Senior Research Analyst , Center for Universal Education

Overview

Join one of the most influential, most quoted and most trusted think tanks!

The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to conduct in-depth research that leads to new ideas for solving problems facing society at the local, national and global level.

We bring together leading experts in government and academia from all over the world, rooted in open-minded inquiry and representing diverse points of view, who provide the highest quality research, policy recommendations, and analysis. Research topics cover a full range of public policy issues in economics, foreign policy, development, governance and metropolitan policy.

With fair and transparent business practices, clear communication, mutual respect, and a collaborative atmosphere that offers both professional and personal development opportunities, Brookings offers an inclusive and welcoming workplace that values the efforts of all contributors.

The Global Economy and Development program at Brookings aims to shape the policy debate on how to improve global economic cooperation and fight global poverty and sources of social stress.

Founded in 2002, the Center for Universal Education (CUE) is a leading policy center focused on universal quality education and skills development around the world. The center plays a critical role in accelerating education change so that all learners can thrive in a rapidly changing world. CUE helps inform the development of policy related to global education and promotes actionable strategies for governments, civil society, and private enterprise.

This is a one-year term position, renewable contingent on funding.

Position Location: This position is hybrid. Hybrid positions combine regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC, office with the option of at least two days of remote work each week.

Vaccine Policy: Brookings requires allstaffand visitorsto submit proof ofcompletevaccination against COVID-19to bein Brookingsbuildings.

Individuals that(i) havea qualifying medical condition that contraindicates a COVID-19 vaccination, or (ii) who object to being vaccinated based on a sincerely held religious belief, may request a reasonable accommodation. Brookings policies on masks and other pandemic mitigation measures will continue to be informed by DC and CDC guidelines.

Responsibilities
Ready to contribute to Brookings success?

CUE is seeking a Senior Research Analyst to support the Family Engagement project and team, which builds research and practice in family-school engagement with the ultimate goal of promoting transformation of education systems. (See www.brookings.edu/familyengagement for more information about the research).

The Senior Research Analyst will support the Family Engagement team by providing research, writing, data and statistical analysis to support greater and more impactful family-school collaboration in diverse communities and contexts. The Senior Research Analyst will help ensure research data are used to inform efforts to transform educational policies and systems and to better reach and serve learners and their families. Expectations include ability to: perform analysis with limited supervision; deliver high quality output in a timely manner; participate in the development, dissemination and presentation of research findings; willingness to assist in the organization of meetings, events, and other administrative tasks as needed.

Research Support and Analysis (80%)

• Participates in and coordinates the team's collaborative research projects on family engagement around the world, including in the research design, implementation, visualization, and writing processes.
• Conducts literature reviews and policy analysis on family-school-community engagement through document review and content analysis. Track and monitor current events, policy analysis papers, and government activities as they pertain to the research topic.
• Co-leads pilot and data collection teams, including supporting the development of guidance, trainings, tools, communication flow, and other critical aspects.
• Conducts and co-leads empirical quantitative and qualitative research using methods such as: survey analysis, interviews, and focus group discussions.
• Supports development and refinement processes for quantitative and qualitative tools, and helps program surveys (using survey software).
• Analyses quantitative data (ideally using SPSS or R) and qualitative data (ideally with Atlas.ti or other software).
• Creates tables, graphs, and other data visualizations that clearly communicate research findings, and helps contribute data to workshop presentations, publications, website and other public dissemination of findings.
• Drafts high quality working papers, policy briefs, blogs, publications (i.e. Playbook) and presentations based on data and research.
• Drafts methodology language for new research endeavors and proposal.
• Supports Family engagement team with drafting, editing and proof reading of research reports, policy briefs, articles, blogs, and other published materials as well as unpublished documents.
• Assists with implementing and updating the monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) plan, and ensuring data is collected effectively and timely towards the key performance indicators and outcomes.
• Supports global teams in the Family Engagement in Education Network and beyond on data analysis and research.

Research Coordination and Project Support (20%)

• Collaborates and corresponds with local researchers, practitioners, and policy actors.
• Supports the Research Assistants on MEL duties.
• Reviews and coordinates work with consultants and partner organizations as needed to advance project.
• Participates in learning and dissemination (may include travel).
• Participates in weekly CUE and Family Engagement team meetings.
• Supports preparation of grant implementation progress reports and tracking of impact of activities.
• Works with the program's online and digital content specialist to oversee content of project-specific web pages and publications.
• Maintains relevant project databases and research files.
• Other coordination and support duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Ready to make an impact? In this role, you will support Brookings values of collegiality, respect, inclusion, diversity and community, and bring the following qualifications:

Education/Experience Requirements:

Bachelor's degree required. Master's Degree in Education, Sociology, Data Science, Educational Psychology, International Relations/Development/Affairs, or related social science field strongly preferred. Minimum of two years of relevant research experience preferred (quantitative and qualitative research). Experience with fast-paced research, research-practitioner partnerships, professional learning networks or learning communities are especially encouraged to apply. Portuguese language proficiency required, experience working in Brazil highly preferred.

Knowledge/Skills Requirements:

Strong knowledge, work experience, and established interest in US- and North America-based Family Engagement in diverse communities and contexts. Demonstrated interest in systems transformation and strong potential for policy impact. Strong written, research, and oral communications skills required; high functionality in Microsoft Office software package and proven expertise in statistical software such as SPSS, R, Stata, SAS, required. Must be able to present research work in a cogent style consistent with standards for Brookings and the field. Ability to meet rapid, multiple deadlines in a fast-paced work environment. Professional demeanor, high level of comfort working in a culturally-diverse environment, and with high-profile individuals from academic, policy, corporate, government, and international circles. Ability to work well under pressure with discretion and mature judgment.

Successful candidate should be creative, flexible, adaptable, and open to engaging in iterative and co-constructed research with others. Excellent data collection, analysis and synthesis, and writing skills, and ability to work interpedently and in teams in the research process. Must have capacity to connect details and data and bring them to a larger conversation and help make data and research understandable to decisionmaker and policymaker audiences, and responsive to their needs and contexts. Outstanding oral and written communication skills. Works well under multiple deadlines in a fast-paced work environment. Has strong professional judgement and cultural-capacity in working with working with diverse groups of practitioners, researchers, and policy makers from multiple country contexts, including those with high-level roles. Knowledge of and keen interest in family engagement is desired, as well as knowledge of Brazil.

Additional Information:

What can we offer you? Brookings provides a generous benefit package that is comprehensive and includes both traditional benefits and unique offerings.

Brookings requires that all applicants submit a cover letter and resume. Please attach your cover letter and resume as one document when you apply. Please note: if you have applied to more than one Brookings job opening you should add a position-specific cover letter as a separate attachment.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for employment at Brookings.

Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms. We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, first generation college goers, and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace.

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