Research Analyst

United Planning Organization Inc; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dental/MetLife insurance

Vision/VSP insurance

401k with Safe Harbor Match

Sick Leave

Vacation Leave

Personal days

Paid holidays

Job summary

United Planning Organization Inc is seeking a Research Analyst for a temporary position in Washington, DC. This role involves conducting a thorough community needs assessment using different research methods to produce the 2027 DC Community Needs Assessment.

Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, with strong skills in data analysis, and communication. The position offers competitive benefits and a salary range of $65,000 - $75,000 based on experience.

Qualifications

• Experience working with data analysis tools.
• Experience conducting primary and secondary research.
• Excellent writing ability.

Responsibilities

• Produce a comprehensive city-wide needs assessment survey.
• Develop a data gathering and assessment plan.
• Prepare presentations for reporting to UPO leadership.

Skills

Data analysis

Research methods

Communication

Critical thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in relevant field

Tools

R

GIS

Power BI

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Research Analyst

Full Time Temporary Full-Time 301 Rhode Island Ave NW, WDC 20001 (COS), Washington, DC, US

4 days ago Requisition ID: 1279

Salary Range: $65,000 - $75,000 Annually

The United Planning Organization (UPO) is the designated Community Action Agency for Washington, District of Columbia, and has served the residents of the District since 1962. Our Vision for the future is “UPO’s Washington: A city of thriving communities and self-sufficient residents”; our Mission is “Uniting People with Opportunities.”

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply for this position or any other position currently advertised on our website. Please visit us at www.upo.org to view all of our vacancies and to learn more about our company and services.

Position: Research Analyst (Temporary)

Division/Office: Office of Business Development and Asset Management

Bulletin No: 0162026

Salary Range: $65,000-$75,000 Commensurate with Experience

First Source: N/A

Brief Description

The Research Analyst will complete a 12-month research project in the District of Columbia that will employ a variety of research methods to produce the 2027 DC Community Needs Assessment. The candidate will primarily conduct comprehensive quantitative and qualitative research, literature review, and data analysis. This is a temporary, one‑year position with the possibility of extension or permanence.

Critical Functions and Duties

• Produce UPO’s District of Columbia Triennial Community Needs Assessment.
• Develop and implement a 12‑month data gathering and assessment plan to complete a comprehensive city‑wide needs assessment survey, including analysis of quantitative (survey) and qualitative (focus group/targeted interview) data, literature reviews, community asset mapping, and case studies.
• Author the needs assessment adhering to prevailing standards of writing, citation, and ethical use of sources.
• Coordinate with the Director of Business Development and Asset Management to execute a workplan and with UPO inter‑office staff to analyze qualitative and quantitative data.
• Prepare presentations for reporting to UPO leadership, board members, and the general public relative to findings of the needs assessment.
• Recommend priority areas for strategic program development responsive to the needs assessment.
• Support UPO staff, volunteers, and interns engaged in the needs assessment process.
• Routinely collect, analyze, and present relevant information and data that inform strategic decisions.
• Perform analyses on U.S. Census data relevant to low‑income communities.
• Support business development efforts by conducting thorough research requested by executive leadership that influences strategic decision making.
• Support the organization’s grant development function by drafting research and developing content needed for grant proposals, when needed.
• Support post‑award reporting of grant‑funded programs, when needed.
• Provide the office with administrative support, including obtaining financial and grant management reports, tracking rental data, and liaising on special projects.
• Work with third‑party consultants to gather information to inform special reports and studies.

Core Competencies

• Collaborative: Works well in collaboration with others including internal staff.
• Cultural Competence: Ability to adapt to and interact with District of Columbia stakeholders of diverse cultures, backgrounds, and abilities (residents, government agencies, private sector partners, etc.).
• Pro‑Active: Self‑starter and can work independently.
• Critical Thinker: Ability to execute excellent critical thinking and decision‑making skills.
• Time Management: Works well in meeting tight deadlines.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Economics, Public Policy, Public Health, Sociology, Social Work, Data Science, Human Development, English, or related field.
• Experience working with data analysis tools (e.g., R, Question Pro, Qualtrics, NVivo, GIS, Power BI).
• Experience conducting primary and secondary research.
• Experience working on concurrent projects in a cross‑functional environment.
• Experience converting qualitative and quantitative information into clear narratives and visually compelling presentations accessible to multiple audiences.
• Excellent writing ability with flexibility in various domains.
• Demonstrated experience utilizing methodology concepts for analysis and brief findings.
• At least two years of quantitative or statistical analysis experience, including academic, professional, and voluntary.
• Ability to work sensitively and effectively with individuals of diverse educational, socio‑economic and cultural backgrounds.

Desired Qualifications

• Advanced degree preferred in English, Psychology, Economics, Public Policy, Public Health, Sociology, Social Work, Data Science, Human Development, or related field.
• Experience in GIS (Geospatial Information Systems) platform, conducting place‑based data analyses and visualizations.
• Experience with data visualization tools.
• Experience programming in a variety of complex and comprehensive data statistical platforms.
• Experience writing private and government grants.
• Advanced statistical knowledge (e.g., descriptive statistics including means, frequencies, regressions).
• Ability to design and conduct interviews, focus groups, and analyze qualitative data.

In the event that an offer is extended, the candidate will be required to successfully complete a criminal background check and/or FBI fingerprinting, as well as pre‑employment drug screening, as applicable for the position.

This position is not covered by the collective bargaining agreement with the CWA union.

Position eligible for remote work: NO

Employment type: Temporary (one year with possible conversion to permanent) Full Time, Regular (37.5 hour workweek)

This position is Temporary and will end 9/1/2027

Benefits

• Dental/MetLife, all employees paid
• Vision/VSP, all employees paid
• 401k, Safe Harbor Match‑5.5% given as a benefit, will match 1% of staff contribution
• Sick Leave 4.5 hours every pay period
• Vacation Leave 4.5 hours every pay period
• 2 personal days
• Paid holidays

To be considered for this position: Please submit your cover letter and resume online to the Career Center.