Header

Research Director

10:32:00 AM

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is the nation’s first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Founded in 2004 by Iraq veterans, IAVA is a young, dynamic nonprofit with over 200,000 veteran members and grassroots supporters in 50 states. We're building the next greatest generation with a three-pronged model based on advocacy, awareness, and assistance. IAVA is winning major battles in Congress (like the GI Bill), helping thousands of veterans nationwide, and making national headlines daily (like CNN, New York Times, NPR). IAVA has a hard-earned reputation for accurate data and thoughtful analysis on a breadth of policy issues facing veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan and their families.

The Research Director will lead the development of the organization’s short and long-term research plan and policy recommendations on veterans’ issues in collaboration with the Chief Policy Officer. S/he will also lead a small staff of research professionals that provides rapid-response and best-in-class research to members of the media, Capitol Hill, policy makers, and other departments within the organization.

The Research Director will work closely with the Chief Policy Officer to define the most urgent issues facing new veterans and ensure that IAVA’s policy recommendations and external materials are grounded in rigorous, nonpartisan research and analysis. S/he will be the lead author of IAVA’s policy materials, which are often cited by the media and used extensively on Capitol Hill, including the only monthly analysis of relevant unemployment and suicide rates.

The Research Director will also be responsible for growing IAVA’s presence within academia and research institutions and manage a growing research staff. This is the ideal position for a research professional wishing to join an energetic, highly visible team, helping win important battles on Capitol Hill and around the country.

The Research Director will report to IAVA’s Chief Policy Officer.

Responsibilities:

  • Develop IAVA’s short and long-term research plan and policy recommendations in coordination with Chief Policy Officer.
  • Ensure IAVA has the most up-to-date and accurate data, information and ideas about issues impacting new veterans.
  • Conduct primary and secondary research of issues facing new veterans and conceptualize, write and edit IAVA's Issue Reports, blogs, white papers and other research documents.
  • Oversee production, fielding and analysis of IAVA’s member surveys.
  • Work closely with Chief Policy Officer to develop IAVA's annual Policy Agenda.
  • Manage outside vendors to produce and distribute research materials.
  • Manage a staff of 1-3 research professionals.
  • Work with other IAVA departments and Executive Director to promote IAVA's research materials.


Qualifications

Experience Required:

  • Four + years experience in public policy research or a related field.
  • Experience managing, from conception to completion, at least one major publication or research project.
  • Advanced degree (such as MPP, MPA or JD) preferred.
  • Experience working with veterans’ issues and/or for a nonprofit or think-tank a plus.
  • Experience presenting complex materials in a creative, clear, and concise manner.
  • Media experience (especially on-the-record) a plus.
  • Experience managing a small team.

Skills Required:

  • Impeccable writing and editing for numerous audiences, both internal and external to the organization.
  • Excellent project management skills, including the ability to manage tight timelines, simultaneous projects, and intern and external colleagues and team.
  • Superior research design and implementation skills.
  • Strong analytical thinking.
  • Quantitative and qualitative survey design and analysis.
  • Teaching skills.
  • Organizational and management skills.
  • A dedication to quality – perfectionists welcome.
  • A commitment to IAVA’s mission and core values.
  • A sense of humor.

Contact Details

Contact:
Michael Houston
Telephone:
212-982-9699
Email:
hiring@iava.org

Application Instructions

To Apply: Send your resume, cover letter and 2-3 page writing sample to hiring@iava.org, with your name and "Research Director" in the subject line.

Include a cover letter that concisely explains how your experience could be applied to IAVA. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. No phone calls, please.

IAVA is an equal opportunity employer; VETERANS OF THE CONFLICTS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.

Post a Comment