Research Scientist - International / Democracy, Rights & Governance Research

NORC at the University of Chicago seeks a Research Scientist to support project work in the International Programs Department (INPRO.) The Research Scientist will play a lead or supporting role in designing and implementing research projects and data collection and analysis activities. Particularly, s/he will work closely with NORCs senior project directors and researchers on various tasks related to NORCs international democracy, human rights, and governance (DRG) including performance and impact evaluations, other auxiliary research, and survey projects. Substantial involvement in projects outside of the DRG area is also possible.

Applicants must be based in the United States. NORC recognizes that talented and skilled researchers live throughout the U.S. and actively supports remote work arrangements.

As a condition of employment, all NORC employees and contractors - including those working remotely - must be fully vaccinated (as defined by current CDC guidance) against COVID-19.

INPRO was established in 2005, and works on impact and performance evaluations, surveys, and qualitative data collection, among other research activities throughout the developing world. Our research covers a range of sectors including education and training, child and youth well-being, democracy and governance, agriculture, water and sanitation, vulnerable populations, infrastructure, housing, finance, and health (applicants should clearly specify which sectors they have previous experience in). Since its establishment INPRO has implemented projects in nearly 90 countries throughout the world.

• Manage mixed methods evaluations, primary research and associated data collection.
• Lead or support the design and implementation of evaluation projects, monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) projects, and data collection and analysis activities.
• Oversee and liaise with consultants, academic experts, and local data collection firms.
• Lead or support the design of survey instruments and training materials, coordination of and assistance to interviewer training activities, and sample design and selection.
• Lead or support qualitative research and data collection.
• Conduct or oversee data quality reviews of survey data with detailed documentation of results, and analysis of primary and secondary data (quantitative and qualitative), including preparation of reports, memos, and tables/graphs of findings.
• Lead and/or support business development, contributing to technical sections; manage proposals, coordinating all components of a proposal, including identifying consultants and local subcontractors.
• Engage in external thought leadership activities.
• Participate in corporate-level initiatives.
• The position will require occasional international travel and offers an opportunity to gain first-hand management and field experience.

• Masters Degree in social sciences; training in quantitative and/or qualitative research methods.
• Experience with one or more of the following areas:
  • Political Participation and Leadership, especially of women
  • Anti-Corruption, Rule of Law, and Good Governance
  • Civil Society
  • Independent Media
  • Human Rights
  • Gender-Based Violence
• At least 7 years of work experience including:
  • Experience working on research and evaluation projects involving qualitative performance evaluation methods.
  • Experience working on research and evaluation projects involving quasi-experimental and experimental research design preferred.
  • Experience conducting surveys (questionnaire development, interviewer training, field management) and/or qualitative data collection (focus groups, key informant interviews).
  • Experience working with large quantitative datasets and/or qualitative data, and conducting data management, data quality review, and data analysis.
  • Experience managing research projects including development of workplans, tracking progress on specific tasks, and communicating deadlines to team members.
• Experience with USAID is a plus.
• Strong command of statistical packages, such as SPSS and STATA; and /or command of qualitative software packages such as NVivo.
• Strong proficiency with MS Office software, including Excel.
• Working proficiency with French or Spanish; fluency is a plus.
• Strong analytic and report writing skills.
• A strong foundation in statistics is a plus.
• Outstanding interpersonal and critical reasoning skills.
• International research experience, preferably in the global south.
• International travel will be required (as COVID-related travel restrictions ease).
• Qualified applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S. We regret that we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position.

NORC at the University of Chicago is an objective, non-partisan research institution that delivers reliable data and rigorous analysis to guide critical programmatic, business, and policy decisions. Since 1941, our teams have conducted groundbreaking studies, created and applied innovative methods and tools, and advanced principles of scientific integrity and collaboration. Today, government, corporate, and nonprofit clients around the world partner with us to transform increasingly complex information into useful knowledge.

For over 75 years, NORC has evolved in many ways, moving the needle with research methods, technical applications and groundbreaking research findings. But our tradition of excellence, passion for innovation, and commitment to collegiality have remained constant components of who we are as a brand, and who each of us is as a member of the NORC team. With world-class benefits, a business casual environment, and an emphasis on continuous learning, NORC is a place where people join for the stellar research and analysis work for which were known, and stay for the relationships they form with their colleagues who take pride in the impact their work is making on a global scale.

NORC is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer that values and actively seeks diversity in the workforce. NORC evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other legally- protected characteristics.