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This is a remote position.
The opportunity
Our client is seeking a multidisciplinary scholar who combines classical Islamic scholarship with rigorous economic thinking to improve how Muslims worldwide allocate Zakat and Sadaqah. This is an applied research role focused on evaluating charitable causes, assessing available evidence, and recommending where philanthropic capital can achieve the greatest impact while remaining grounded in Shariah principles. You will translate complex jurisprudential questions and economic evidence into clear, actionable recommendations for significant philanthropic decisions. The role requires intellectual rigor, sound judgment, and the ability to make defensible decisions when evidence is incomplete.
About the client
Our client is a mission-driven organization focused on improving the effectiveness of Muslim charitable giving. Its work aims to bring Islamic jurisprudence and economic evidence together to inform decisions about Zakat, Sadaqah, charitable causes, and philanthropic resource allocation.
The client is looking for a researcher who can move beyond theoretical discussion and help decision-makers deploy philanthropic capital through practical, well-reasoned recommendations.
What you will do
Apply classical Islamic scholarship, including Usul al-Fiqh and contemporary Fiqh al-Zakat, to assess the eligibility and appropriateness of charitable causes and interventions.
Evaluate relevant scholarly opinions and translate their practical implications into recommendations for contemporary charitable giving.
Apply economic reasoning and empirical research methods to assess charitable interventions, development priorities, and potential social impact.
Review available evidence on effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and the likely impact of alternative uses of philanthropic capital.
Compare competing allocation opportunities, identify relevant trade-offs, and recommend a preferred course of action.
Make reasoned recommendations when evidence is incomplete, clearly distinguishing established findings from assumptions and uncertainties.
Produce concise research reports and recommendations in clear English, communicating complex Shariah and economic concepts without unnecessary academic jargon.
Explain and defend allocation decisions to philanthropic decision-makers, including the rationale for prioritizing one cause or intervention over another.
Requirements
Classical Islamic training with deep mastery of Usul al-Fiqh and contemporary Fiqh al-Zakat .
A Master's or Doctorate in Economics or a closely related quantitative social science field.
Strong grounding in empirical research methods, development economics, public finance, or a closely related discipline.
The ability to integrate Islamic jurisprudence and economic evidence without treating either discipline as secondary.
Strong analytical judgment and the ability to make clear, defensible recommendations when data is incomplete or competing scholarly opinions exist.
The ability to evaluate evidence, articulate trade-offs, and identify a preferred course of action rather than presenting options without a recommendation.
Excellent written English, with the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly and concisely.
A practical, outcome-oriented approach to research, with a focus on informing real-world philanthropic decisions.
Helpful, not essential Direct experience evaluating charitable organizations, philanthropic interventions, or cause areas.
Experience in Zakat institutions, Islamic social finance, development economics, public finance, or evidence-based philanthropy.
Experience conducting cost-effectiveness analysis or assessing the impact of social interventions.
Experience advising major donors, philanthropic institutions, or organizations making substantial resource-allocation decisions.
Experience producing research for non-academic decision-makers.
Who will thrive in this role?
The integrated scholar: You respect Islamic jurisprudence and economic evidence equally and can bring both disciplines to bear on practical allocation decisions.
The decisive thinker: You can evaluate competing arguments, identify trade-offs, and recommend a clear course of action.
The pragmatic researcher: You can work with imperfect data and make informed judgments without waiting for an ideal dataset.
The clear communicator: You can translate complex Shariah and economic concepts into concise, accessible recommendations.
The mission-driven practitioner: You care about improving the effectiveness of Muslim charitable giving and want your research to inform real-world decisions.
About Apricot
Apricot is a nonprofit sourcing firm connecting displaced and underserved professionals from Palestine and the wider MENA region with global employment opportunities. We combine a clear social-impact mission with fast, high-quality recruitment delivery for international clients. Depending on the engagement, Apricot may also support vetting, contracting, payroll, and global payments so clients and talent can focus on doing strong work together.