NCLR is seeking an Associate Director of Research in its Washington, DC office. NCLR conducts both primary – largely qualitative (focus groups, etc.) – and secondary research on a range of topics within its issue-based policy projects (i.e., civic engagement, civil rights and criminal justice, education and children, employment and economic opportunity, health, immigration, state/local advocacy, and wealth building).

Salary: Commensurate with experience

The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) – the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States – works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. Through its network of nearly 300 affiliated community-based organizations (CBOs), NCLR reaches millions of Hispanics each year in 41 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. To achieve its mission, NCLR conducts applied research, policy analysis, and advocacy, providing a Latino perspective in five key areas – assets/investments, civil rights/immigration, education, employment and economic status, and health. In addition, it provides capacity-building assistance to its Affiliates who work at the state and local level to advance opportunities for individuals and families.

Founded in 1968, NCLR is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan, tax-exempt organization headquartered in Washington, DC. NCLR serves all Hispanic subgroups in all regions of the country and has operations in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, Sacramento, San Antonio, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. For more information, please visit www.nclr.org.

As this is a new position, the Associate Director of Research will have an opportunity to develop and lead NCLR’s strategy for conducting policy-oriented research, as well as build a team that engages in policy research. NCLR offers a collaborative, team-based environment that fosters a culture of ideas and debate. Therefore, the Associate Director of Research will work in consultation with NCLR’s management teams to help map and coordinate ongoing research across the policy department, identify and fill gaps in policy-driven research, provide technical support to research and data analysts within issue-based policy projects, and contribute to the development and implementation of a research agenda around Latino children’s policy issues. The goal of this position is to ensure that the collective body of policy-driven research work conducted by NCLR is of high quality, strategic, timely, impactful, and policy-relevant.

The Associate Director of Research is housed in the Research Department within the NCLR Office of Research, Advocacy, and Legislation (ORAL). The Associate Director will report to both the Deputy Vice President and Senior Vice President of ORAL and will be expected to work collaboratively with other staff as needed in the execution of research projects.

Responsibilities

Research Development and Implementation (25%)

• In consultation with supervisors and project directors, develop and implement a children’s policy research agenda
• Help to support, develop, promote, and prioritize NCLR’s policy-focused research

Techincal Support and Research Oversight (40%)

• Provide technical support that allows NCLR to respond quickly to emerging and unplanned research needs/demands
• Work with NCLR staff to develop and expand the technical skills of current and new data analysts
• Identify and work independently to fill gaps in research
• Support and help facilitate completion of research work; assist in handling and facilitating projects that overlap issue areas
• Help to ensure consistency across the component in the quality, quantity, and impact of policy research, and improve systems and processes for monitoring, conducting, and completing research
• Provide timely advice and guidance to colleagues, supervisors, and others, as required

Administration and Management (35%)

• Co-supervise the component’s research and data analysts
• Assist in the development of research plans
• Help to procure and manage necessary shared technology
• Facilitate quality control with respect to both research methods and published documents
• Monitor research production systems and processes from development to dissemination
• Support the component’s efforts to raise funds for research

The Associate Director of Research will serve as a spokesperson for the institution on major research in which he/she is the lead, and support colleagues in communication efforts, as needed.

Qualifications

Required

• PhD or in the process of completing a doctoral degree
• Expertise in the development and management of research projects (3-5 years)
• Demonstrated record of research skills and success through original research on Latinos, immigrants, or low-income families; authored, edited, and published numerous major works (e.g., books, reports, and journal articles)
• Expertise in qualitative and quantitative research methods (focus groups, etc.)
• Demonstrated experience of having worked on and managed multiple research projects
• Experience working with junior and senior researchers, and exposure to policy settings
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team
• Knowledge of research funding and proposal writing
• Proficiency with MS Office, Outlook, Excel, SPSS/SAS, other statistical software, and PowerPoint
• Experience with the Latino community

Ideal/Preferred

• Familiarity with academic or major research institutions
• Experience supervising staff
• Media experience
• Written and spoken Spanish-language proficiency

Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, national origin, marital status, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, personal appearance, family responsibilities, political affiliation, or enrollment in a college, university, technical school, or adult education.