Resilience and Determination in the Face of Global Challenges

  Exploring the experiences of women entrepreneurs in low and middle income countries in 2022.

  Read more