Research Associate I – International Programs

JOB DESCRIPTION:

NORC at the University of Chicago seeks a Research Associate I to support project work in the International Programs Department (INPRO) in our Bethesda, MD office.

The Research Associate will support senior technical staff in implementing evaluation projects and data collection and analysis activities. In equal parts, they will work on business development tasks. We envision a 50:50.

Specific technical responsibilities may include conducting literature reviews, assisting in the design of survey and/or qualitative instruments and training materials, coordinating and assisting interviewer training activities, conducting data quality reviews of quantitative and/or qualitative data, and analysis of primary and secondary data including preparation of reports, memos, and tables/graphs of findings and supporting business development.

As a condition of employment, all NORC employees and contractors – including those working remotely – must be fully vaccinated to comply with the Executive Order issued by President Biden on September 9, 2021.

DEPARTMENT: International Programs
INPRO was established in 2005, and works on impact and performance evaluations, surveys, and qualitative data collection, among other research activities, throughout the developing world. Our research covers a range of sectors including education and training, child and youth well-being, democracy and governance, agriculture, water and sanitation, infrastructure, housing, finance, and health. Since its establishment INPRO has implemented projects in more than 90 countries.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide general assistance on project work and proposals. This may include scheduling meetings, taking meeting notes, conducting background research, assisting with research design, data collection and operations, cleaning and analyses of primary or secondary data, preparing data delivery files, and drafting memos, tables, and graphics based on findings.
• Assist in the development of data collection protocols,  prepare training materials and appropriate data collection protocols, deliver interviewer training, prepare quantitative reports to help monitor data collection productivity and quality.
• Assist with data cleaning, review, and file preparation; support analysis of primary and secondary data under supervision of more senior staff. Conduct ad hoc data analyses to summarize information into tables, graphics, and text.
• Take meeting notes and prepare initial drafts of minutes; take notes during telephone/in-person interviews.
• Support the development of new business by coordinating and supporting proposal development for both large and small business development opportunities, including developing and tracking proposal calendar and compliance matrix; recruiting subcontractors and consultants for proposals; researching organizational partners; formatting CVs and proposal; producing capability statements and past performance references; among other things. They may also be responsible for pre-proposal capture work and developing business development resource repositories.

The position will require occasional international travel for 2 weeks at a time and offers an opportunity to gain first-hand management and field experience.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations, Public Policy, Economics, or other social science research field required. Degrees in other subjects will be considered, if other relevant skills apply.
• Basic knowledge of the principles, processes, and methods of social science research through study and/or experience in the field
• International experience a plus
• Excellent writing skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Strong proficiency with MS Office software, including Excel
• Strong analytic skills
• Outstanding interpersonal and critical reasoning skills
• Proficiency with quantitative (STATA, SPSS) and/or qualitative (NVivo, Dedoose. Atlas ti) software packages
• Working proficiency with French or Spanish
• The position may require occasional international travel for 2 weeks at a time (once it is safe to do so.)

WHAT WE DO:

NORC at the University of Chicago is an objective, non-partisan research institution that delivers reliable data and rigorous analysis to guide critical programmatic, business, and policy decisions. Since 1941, our teams have conducted groundbreaking studies, created and applied innovative methods and tools, and advanced principles of scientific integrity and collaboration. Today, government, corporate, and nonprofit clients around the world partner with us to transform increasingly complex information into useful knowledge.

We provide comprehensive and integrated services that span the research cycle, and offer solutions that anticipate and address critical needs in research and data science. We approach all work with deep technical expertise, a spirit of collaboration, and a commitment to scientific integrity.  

WHO WE ARE:

For over 75 years, NORC has evolved in many ways, moving the needle with research methods, technical applications and groundbreaking research findings. But our tradition of excellence, passion for innovation, and commitment to collegiality have remained constant components of who we are as a brand, and who each of us is as a member of the NORC team. With world-class benefits, a business casual environment, and an emphasis on continuous learning, NORC is a place where people join for the stellar research and analysis work for which we’re known, and stay for the relationships they form with their colleagues who take pride in the impact their work is making on a global scale.

EEO STATEMENT: 

NORC is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer that values and actively seeks diversity in the workforce. NORC evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other legally- protected characteristics.