Research Associate - Committee on Human Rights

National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; United States; Hybrid; USD 59,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Disability coverage

Retirement and savings benefits

Paid holidays and paid personal leave

Job summary

The National Academies seeks a detail-oriented professional to support the Committee on Human Rights (CHR) through research, analysis, and technical writing. You will prepare preliminary outlines, analyze data, and develop program materials, reports, and bibliographies to support committee activities.

The role includes preparing meeting summaries, coordinating with staff and external partners, and contributing to public awareness of the committee's work.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent knowledge.
• Two years of related professional experience.
• Master's degree in a related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepare outlines of projects to determine methodology and perform analysis.
• Write and edit technical papers and summaries for committee review.
• Manage bibliographic databases and reference material.
• Support committee meetings and prepare summaries and briefing books.
• Respond to inquiries and increase public awareness of program activities.
• Mentor or supervise junior staff as needed.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Independent judgment

Team collaboration

Written and verbal communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Master's degree in a related field

Job description

Job Description Summary

The Committee on Human Rights (CHR) is a standing membership committee of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and National Academy of Medicine. The CHR advocates for professional colleagues subjected to violations of international human rights law and raises awareness of the connections between human rights and science, engineering, and medicine. Develops pertinent background research to support a greater understanding of conditions, issues, and trends impacting assigned programs, projects, subjects, and topics. Performs research and analysis and drafts background papers. Prepares preliminary outlines of projects to determine appropriate methodology, which may include developing a historical perspective; identifying prevailing social and economic conditions and international involvement in issues; and assessing future trends and implications. Documents and establishes files on analyses performed and prepares data for use in summaries, fact sheets, and reports. Edits report material developed by committee members, senior staff, and consultants. Manages related databases, including reference databases. Responds to inquiries about program activities and supports increased public awareness of these activities. May assist with administrative duties related to programs and projects. Applying general professional-level knowledge and principles of research, performs duties requiring the identification and analysis of various factors and the use of independent judgment and discretion to recommend the best course of action. Proceeds on own initiative in compliance with established policies, procedures, and practices, seeking guidance or expertise from a supervisor or higher-level staff when needed. May lead and/or supervise lower-level support employees.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

1. Research, Analysis, and Methodology

Prepares preliminary outlines of projects to determine appropriate methodology. Performs research and analysis, analyzing and organizing technical data and reports and compiling summaries of information. Analyzes data developed and prepares written interpretations. Synthesizes data for specific sections of reports or other types of output. May perform basic research and analysis. Prepares and formats various survey instruments and databases to accept specified information. Verifies references and checks facts of committee reports.

2. Technical Writing, Reports, and Program Materials

Writes technical papers or summaries. Abstracts information from reports, expert assessments, and other source materials to create overviews for committee review or use in committee reports. Drafts, summarizes, and edits findings and provides feedback to appropriate parties. Prepares program materials for review and dissemination and assists with review response. Ensures edits are included in program materials. Creates bibliographies, graphics, and tables for program materials.

3. Data, References, and Records Management

Manages and maintains bibliographic and analytical databases, including databases used to track references. Documents and establishes files on analyses performed, indicating methodology, variations in manipulation of data, and resource materials used. May ensure Governing Board Executive Committee (GBEC) compliance. Ensures Current Projects System (CPS) is posted and updated in a timely manner, the Public Access File is maintained, and documents are properly archived.

4. Committee, Meeting, and Workshop Support

Conducts discussions with various officials, academics, allied groups, and staff. Participates in selecting literature for committee members, forum and workshop participants, and other applicable groups to receive through mailings, briefing books, and meetings. Attends meetings to present and receive feedback regarding study area and prepares meeting summaries. Participates in the planning and execution of committee meetings and performs other tasks associated with preparing for committee meetings and workshops. Corresponds with committee members. May assist senior staff in researching and identifying potential speakers and committee and forum members.

5. External Relations and Public Awareness

Responds to inquiries from the public sector, sponsors, and other scientific peers outside of the National Academies. Increases public awareness of programmatic work. Identifies and contacts professional and advocacy groups interested in the committee's work.

6. Staff Support, Training, and Supervision

Serves as a mentor and/or resource to employees. May be responsible for training and supervising junior staff.

NONESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

Related duties and special projects as assigned.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Ability to solve intellectual problems of appreciable variety and complexity using originality and ingenuity. Ability to exercise appreciable latitude for independent judgment and action. Experience working in complex environments with a high degree of organizational effectiveness. Ability to work successfully in a team environment. Ability to develop relationships with co-workers and employees in other National Academies' departments through effective communication. Excellent written and verbal skills with a proven ability to effectively interact with all levels of employees.

Minimum Education/Training Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent knowledge.

Minimum Experience:

Two years of related professional experience.

Preferred Education and Experience:

Master's degree in a related field.

Physical Capabilities:

Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time. Ability to travel.

Required Licenses, Certification or Registration:

None.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Controls:

Reports to senior program officer. Sets objectives with supervisor.

Work Environment:

Hybrid Office/Telecommute environment, expected onsite percentage 60%, with occasional travel between National Academies’ facilities and to off-site meeting/sponsor locations.

Compensation & Benefits:

An estimated compensation range for this position is $58,700 - $73,370.

Compensation offered to the selected candidate will be based on the candidate’s relevant knowledge, skills, and work experience, commensurate with compensation of current employees in comparable positions with similar knowledge, skills, and work experience, and subject to budget parameters. Note it is not typical for a candidate to be hired at the higher end of the range. This is a benefits-eligible position. Our Benefits Plan offers competitive and comprehensive benefit options, including medical, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement and savings benefits, leave benefits such as paid holidays and paid personal leave, transportation subsidies, and education assistance.

Any qualification to be considered equivalent, in lieu of stated minimum, requires the prior approval of the Office of Human Resources. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Some functions in this description may be specific to a particular unit of the National Academies and not applicable to other units.

Job Family:

PROG Employee Type: Employee Scheduled Weekly Hours: 37.5 City/State: Washington, District of Columbia

Welcome! The National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and National Academy of Medicine work together as the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering,and Medicine to provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation and conduct other activities to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions.

The National Academies: An Overview

The National Academies also encourage education and research, recognize outstanding contributions to knowledge, and increase public understanding in matters of science, engineering, and medicine.

View our Publications: The National Academies Press

Questions Submitting Your Application:

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EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

It is the policy of the National Academies to recruit, hire, transfer, compensate, and promote people in all job categories and to administer all other personnel actions, terms and conditions of employment in a manner that is consistent with equal employment, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, disability, medical condition for which a person has been rehabilitated or cured, marital status, family responsibilities, genetic information, political affiliation, personal appearance, matriculation, unemployment status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. It is also the institution's policy to recruit, hire, promote, and provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and covered veterans who are otherwise qualified.