To provide research and data analytics project management support to members and to the organization in order to develop primary and secondary research and conduct data analyses that supports enterprise learning and thought leadership goals, including research design, analysis and strategic dissemination of federal and state anti-hunger and nutrition support programs, legislation, and programs of Feeding America.
Areas of Responsibility:
- Directs and manages the production of critical research projects and key initiatives (e.g., the Service Insights Initiative), including planning and design, the execution of data collection and analysis, preparation of materials for National Office and/or food bank use to drive evidence-based solution development, and coordination of insights through best practice translational research structures to develop and disseminate key findings.
- Defines scope, goals and deliverables of projects in collaboration with Research Leadership, senior management, Technical Advisory Group, and other stakeholders.
- Identifies and manages project plan; schedules project timelines and milestones using appropriate tools.
- Effectively communicates expectations and delegates tasks to team members, appropriate personnel, and/or consultants in a timely and clear fashion.
- Supports Research Leadership in scaling the Service Insights Initiative (i.e., electronic client intake), by increasing member adoption through technical assistance, distribution and management of grants, comprehensive training opportunities, learning cohorts, etc.
- Serves as the primary point of contact to members and state associations newly interested in adopting electronic intake or to early adopters with existing data to be analyzed.
- Provides thought leadership and technical assistance to network members to drive the development of local-level research & policy analysis capability.
- Works in partnership with food banks, technology vendors, and other internal Feeding America departments, including supporting the Research Analyst and IT department, to develop the technology infrastructure needed to obtain, store, and manage client level data provided by members and their partner agencies.
- Provides research and data analysis-related technical assistance to state associations, food bank members and agencies, assisting them in their understanding of data related to food insecurity, low-income populations, etc.
- Oversees the collection, compilation, cleaning, monitoring and integration of quantitative data from public and private sources such as Service Insights client intake data, Census Bureau data, American Community Survey estimates, federal and state food assistance and commodity distribution programs, food price data, local food tax data, etc. Directs and oversees all statistical data analysis conducted in-house.
- Directs data quality control process for primary data products and outputs such as client intake data, food insecurity estimates, food bank and state data files, public-use data files, etc.
- Collaborates with other Feeding America departments, including IT, Government Relations, Strategy, Programs, and Communications to ensure that research insights and data are available at key junctures to proactively inform and support enterprise strategic decisions, policy initiatives, and public audience awareness.
- Supports the creation of visualizations (e.g., using Tableau), executive summaries, and other deliverables that interpret and disseminate outcomes and key findings from research studies and initiatives
- Supports and serves as a liaison to Feeding America’s Technical Advisory Group, a panel of national experts on research methodologies and food insecurity, to provide for appropriate peer review of research activities and to augment department research capacity.
- Develop analytical presentations to share with key stakeholders, including members, research partners, and donors.
- Provides strategic counsel to Research Leadership on budget management for all key research projects, including tracking monthly expenses, submitting invoices, serving as a liaison to the Finance department, and providing support during the annual reforecasting process.
- Supports the development of survey instruments for the purpose of conducting original research to gather insights about low-income, food-insecure populations.
- Manages external research and supporting vendors engaged to provide technical expertise and support for key research initiatives.
- Presents at learning conferences, policy forums and similar events on Feeding America research.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Upholds the nationally recognized expertise of Feeding America on policy & research within the fields of food assistance and poverty.
Educational Background:
BA/BS required or equivalent experience.
Skills/Experience:
- Master’s Degree preferred,
- 7 plus years in public policy, advocacy or policy research work with 2 plus years in social science research and statistical analysis.
- Advanced data analytics and data analysis systems management skills.
- Experience managing research staff preferred.
- Experience working with databases, including multi-site data systems development and data management functions.
- Project management experience required.
- Excellent customer service and communication skills with demonstrated experience providing technical assistance support and leading trainings and peer learning opportunities.
- Excellent analytical, oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to think creatively and strategically as part of a team and within broad coalitions.
- Ability to multi-task with a strong sense of meeting deadlines and follow-up.
- Experience with the distribution and management of grants preferred.
- Proficiency in MS Office applications required.
- Proficiency in SPSS, STATA, R, and/or SAS required.
- 20% - 30% travel required.
- Committed to organizational mission of ending hunger.
How to Apply:
Job Function:
Organization Info
Listing Stats
Post Date:
Oct 5 2018
Active Until:
Nov 5 2018
Hiring Organization:
Feeding America
industry:
Nonprofit