Impact Analyst

Impact Analyst

Make a Difference in Your Community!

The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago’s Research & Evaluation (R&E) team seeks an Impact Analyst to lead and support the impact measurement of a portfolio of evidence-based and measurable programs and initiatives throughout the Greater Chicagoland area. While the Evaluation team has been in existence since 2013, it was recently rebranded and now sits within the newly created Department for Community Investment & Social Responsibility. The team is responsible for driving cross-functional evaluation and impact measurement throughout the YMCA of Metro Chicago, in addition to knowledge transfer and dissemination via research efforts. This team spearheads association-wide evaluation and assessment to optimize the quality of programs and services provided at Y locations across Illinois, and at sites in Wisconsin and Michigan. The R&E team spearheads or supports a variety of research initiatives aimed at the Y’s essential services, which include, but are not limited to housing, food security, violence prevention, health equity, and economic empowerment. The Department’s leading goal is to raise the Y as the region’s leading nonprofit provider of high-quality, innovative programs and services while advancing equity and holistically healthy communities.

This position is accountable for leading and supporting monitoring and evaluation activities on a variety of projects, programs, and initiatives, with a heavy emphasis on activities within the Y’s Youth Development portfolio. This role will also aid in evaluation and research efforts within one or more of the Y’s essential services (i.e. housing, violence prevention). Responsibilities will include managing data collection, collecting and reporting on programmatic activities, research reviews, and providing overall support for the development of evaluation tools, methods and reporting capabilities. As part of the Research & Evaluation team, this role will work closely with multiple stakeholders including researchers, external stakeholders, Y leadership, program directors, and other staff. This role will require someone who is detail-focused, is a strategic thinker, and has experience in evaluation, mission or impact measurement, and/or research.

Our staff is the Y's greatest asset. Our teams provide valuable skills, knowledge, and passion that is essential to the contribution and positive impact in our communities, which is why we offer Y employees numerous perks and benefits, including:

• Comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees 
• Opportunity for eligible employees to participate in the Y's retirement fund 
• Be part of a team that is passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable environment for all staff, volunteers, and members
• Do meaningful work and contribute to the advancement of the YMCA vision by meeting the needs of the people in our communities
• Complimentary Adult YMCA membership and an employee discount on select programs
• Career advancement opportunities - grow your career at the Y!

Lead the evaluation portfolio for youth development programs, which includes management of data collection and analysis to support evaluation and assessment objectives

• Work closely with key stakeholders, including external consultants to coordinate and manage data collection and analysis
• Manage contracts and relationships with evaluation partners
• As needed, provide training and technical assistance for data collection 
• Create and manage systems to collect, store, analyze and report on data collected to track intervention benchmark indicators and project outcomes

Support documentation of programmatic and evaluation activities

• Develop, manage and update project documentation such as the program evaluation plan, measurement framework, assessment timelines, attendance tracking, meeting notes, file management, etc.

• Support, and where necessary, author quarterly and ad hoc reporting of evaluation progress and findings to internal and external audiences
• Support community assessment(s) to better understand the assets and needs of Y communities 

Support the development of evaluation tools and documentation

• Conduct research reviews and landscape scans of relevant practices
• Support the selection or development of measurement tools 

Research and Evaluation Ongoing Responsibilities

• Support scheduling, monitoring, and logistics for evaluation activities 
• Communicate and disseminate work to internal and external audiences (at Professional Learning Communities, as well as conferences)
• Manages the use of evaluation data in continuous improvement (CI) processes and supports associated CI practices
• Develop a culture of data-driven decisions throughout the organization by providing quality data and analysis and contributing to strategies to improve engagement and buy-in among stakeholders
• Supports the mission and vision of the YMCA of Metro Chicago

Minimum and Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in social sciences, humanities, economics, or related field and/or equivalent experience 
• One or more years of professional experience collecting, managing, and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data; experience applying research and evaluation methods in an educational program setting highly preferred
• Experienced in working with Excel required, advanced Excel skills preferred 
• Familiarity with online survey systems (Alchemer, formerly Survey Gizmo strongly preferred)
• Proficient in data visualization and experienced in data organization and processing
• Comfortable learning new data systems and analysis methods/software
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects, including developing project requirements, developing and tracking key milestones, stakeholder management and related project management skills.
• Ability to travel within Chicagoland area (City and suburbs) to visit program locations and attend activities requiring evaluation/assessment support 
• Commitment to and passion for the YMCA of Metro Chicago’s mission especially supporting youth development 
• Demonstrated critical thinking and analytical skills with the ability to research, identify and analyze relevant trends and qualitative/quantitative data.
• Regularly takes initiative and effectively manages multiple, competing priorities; demonstrates flexibility and adapts to multiple contexts to achieve results
• Ability to effectively collaborate with staff with varying levels of buy-in to support program improvement 
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative, effective relationships with diverse stakeholders and team members
• Demonstrated verbal, written and presentation skills with the ability to adapt communication and messages to diverse audiences

YMCA Vaccine Policy

We’re committed to the health and wellness of our employees, members, program participants, and those most vulnerable. If hired by the YMCA, you will be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination no later than two (2) days prior to your start date, unless an exemption for a medical condition or sincerely-held religious beliefs is granted.

Child Abuse Prevention:

Supports the YMCA’s commitment to child abuse prevention by:

• Reporting any items that may provide a health or safety hazard to staff, members or guests to your supervisor
• Following all policies and procedures related to keeping children safe in our facilities and programs, including those related to the monitoring and supervision of children
• Reporting any suspicious behavior and violation of policy and procedures to your supervisor
• Completing all child abuse prevention training as required