Baltimore, MD

The Organization
The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Research, Evaluation and Learning unit (REAL) develops and manages a wide range of activities related to research, evaluation, performance management, development and use of data systems and organizational learning. The Senior Research Associate will be the lead REAL staff person on a number of research and evaluation projects related to human service system reform and will collaborate with other REAL Team members to support and advance our work around performance management, data development and organizational learning.

Reporting to the Director of Research and Evaluation, the Senior Research Associate will lead research and evaluation efforts related to Juvenile Justice system reform and work closely with REAL colleagues to promote collaboration and integration of research and evaluation activities in the areas of Child Welfare, Evidence Based Practice, Family Economic Success, Community Change, Policy Reform and Leadership Development.

Position Overview
Responsibilities
Fulfill Research and Evaluation functions, including:

• Working with program staff on evaluation prerequisites including logic model, theory of change and evaluation plan development.
• Advocate and secure Program Team resources and support for evaluation-related activities including support for grantee evaluation capacity.
• Initiating and managing evaluability assessments of Foundation investments in programs, system reform, influence and capacity building initiatives.
• Initiating and managing third-party comprehensive evaluations (including process, cost and outcome studies) of complex, multi-site policy reform and program initiatives.
• Building the capacity of Foundation grantees, partners and staff to constructively participate in the evaluation process and utilize evaluation products and services.
• Collaborating with Senior Research Associates who lead Child Welfare, Family Economic Success and Community Change research evaluation, in order to maximize opportunities for cross-project learning.

Support and promote REAL’s unit-wide work by:

• Collaborating with REAL staff in advancing the Unit-wide goals and strategies.
• Collaborating with REAL staff and consultants in projects designed to increase the diversity and cultural competence of researchers and evaluators in Casey’s fields of interest.
• Collaborating with REAL staff and colleagues to promote development of public data resources that support research, evaluation and performance management.
• Collaborating with the Senior Associate for Performance Management to operationalize and monitor performance measures for Casey portfolios.
• Collaborating with the Senior Associate for Knowledge Management to develop a Foundation-wide Learning Agenda designed to improve our practice as program officers and managers.

Promote data-driven, research-based decision making across the Foundation by:

• Representing REAL in work groups and advisory committees, meetings and site visits.
• Collaborating with colleagues as a Research and Evaluation advisor, technical assistance provider and thought partner.
• Contributing to the field of Research and Evaluation by representing the Foundation in Research and Evaluation meetings, conferences and networks and connecting the Foundation to promising practices and resources in the field.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Qualifications

• REAL seeks candidates who have a minimum of ten years of increasingly responsible experience in research and evaluation, with particular interest in foundation, public sector, or non-profit settings and demonstrated interest and expertise in the evaluation of human service systems reform and related activities.
• An advanced degree in a field relevant to the Foundation’s work is expected. In addition, the ideal candidate should combine: Ph.D. preferred or equivalent experience in any of the following areas: Criminal Justice, Psychology,  Public Policy, Public Health, Mental Health, Social Psychology, Sociology, Economics, Social Work or related fields.
• Experience in managing complex, multi-year projects involving multiple contractors and stakeholders.
• Experience working with public human service systems such as State or County Juvenile Justice systems.
• Demonstrated leadership in the field of study including publications or scientific journals and presentations at national research and evaluation conferences.
• Familiarity and practice of AEA cultural competence framework http://www.eval.org/ccstatement

Essential Skills, Knowledge Orientation
Technical Skills and Knowledge:

• Exceptional oral and written communication skills, with particular expertise in communicating research findings, data and issues to non-research audiences.
• Strong quantitative and/or qualitative research skills and experience with mixed methods.
• Substantive knowledge and expertise in relevant areas such as juvenile justice, human service systems practice and policy.

Organizational Skills:

• Ability to prioritize among multiple competing demands in a manner consistent with the REAL mission of promoting data-driven, research-based decision making in the Foundation and the field.
• Sound and seasoned judgment, including a demonstrated capacity to both support and lead among Foundation leaders, senior researchers, policy makers, consumers and advocates.
• Organizational, analytical and planning skills that can sustain the multi-faceted work of complicated initiatives, as well as the specific activities of individual grantees and sites.

Professional Orientation:

• A results-based orientation that prioritizes the timely delivery of tangible, high-quality research and evaluation products and services to the Foundation and the field.
• Commitment to increasing diversity and cultural competence in the field of Research and Evaluation.
• Flexibility, adaptability and strong sense of individual and collective responsibility.
• Tools and Equipment UsedMicrosoft Office Suite, smart phones, copy machine, fax machine.

Work Environment:

• The work is performed primarily in an office setting with approximately 20 percent travel required.

Compensation:
This is an exempt position, meaning pay is on a salaried rather than hourly or daily basis. Starting salary is commensurate with experience and earnings history. A strong benefits package will be provided as well.