What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Associate position at United Way of the Midlands?
Organization: United Way of the Midlands
Job Title: Research Associate
Department: Strategy
FLSA Status: Part-time, Non-exempt
Location: Omaha, NE (on-site)
About United Way of the Midlands:
Since 1923, United Way of the Midlands (UWM) has served the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro by bringing together the business, government and not-for-profit sectors and raising money to support our community’s most impactful health and human service programs. UWM’s funded programs and direct services – including JAG Nebraska, 211 and the Weatherization Assistance Program – focus on four key areas to improve health and well-being for all, build financial stability and strength, help young people realize their full potential and address urgent needs today to advance a better tomorrow. At United Way, we are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to bring their unique perspectives and experiences to the table.
UWM’s Mission:
United Way of the Midlands UNITES our community’s CARING SPIRIT to build a STRONGER tomorrow.
Guiding Principles:
At United Way of the Midlands, we…
Job Title: Research Associate
Department: Strategy
FLSA Status: Part-time, Non-exempt
Location: Omaha, NE (on-site)
About United Way of the Midlands:
Since 1923, United Way of the Midlands (UWM) has served the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro by bringing together the business, government and not-for-profit sectors and raising money to support our community’s most impactful health and human service programs. UWM’s funded programs and direct services – including JAG Nebraska, 211 and the Weatherization Assistance Program – focus on four key areas to improve health and well-being for all, build financial stability and strength, help young people realize their full potential and address urgent needs today to advance a better tomorrow. At United Way, we are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to bring their unique perspectives and experiences to the table.
UWM’s Mission:
United Way of the Midlands UNITES our community’s CARING SPIRIT to build a STRONGER tomorrow.
Guiding Principles:
At United Way of the Midlands, we…
- Build TRUST in everything we do.
- Extend GRACE by thinking beyond ourselves.
- Show GRIT by bringing it everyday.
- Be OPEN to embracing others’ differences.
- Actively ENGAGE by listening and sharing.
- Live CURIOUSLY to learn constantly.
Research Associate Summary:
The Research Associate will report to the Chief Strategy Officer and play a pivotal role in the organization’s research efforts. The primary focus of the role is to explore the nonprofit landscape—examining formation, longevity, financial health, and other key factors—with the goal of providing nonprofit leaders, funders, and stakeholders with actionable insights to strengthen and sustain the charitable network. Drawing on publicly available datasets, the Research Associate conduct descriptive and advanced statistical analyses and develops compelling visualizations to illuminate critical trends. The Research Associate will also collaborate with UWM’s Finance team and existing research staff to integrate internal data, ensuring a well-rounded view of the sector. Through this work, the Research Associate will directly contribute to UWM’s broader mission of fostering a thriving and impactful nonprofit community, and they will be recognized for their contributions to the final research products.
Responsibilities:
Responsibilities:
- Secures publicly available data sets from trustworthy and reliable sources.
- Examines peer-reviewed and professional literature to contextualize sector trends.
- Works with the Strategy and Finance teams to establish metrics for evaluating nonprofit sustainability and financial health.
- Performs both descriptive and comparative analyses against identified benchmarks.
- Summarizes key findings through maps, charts, graphs, and concise written summaries; Research Associate will receive credit for their contributions.
- Strengthens UWM’s overall statistical acumens by sharing new methods and best practices.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
- This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.
Required Skills and Abilities:
- Knowledge of and experience with professional/academic research standards.
- Insatiable curiosity and a desire to impact our community.
- Well-versed in conducting quantitative research.
- Experience or coursework focused on data analysis, statistics and/or FinTech.
- Proficient in advanced Excel, Word and Outlook functions and automation.
- Skilled in conducting stakeholder interviews, literature reviews, and qualitative coding.
- Proficiency in R, Python, SQL, Oracle, Power BI, Tableau, SPSS, or mapping tools is a plus.
- Ability to synthesize a large volume of information including the ability to interpret data.
- Willingness to work collaboratively with other researchers to create a cohesive team product.
- Attention to detail and ownership of contributions.
- Critical thinking and time management skills.
- Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
- Driving is an essential function of this position.
Education and Experience:
- Master's degree required.
- Senior college standing, graduate or PhD student with a background in statistics, fintech, business administration, data science or related field.
Physical Requirements:
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Benefits:
- Paid holidays
How to Apply:
Please submit your cover letter and resume to resume@UWMidlands.org.
United Way of the Midlands is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
Please submit your cover letter and resume to resume@UWMidlands.org.
United Way of the Midlands is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
