Title: Assistant Director, Research
& Evaluation Unit
Division: Core
FLSA: Exempt
Supervisor: Eric Wat,
R&E Director
Summary
Special Service for Groups (SSG) is a multi-service nonprofit agency
currently operating over 20 programs primarily in Los Angeles County. Under its Research & Evaluation (R&E)
unit, SSG provides various forms of training, technical assistance and
capacity-building related to research and evaluation for SSG programs and our
community partners, including other community-based organizations, schools,
clinics/hospitals, and funders. Under the direction of the R&E Unit
Director, the Assistant Director is responsible for conducting trainings and
providing individualized technical assistance, as well as guiding R&E team
members in providing research, evaluation and capacity building services. The
tasks, duties and responsibilities of the job include, but are not limited to,
the following:
Essential Functions
- · Provide technical assistance to local nonprofits and SSG programs on community-based participatory research, program evaluation, and organizational development.
- · Design and conduct community trainings and workshops around program design, evaluation and community-based research.
- · Provide guidance to R&E team members to ensure successful completion of projects, including creating spaces for reflection and identifying opportunities for staff development.
- · Develop and maintain relationships with peers in the field of capacity building, community based research, and program evaluation.
- · Develop and maintain relationships with other service providers and organizations that serve the agency's targeted communities.
- · Identify and pursue opportunities for business development, including but not limited to writing proposals, developing initiatives and projects, and meeting with funders.
- · Support R&E Unit Director in the long-term planning and development of Unit.
- · Facilitate focus groups, interviews and other methods of data collection in communities.
- · Present research results to community groups, elected officials and SSG staff.
- · Conduct secondary research to identify data and literature relevant to SSG agencies and partners, including the use of online, academic, library, Census and community resources.
· Represent the
agency in a variety of community settings including funder, provider and community
meetings, and major events.
·
Assist with
management of daily operation of R&E, as needed.
Secondary Functions
·
Support the
planning and development of SSG as a whole: Work collaboratively with SSG Development
Team and other Core units.
·
Participate in
the development, writing, and production of research publications, as well as distribution
and dissemination.
·
Perform data
requests for SSG agencies and its partners.
·
Collect
additional information from SSG programs and partners (including staff,
volunteers and clients) to generate policies in support of SSG agencies and
partners.
·
Other duties as
assigned.
Minimum Qualifications -
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required
·
Master's degree
or higher in a professional field, especially in Urban Planning, Public Policy,
and Public Administration.
·
Minimum of 5
years’ experience in conducting research and evaluation in Los Angeles or similar communities.
·
Minimum of 2
years’ experience in project management, including guiding staff in completing
deliverables in a timely and professional manner.
·
Knowledge of
Appreciative Inquiry, community-based participatory research (CBPR),
empowerment evaluation and other research/evaluation approaches.
·
Knowledge and
practice of effective and creative communication styles to maintain team
morale, including active listening, conflict mediation, and openness to new
ideas.
·
Familiarity with
strategic planning, organizational development, and business development.
·
Good writing and
editing skills are essential.
·
Knowledge of and
ability to work with low-income or racially diverse communities, including
residents and CBO staff of diverse cultures, languages and educational
backgrounds.
·
Ability to work
independently and coordinate work with others, as well as ability to provide
guidance to staff.
·
Ability to
facilitate inclusive decision-making processes.
·
Proficient skills
in use of Internet, MS Word, and MS Excel.
·
Knowledge of Southern California non-profits, community-based
organizations and funders.
·
Possess a valid California driver’s
license, reliable transportation, and appropriate automobile insurance.
·
Background check
and proof of employment eligibility required.
·
Regular
attendance.
Non-Essential
Qualifications - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
§
Ability to speak
and write fluently in languages other than English.
§
Knowledge and
experience in using MS PowerPoint, InDesign, etc.
§
Knowledge and
experience in using data analysis software, especially SPSS, Atlas.ti, and
MAXQDA.
§
Knowledge of
nonprofit management and philanthropic/funding trends.
§
Ability to
perform duties on some weekday, evenings, and weekend days when required.
Supervisory
Responsibilities
This
position will support R&E Director in supervising staff and maintaining
team morale.
Environmental Conditions
(Working Conditions)
This
position takes place primarily in the SSG/Research and Evaluation office and in
the field (including Los Angeles
and surrounding Counties).
The position requires primarily sitting and working at a
computer workstation, including reading and typing. This position requires driving.
Mental Requirements
The
position requires the ability to process and analyze information from multiple
sources and to articulate the significance of that information. This position also requires the ability to
work independently and prioritize in order to meet deadlines. The position requires work schedule that is
responsive to the needs of research participants.