Principal Research And Evaluation Manager

Summary

Join Acacia Center for Justice as a Principal Research and Evaluation Associate (PREM)! This role involves leading research and evaluation of legal support programs for immigrants. You will manage a team of research associates, conduct quantitative analyses, and communicate findings to internal and external stakeholders, including the Department of Justice. The PREM will play a key role in ensuring that Acacia’s race, equity, and inclusion priorities are central to its research. This position requires advanced quantitative skills, proficiency in statistical programming languages (R preferred), and excellent communication abilities. A PhD or master's degree is preferred, along with significant research experience.

Requirements

• Commitment to using research and analysis to address and undo racism and inequity in the immigration legal system; lived experience preferred
• Advanced quantitative skills, including hands-on experience with administrative and relational datasets and both predictive and causal analyses; ability to think creatively about how to use statistical methods to address pressing policy questions
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel and Word, or similar software
• Fluency in at least one analytical programming language (e.g., R, Python, Stata, and/or SQL), R preferred; ability to learn R while in the role required
• Exceptional written and oral communications skills, including authoring and editing research reports in written and visual formats accessible to a broader audience, and translating and presenting research findings to external stakeholders
• Bachelor’s degree required, plus four to seven years of relevant experience in applied research, equivalent applied experience, social science, or other related disciplines. In lieu of degree requirement, applicable work or life experience may be considered
• At least three years of full-time research experience, including the leadership of a substantial research or evaluation project from inception through conclusion and dissemination
• Experience in the fields of program evaluation, applied economics, quantitative sociology, computational social science, statistics, measurement, or a related field
• Experience working on evaluation and measurement on government contracts
• Experience leading in a project management role
• Experience in a supervision role

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development and implementation of measurement, evaluation, and learning metrics, including KPIs and cost analyses
• Lead and manage rigorous performance outcomes measurement and data analytics in support of federal contracts, in partnership with other senior research staff, senior data science staff, senior program management staff, and external partners
• Lead and develop additional analyses, and train, supervise, and mentor others on both quantitative and qualitative methods
• Communicate findings from research and data analysis in writing and presentations delivered to internal and external audiences, including representing the work in communication with federal government stakeholders, fielding questions and addressing requests for additional information
• Partner with the Associate Director of Research and Evaluation, the Director of Research and Evaluation, and other research leadership to establish a long-term research agenda in support of the team’s work
• Manage integration of insights gained from performance evaluation metrics and statistical analyses into program planning and implementation, collaborating closely with senior program management staff and a nationwide network of service providers
• Maintain an in-depth understanding of developments in program support, program administration, and federal policy to strategically guide research in support of the contract and program goals
• Participate in peer review of research designs, literature reviews, and analysis plans
• Develop research proposals in support of fundraising led by REDA leadership and Acacia’s External Affairs and Development units
• Develop and present IRB applications and ensure that research is conducted to the highest ethical standards
• Supervise, support, and mentor research associates across methodologies and levels
• Strategize and build opportunities for professional growth, development, and skill building among supervisees
• Support recruitment and hiring for the research team
• Other duties as assigned

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong understanding of the U.S. immigration system; experience working with immigration related data
• Fluency in data management
• Ability to work collaboratively using Git/GitHub, or the ability to quickly learn for code review
• Fluency in a language other than English spoken by people impacted by immigration enforcement in the United States
• PhD or master's degree preferred

Benefits

• Medical/Dental/Vision- Some plans at $0 cost to the employee
• Employee Assistance Program
• 20 days per year of vacation time
• 12 days per year of sick time
• 5 personal days
• 4 organization-wide Wellness Days
• 11 observed holidays, including the last week of December
• $2000 Professional Development Stipend
• Home office set-up stipend
• Internet Stipend
• 401k with 5% employer contribution, no employee participation required
• Student loan repayment assistance
• Gym Reimbursement