Senior Associate Research, Evaluation
Position Summary
The mission of the Foundation's Research, Evaluation, Evidence and Data (REED) unit is to promote data-driven, research-based decision making within the Foundation and the broader fields in which it works. REED develops and manages a wide range of activities related to research, evaluation, data systems, evidence-based practice, performance management and implementation science. REED consists of two teams: Research Evaluation and Data (RED) and the Evidence-Based Practice Group (EBPG).
As a member of the Research, Evaluation and Data team reporting to the director of Research and Evaluation, the senior research associate will play a lead role in the Foundation's research and evaluation activities related to social service system reform (including juvenile justice, child welfare and other public systems), as well as economic opportunity and community development. The senior research associate will also collaborate with staff leading other areas of work, drawing on his or her methodological expertise to support and advance the Foundation's work on data-system development, evidence-based practice, implementation science and performance management.
Responsibilities:
- Plan, initiate and manage evaluability assessments of Foundation investments in system reform, programs, influence and capacity-building initiatives.
- Work with program staff on evaluation prerequisites for Foundation policy reform and program initiatives, including logic model, theory of change and evaluation plan development.
- Initiate and manage evaluations of complex, multisite policy reform and program initiatives operated by Foundation staff, including third-party process, cost and outcome evaluations.
- Identify and support opportunities to test the effectiveness of interventions relevant to Foundation priorities through rigorous impact evaluation of external programs and system and policy reforms, including randomized controlled trials.
- Build out the portfolio of qualitative and quantitative research grants (e.g., surveys, database studies, ethnographies, meta-analyses) that produce findings and data to shape and guide social policy innovations and reform that improve outcomes for the people and communities at the heart of the Foundation's mission, particularly youth and young adults.
- Collaborate with the director and other senior research associates in supporting equitable research and evaluation approaches and facilitating engagement with affected communities, as appropriate.
- Collaborate with REED colleagues to align and integrate evaluation, implementation-science and performance-management support for Foundation policy reform and program initiatives.
- Support efforts to refine, develop and improve the overall approach to evaluating the Foundation's work and to strengthen evaluation management.
- Collaborate with RED colleagues to identify opportunities to use public and nonprofit agency administrative data for efficient, cost-effective research and evaluation.
- Build the capacity of Foundation grantees, partners and staff to constructively participate in the research and evaluation process and use research and evaluation products and services.
- Identify key findings and lessons from research and evaluation investments and promote their dissemination and use within the Foundation and beyond.
- Collaborate with other REED staff to maximize opportunities for cross-unit and cross-project learning.
- Initiate and monitor grants, contracts and invoices to ensure compliance and timely completion of grant and contract requirements.
- Support the vice president and director in budget development.
- The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Qualifications:
- Minimum of 10 years of increasing responsibility and experience in research and evaluation, with particular interest in foundation, public sector or nonprofit settings; demonstrated interest and expertise in the evaluation of human service system reform and positive youth development, research design and methodology and related activities.
- D. preferred or equivalent experience in any of the following areas: public policy, public administration, social work, criminology, sociology, public health, psychology, organizational behavior, economics or related fields.
- Experience in managing complex, multiyear projects involving multiple contractors, partners and community stakeholders.
- Experience working with public systems and nonprofit agencies that serve children, youth, young adults and families involved in systems.
- 10-15 years of direct experience in research and evaluation design and implementation.
Essential Skills and Abilities:
- A bedrock commitment to the value of empirical data and rigorous, credible research as the basis of effective social policy and programs.
- A strong commitment to social justice and racial equity.
- A commitment to policy and practice reform that addresses disparities in social service, political and economic systems - especially racial and ethnic disparities but also those based on gender, language, age, income, immigration status and sexual identity.
- Exceptional oral and written communication skills, with expertise in communicating research and data to nonresearch audiences.
- Strong quantitative and/or qualitative research skills and demonstrated competence in mixed methods.
- Substantive knowledge and expertise in relevant areas such as youth development, public policy, social services (including child welfare and juvenile justice), secondary and post secondary education, economic opportunity and community development.
- Familiarity with relevant national databases, public and philanthropic research and evaluation initiatives and trends in the fields of data and technology.
- Connection with robust and diverse networks of researchers and evaluators in the field of study.
- Competence in the use of administrative computer programs that include databases designed for routine grant management, personnel management, reporting and correspondence.
- Ability to appropriately prioritize among multiple competing demands in a manner consistent with the mission of promoting data-driven, research-based decision making in the Foundation and beyond.
- Sound and seasoned judgment, including a demonstrated capacity to support and lead effectively when working with Foundation leaders, senior researchers, policymakers, consumers and advocates.
- Organizational, analytical and planning skills that can sustain the multifaceted work of complicated initiatives, as well as the specific activities of individual grantees and sites.
- Willingness and aptitude to work effectively in an environment of collective decision making and cross-disciplinary cooperation, while taking leadership on research and evaluation decisions.
- Ability to act as translator and liaison between research grantees and contractors and program staff.
- Independence and initiative to anticipate and act upon the needs of grantees and the goals of the Foundation, in ongoing consultation with the director.
- The work is performed primarily in an office setting, with up to 20-30 percent travel required.
Compensation:
This is an exempt position, meaning pay is on a salaried rather than hourly or daily basis. Starting salary is commensurate with experience. A strong benefits package will be provided.