To provide research project management support to the organization in order to develop primary and secondary research 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 (e.g., research studies including Pulse Communities, the annual Map the Meal Gap study and special population studies), including the initial 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.
- Provides input and support to guide the prioritization and integration of the Strategic Research Agenda into the active research and programmatic approaches that align with Feeding America’s mission and organizational goals and takes on project management responsibilities to carry out research that supports new research projects as they arise to advance the strategic agenda questions.
- Manages the Research Department budgets, processing payments, tracking monthly expenses, facilitating the execution of new contracts, and serving as a liaison to the Finance department.
- Provides strategic counsel to the Research Leadership on budget management for all key research projects and coordinates the execution of activities during the annual budget and reforecasting processes.
- Provides thought leadership and technical assistance to network members to drive the development of local-level research & policy analysis capability.
- Oversees the collection, compilation, cleaning, monitoring and integration of quantitative data from public and private sources such as 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 all statistical data analysis conducted in-house.
- Directs data quality control process for primary data products and outputs such as food insecurity estimates, interactive map, food bank and state data files, public-use data files, etc.
- Collaborates with other Feeding America departments, including Government Relations, Strategy, 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 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.
- Provides strategic counsel to Research Leadership on budget management for all key research projects, including tracking monthly expenses, serving as a liaison to the Finance department, and providing support during the annual reforecasting process.
- 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 or relevant experience Masters preferred
Skills/Experience:
- 5 plus years in public policy, advocacy or policy research work with 2 plus years in social science research and statistical analysis
Required Leadership Competencies
- Leverages Functional Expertise – Ability to leverage strong functional knowledge in the areas of research, data/statistical analysis and project management.
- Manages for Results – Works to apply a variety of proven research and program implementation techniques to advance project goals
- Collaborates Internally and Externally – Ability to collaborate across a variety of internal departments as well as partner and engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including food banks, agencies, forums, foundations, corporate sponsors, academic partners, and practitioner groups.
- Translates Strategy to Operational Goals – Ability to take defined strategies and develop plans to advance our research and data efforts and initiatives.
- Communicates Effectively – Ability to commutive technical and complex issues and results with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders through both presentations and written materials.
Required Technical Competencies and Experience
- Excellent analytical, oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to think creatively and strategically as part of a team and within broad coalitions.
- SPSS required
- Proficiency in MS Office applications.
- 10% - 20% travel required.
Other Requirements
- Committed to organizational mission of ending hunger.
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion – Committed to a workplace that values different backgrounds and life experiences and allows everyone to bring their authentic self to work. Builds equity into structures, systems and processes for our employees and the communities we serve.
How to Apply:
Organization Info
Listing Stats
Post Date:
Jun 6 2019
Active Until:
Jul 6 2019
Hiring Organization:
Feeding America
industry:
Nonprofit