Research Associate

Evaluation Strategies; Detroit (MI); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Evaluation Strategies seeks a Research Associate to design and manage social service and education evaluations. You will work under a senior evaluator, coordinating multiple projects, developing evaluation designs, timelines, and instruments, and assisting with grant writing and reporting.

Advanced degree in social sciences, education, public health, or psychology is required, with flexibility in hours and the ability to work from home or attend Detroit meetings as needed.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in a relevant field and 3+ years of related experience or coursework.
• Experience designing and managing social service and education evaluation projects.
• Proficiency in writing evaluation reports and proposals.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Project Lead or team member on multiple evaluations.
• Coordinate and manage 3–5 projects simultaneously.
• Design evaluation plans, timelines, and data collection instruments.
• Schedule client and team meetings and produce evaluation reports.
• Contribute to grant writing and client reporting.
• Oversee data collection, entry, and quality control.

Skills

Social science research

Evaluation design

Statistical analysis

Data collection methods

Project leadership

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Grant writing support

Education

Master’s degree or Ph.D. in relevant field

Tools

PowerPoint

Statistical software

Job description

Evaluation Strategies is a female-owned evaluation company that works with a broad spectrum of education and human service organizations and programs at the local, state, and federal levels to provide evaluation and technical assistance services.We provides evaluation, grant writing, and survey services which include the design, facilitation, and implementation of multi-stakeholder change initiatives. Evaluation services include program evaluation, evaluation of partnerships and collaborations, survey construction, administration of and analyses of focus groups, qualitative methodologies, statistical analyses, data collection management, benchmarking, and strategic planning.

Evaluation Strategies is seeking a Research Associate to join our team. Responsibilities include designing and managing social service and education evaluation projects under the direction of a senior evaluator. Advanced degree in social sciences, education, public health, or psychology.Flexibility in hours. Ability to work from home. Attend client meetings and phone conferences during regular business hours.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as a Project Lead and/or a member of an evaluation team throughout an evaluation
• Be responsible for coordinating, managing and conducting evaluation activities for 3-5 various projects
• Be responsible for designing evaluation plans including the development of evaluation designs, project timelines, procedures, and instrumentation (e.g. surveys, etc.)
• Schedule and coordinate meetings between clients and evaluators as well as within the evaluation team
• Responsible for writing evaluation reports and other evaluation written materials
• Participate in grant writing for clients.
• Provide support for reporting requirement for evaluations.
• Oversee staff in the collection, proofing, entry and editing of data for analysis, when needed
• Design, develop, and adjust instrumentation
• Be responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting qualitative and quantitative evaluation data
• Provide technical assistance, consultation and training in evaluation, organizational development and data collection as needed
• Participate in generating new business through client development and writing of grant proposals
• Maintain accurate program files, documentation, and support materials
• Develop literature reviews, fact sheets, PowerPoint presentations, agendas and report summaries
• Work effectively within a team setting to accomplish objectives of each project
• Cultivate and promote positive interactions among staff, as well as between staff and clients.
• If assigned, act as a supervisor of one or more staff members or students

Knowledge & Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of social service research and evaluation design and methods, both quantitative and qualitative approaches in social service and education programs.
• Knowledge of data collection techniques and measurement tools.
• Knowledge of statistical analysis, such as univariate, descriptive analysis to more complex statistical modeling.
• Proficiency in computer use/email/statistical software, ability to use computer on a regular basis.
• Expertise in designing and carrying out quantitative and qualitative evaluation activities.
• Skill in interpreting evaluation data for various stakeholder groups.
• Proficiency in statistical analysis methods is required.
• Be familiar with current evaluation and research practices.

Experience and skill in grant and proposal development

• Excellent technical written and oral communication skills. This position will require you to produce evaluation reports or other types of written material on a regular basis.
• Take initiative, work independently and as part of a team.
• Effectively work with a variety of personalities and situations requiring tact and good judgment.
• Work effectively in a collegial team environment. Maintain a good working relationship with all team members
• Strong organization abilities, including ability to manage 3-5 projects simultaneously.
• Ability to complete travel for work assignments.
• Manage multiple tasks, prioritize work and meet deadlines.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in relevant field and 3+ years of related experience or completion of extensive related coursework.
• Proficiency in statistical analysis methods.
• Ideal candidate will be a self-starter with excellent organization skills, attention to detail, communication skills and ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. Comfortable with technology and fast pace environments
• Preferred location is in southeast Michigan.
• Ability to attend in person meetings in Detroit, MI.
• Knowledge of social work, psychology, general education, teen pregnancy prevention, and/or early childhood education.