The Social Marketing and Communication (SMC) department within FHI 360โs U.S. Programs is a national leader in applying science-based approaches to social marketing and communication to address public health and other challenges in the U.S. SMC currently implements a diverse portfolio of social marketing, public relations, communication, and training and technical assistance projects in the U.S. that are funded by the US Department of Health and Human Services, other government agencies, private associations, and foundations. In the past decade, our team has worked on issues such as diabetes, nutrition, physical activity, obesity prevention, immunizations, emergency and pandemic preparedness, cancer, sexual health, HIV/AIDS, and access to health care. Samples of our work can be viewed at the SMC gallery.
Job Summary:
This Research Associate II will perform a variety of applied quantitative and qualitative communication research and evaluation activities across multiple studies focusing on U.S. populations and/or U.S. programs and supervised by senior research staff. Priority responsibilities include drafting research and evaluation plans, developing data collection instruments, drafting human subjects protection protocols, implementing and managing qualitative and quantitative data collection, conducting data analysis of primary and secondary data, and reporting on research and evaluation research studies. Data collection methods include online surveys, performance metrics/online analytics, in-depth interviews, focus groups, content analyses, media scans, environmental scans, and literature reviews. This role requires the ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects and manage competing deadlines. Strong teamwork, analytic, and writing skills are required. This position is focused exclusively on the departmentโs domestic (U.S.) portfolio.
Technical Responsibilities:
Conducts environmental scans and literature reviews with minimal guidance from senior staff including drafting search criteria, reviewing potential articles/content, and writing a summary of key findings that includes identifying research gaps and opportunities.
Collaborates on the development of study documents, including drafting research plans, informed consent forms, data collection tools, and sections of human subjects protection study protocols.
Tabulates, interprets, and reports on web and social media metrics, as well as other media and market research data.
Programs simple to moderately complex online surveys.
Obtains, merges, cleans, programs, and manages quantitative datasets.
Conducts basic descriptive and inferential analyses using statistical software with minimal oversight, and more sophisticated analyses under the supervision of senior staff.
Develops tables, charts, and graphs to support data understanding and interpretation.
Manages and coordinates implementation of qualitative data collection including in-depth interview and focus group studies.
Conducts qualitative data management and analysis.
Leads the development of qualitative codebooks; applies codes consistently to transcripts using application software; may train/lead a team of staff to ensure consistent coding; writes code summaries and coding memos.
Contributes to the development of applied quantitative and qualitative research and evaluation reports, drafting content for sections including background, methods, results, and conclusions and implications.
Applied Knowledge & Skills:
Knowledge of and experience with statistical software (e.g., SPSS, SAS) to manage data and conduct descriptive and inferential analyses. Knowledge of and experience with qualitative software (e.g., NVIVO).
Experience analyzing and interpreting data, identifying errors, and preparing reports.
Experience programming surveys for electronic data collection, including those using web-based software applications (e.g., Qualtrics).
Familiarity with data visualization software (e.g., Tableau, Microsoft Power BI) preferred.
Familiarity with interactive dashboard creation and geographic information systems software (e.g., ArcGIS) preferred.
Experience with and applied knowledge of one or more of the following topic areas is preferred: diabetes, nutrition, physical activity, or chronic disease prevention and management.
Applied knowledge of concepts, practices, and procedures for conducting research studies under federal government regulations is preferred.
Adept at Microsoft Office applications including Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
Strong communication skills and ability to read, write, and speak fluent English.
Ability to read, write, and speak Spanish preferred.
Project Management/Coordination
Manages communications with the study team, sites, and vendors.
Coordinates research activities with local research partners.
Tracks study progress and timelines; identifies and communicates potential problems and is responsible for appropriate escalation and resolution.
Contributes to subaward/subcontract development and monitoring; reviews and tracks invoices and payments; manages procurement and consultant contracts.
Supports the financial administration of project.
Contributes to new business development efforts.
Mentors junior research staff.
Problem Solving & Impact:
Demonstrates good judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions.
Works well with and is comfortable reaching out to senior internal and external personnel and resources.
Demonstrates an understanding of the importance and value of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
Supervision Given/Received:
Normally receives little instruction on day-to-day work and works autonomously when provided general instructions on new assignments.
Typically reports to a Research Manager/Associate Director/Director.
Education:
Bachelor's Degree or its international equivalent in public health, health, behavioral, life, or social sciences, or other fields related fields.
Masterโs Degree preferred.
Experience:
Typically requires 5+ years of research or evaluation experience.
Experience working on studies in varied contexts or on various topics.
Prior experience working in a non-profit or a non-governmental organization preferred.
Typical Physical Demands:
Ability to work in a typical office environment or from a personal work environment where all job responsibilities can be accomplished in a timely and professional manner.
Ability to spend multiple hours looking at computer screen and doing repetitive work on a keyboard.
Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.
Ability to lift/move up to 5 lbs.
Technology to be Used:
Personal Computer/Laptop, Microsoft applications (i.e., Office 365 and SharePoint), cell phone/mobile technology, and standard office equipment.
Statistical software likely to include SPSS, SAS.
Qualitative software likely to include NVIVO.
Data visualization software likely to include Microsoft Power BI and Tableau.
Survey programming applications likely to include Qualtrics.
GIS software may include ArcGIS.
Travel Requirements:
Less than 10%
The expected hiring salary range for this role is listed below. FHI 360 pay ranges represent national averages that vary by geographic location. When determining an offer amount, FHI 360 factors in multiple considerations, including but not limited to: relevant years of experience and education possessed by the applicant, internal equity, business sector, and budget.
Base salary is only one component of our offer. FHI 360 contributes 12% of monthly base pay to a money purchase pension plan account. Additionally, all US based staff working full-time, which is calculated at 40 hours/week, receive 18 days of paid vacation per year, 12 sick days per year, and 11 holidays per year. Paid time off is reduced pro rata for employees working less than a full-time schedule.
Hiring Salary Range: $65,000 - $90,000
This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.
FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.
Our values and commitments to safeguarding: FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicantsโ previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment during the applicantโs tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.
FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.
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