James Bell Associates (JBA) is seeking a full-time research associate to join our Tribal Evaluation practice area and support our evaluation and technical assistance (TA) projects with American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. The ideal candidate has a passion for serving Tribal communities and is able to provide both individualized and universal TA to AI/AN early childhood programs. Individualized TA includes meeting with grant recipient leadership, data managers, and evaluators to provide tailored guidance and support on activities such as data collection and reporting, designing and conducting needs assessments, managing data systems, and conducting continuous quality improvement projects. Universal TA includes developing and delivering virtual and in-person training and TA sessions, facilitating peer sharing opportunities, and developing TA resources (e.g., toolkits, guidance documents). Other tasks include contributing to briefs and reports and supporting active engagement efforts to ensure grant recipient voice is represented in TA decisions and actions.
We are seeking an individual with substantial experience with research and evaluation methods, experience working with Tribal communities, organization and time management skills, and proficiency in developing written products and communicating effectively with various partners. Ideal candidates will have familiarity with federal data reporting, continuous quality improvement, and Tribal early childhood program design, implementation, and/or evaluation.
The position is remote with occasional travel for staff meetings. The salary range for this position is $80,000 to $95,000, based on experience.
Responsibilities
- Build relationships with staff from Tribes, Tribal organizations, urban Indian organizations, and federal agencies as a TA provider
- Provide individualized TA in the areas of needs assessments, program evaluation, performance measurement, data collection and reporting, data management, dissemination, and continuous quality improvement
- Conduct thorough and detailed reviews of grant recipient data submissions and provide feedback to grant recipients, in coordination with federal project officers
- Deliver engaging in-person and virtual trainings and TA sessions, facilitate peer learning opportunities and other collaborative meetings
- Apply rigorous analytic thinking to the collection and interpretation of quantitative and qualitative data
- Work collaboratively with teams, supporting a cohesive, team-oriented culture and promoting communication and integration among team members
- Contribute to the development of literature reviews, reports, technical memos, TA tools, issue briefs, presentations, and manuscripts
- Translate complex, technical information for practitioners and others with nontechnical backgrounds
- Draw from traditional knowledge and Western science to support the development of culturally responsive evaluation approaches
- Contribute to business development activities, including responding to requests for proposals (RFPs)
- Occasional travel for site visits, client meetings, and conferences
Required Qualifications
- Master’s degree in public health, child or human development, social work, family studies, anthropology, or public policy
- At least 5 years of experience working collaboratively with AI/AN communities in an evaluation or research capacity, including leading community engagement activities
- Knowledge of the breadth and context of AI/AN communities and Tribal sovereignty
- Experience collecting and reporting performance data for federal or state grants
- Experience with continuous quality improvement and/or data systems within human services programs
- Experience with early childhood, public health, health services, child welfare, or behavioral health in Tribal communities
- Strong organizational and analytical skills
- Strong written communication skills, including technical writing and use of plain language
- Excellent oral communication skills, including delivering dynamic presentations (virtually and in person), effectively and respectfully facilitating large and small group discussions, and demonstrating active listening
- Ability to collaborate and build strong working relationships with others, including working effectively as part of a team
- Flexibility to multitask effectively and produce high-quality work under time constraints
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience developing and implementing research designs, evaluation plans, and instruments, both qualitative and quantitative
- Knowledge of home visiting
Email cover letter, resume, and writing sample to apply.
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