Research Scientist

Position: Research Scientist

Location: Remote/Nationwide

FLSA Status: Exempt

Salary: The estimated salary range for this role is $81,850 - $106,400. This represents UUSA's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. Actual pay will vary based on various factors, including but not limited to organizational budgets, qualifications, experience, specialized skills, and training.

Position Description:

The Community Alliance for Child Rights (CACR) works to improve the lives of children in the U.S. through advocacy, research, and local partnerships with governments, civil society and the private sector. The work of the CACR is youth-centered and stewards over 600 youth clubs at the high school and college levels across the U.S. and over 30 youth involved in regional and national leadership efforts with UNICEF USA and on behalf of youth and children through the U.S.

The Research Scientist will work closely with and report to the Senior Director of Research, Evaluation and Research Partnership to build and implement UNICEF USA's domestic research portfolio in the CACR.

This role involves supporting the management of the UNICEF USA research network, management of internal and identification of external data sources for the purposes of developing and monitoring key performance indicators and data analysis, support of CACR research priorities, and serving as an internal resource for the CACR team in research, evaluations, and surveying best practices with a particular focus on the municipal partnership team. While technical expertise is fundamental to the role, interfacing with research partners to build and communicate with the UNICEF USA research network, resolve inquiries, and navigate external research funding is key. The candidate must have strong aptitudes for research, data analysis, writing, public data sources, analytical problem solving, and project management. This position may require online meetings with global colleagues outside of traditional business hours. 

Key Responsibilities (including but not limited to):

Research and Data Analysis (45%)

• Lead contracted researchers in collaborative novel research
• Co-author research reports for general and technical audiences with contracted researchers
• Conduct qualitative and quantitative data analysis on primary and secondary data
• Contribute to the development and refinement of research projects with premier scholars within and external to the UNICEF USA research network
• Manage key research relationships and support the domestic research coalition under the direction of the Senior Director of Research, Evaluations and Research Partnerships
• Present research findings in webinars, online symposia, research conferences and other public speaking events
• Manage youth advisory panels for youth participatory research

Monitoring, Evaluation and Key Performance Indicators (35%)

• Navigate internal data system to monitor and evaluate key performance indicators
• Lead quarterly reporting of key performance indicators for a mid-size team
• Provide data visualization and dashboards to support team efforts and performance
• Data management, cleaning, and analysis
• Collaborate with a small team to develop surveys and questionnaires as needed for the purposes of research 
• Collaborate on development of periodic research and policy publications.
• Lead contracted evaluators for the UNICEF USA Child Friendly Cities Initiative 

Administrative & Professional (20%)

• Contribute to writing and negotiating memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and contracts for contracted researcher and evaluators.
• Manage contractual relationships with premier scholars within and external to the UNICEF USA research network.
• Manage communication for general audience focused on youth including social media communications
• Engage in professional development and skill development activities and conferences
• Lead internal workgroups to improve performance management, etc. as assigned
• Participate in cross division collaboration on enterprise project as assigned
• Oversee and manage interns as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent, Master’s preferred, plus additional courses or professional training providing technical expertise in data management and statistical analysis. PhD strongly preferred
• Minimum 5 years relevant work experience. Will consider an equivalent combination of relevant education and work experience for candidates with a PhD.
• History of scholarly publications
• Proficiency in statistical analysis, preferably in R and/or STATA
• Expert knowledge of government research and datasets
• Experience in navigating secondary data related to children or child well-being preferred
• Experience in project management preferred
• Knowledge of research funding in the United States preferred
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office programs (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, Power Bl, etc.) 
• Ability to work collaboratively with remote colleagues at a variety of levels across the country with strong client services-oriented approach
• Ability to think strategically, creatively, and analytically
• Scrupulous attention to detail
• Must share a strong commitment to international humanitarian relief and passionately embrace the mission of UNICEF USA.

Must possess current and valid US Work Authorization and be eligible to work for any US employer without sponsorship.

Don’t meet every single requirement? That’s okay. UNICEF USA values diverse experiences and we’re always looking for people who will add to our culture and further our mission. If you are excited about this role and unsure about whether your past experience aligns with the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway.

Must possess current and valid US Work Authorization and be eligible to work for any US employer without sponsorship.

Due to the high volume of applications received, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. UNICEF USA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer

We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. UUSA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at peopleandculture@unicefusa.org.