Senior Research Associate

ABOUT US:

Illinois Action for Children (“IAFC”), a local, state, and national leader in the early childhood care and education sector for over 50 years. IAFC programs, services, and advocacy improve learning and life outcomes for children and families, including reducing the effects of poverty. IAFC works to ensure that every child in Illinois – particularly those in need – have access to the necessary resources to succeed in school and in life.

Along with our mission, IAFC is committed to building and maintaining a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist culture. We are dedicated to this pledge through our hiring practices and our focus on creating a culture and environment where diverse perspectives, ideas, and identities are valued and integrated into our way of working and servicing our staff and clients. IAFC staff represent a wide diversity of racial, socio-economic, gender, religious, and national identities. We welcome all applicants who share our mission and vision to join us in our essential work.

SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Director of Research, the Research Associate conducts program and policy research, program evaluation, qualitative and quantitative data collection and management to support Illinois Action for Children’s program implementation and inform the development of program and public policy. The Research Associate collaborates within the Research and Policy teams and with other departments and organizations to assist or lead in the development and production of data sets, fact sheets, web data, presentations, and reports. Often the Research Associate must work on several projects at once. All work is to be completed with minimum supervision and in accordance with Company standards.

This incumbent will be expected to promote and adhere to the workplace core capabilities of: accountability, customer focus, continuous quality improvement (CQI), communication, competent people and clear priorities. All work to be completed with minimum supervision and in accordance with organizational standards.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to the following. The organization reserves the right to add to, delete, change, or modify the essential duties and responsibilities at any time.

1. In collaboration with the Research team, design, conduct, and report qualitative research and evaluation for Illinois Action for Children on its programs, city and state programs and policies, and population of interest.
2. Develop or assist in developing qualitative data collection tools, such as protocols for surveys, focus groups, and interviews, and databases.
3. Follow protocols in collecting and storing data and protecting confidential data.
4. Analyze qualitative data using appropriate methods and tools.
5. Report qualitative findings in written reports, presentations, webpages, factsheets, and other communications in a style appropriate to Illinois Action for Children’s multiple audiences, including agency staff, the public, customers, parents, child care and early education providers, policy makers, and advocates.
6. Develop detailed working knowledge of Illinois Action for Children’s programs, and the related programs of their local, state, federal and community partners.
7. As needed, conduct and report descriptive quantitative analysis of data sets such as program data sets, census data, and supports research team in this work.
8. Assist Research team and Public Policy and Advocacy team in designing rigorous and relevant policy research.
9. Execute our workplace core capabilities of: accountability, customer focus, continuous quality improvement (CQI), communication, competent people, and clear priorities.
10. Other Functions: The organization may assign other functions to the job at its discretion.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

Minimum Bachelor's degree and five years related research experience and/or training in databases, statistical packages, data visualization. Graduate degree in a relevant field of study or several years of research experience is preferred.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to concentrate on research projects and data accurately for extended periods of time. The position might requires effectively manipulating large data sets and being able to check and correct work.
• Ability to be flexible in adjusting project timelines as circumstances demand.
• Ability to communicate research to non-specialists at a range of levels, from individual facts and details to high-level planning.
• Ability to develop professional understanding of the Illinois Child Care Assistance Program; the referral program and database (DTP); the child care and early learning system in Illinois; Illinois Action for Children departments; Illinois, Cook County and Chicago governments; and partners of Illinois Action for Children.

Benefits of Working at IAFC:

• Working with passionate team members that are driven by our Mission: Illinois Action for Children is a catalyst for organizing, developing and supporting strong families and powerful communities where children matter most.
• We strive to foster and implement a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion across our organization. We know it is not only critical to the success of diversity initiatives - but instrumental in creating an unbiased and inclusive workplace! It not only relates to the diverse clients we serve but also creates a positive employee experience.
• We offer an extensive benefits package that adds value to your total compensation. Our benefits include:

• Health, dental and vision insurance plans with company contribution of 95% for single coverage
• 401k with company match
• Generous PTO – first year-23 days, the second year-28 days, the third year and on - 35 days
• 11 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible Spending Account
• STD & LTD insurance
• Company paid Life Insurance

Office Location: Chicago - Uptown Area

Salary: Yearly/$58,200

Illinois Action for Children is EEO/M/F/V/D employer

While we desire for this job posting to be comprehensive, all aspects of the position may be amended at any time at the discretion of IAFC including job duties, work location and/or work schedule.

As established by the Illinois Action for Children Board of Directors, all employees are required to receive a vaccination against COVID-19, unless a medical or religious reasonable accommodation is approved. If offered a job, the candidate must be able to prove that they have been vaccinated with one of the CDC-authorized vaccines, including either Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson / Janssen.