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MISSION STATEMENT :
Eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
PRIMARY FUNCTION : The Senior Director of Research, Evaluation, and Program Development is a strategic executive leader. This position serves as an inspiring thought partner, supporting YW programs to integrate research and evaluation into practice, and supporting the sector to benefit from the YW’s findings.
QUALIFICATIONS :
- Masters in social work or related field required, including applied research, OR
PhD strongly preferred in social work, early childhood, public health or related field
Experience bridging the research-practice divide through implementation science and practice10 years of developing and executing social service programsPersonal or professional experience related to at least one of the agency’s service pillarsDemonstrated experience in all of the following : designing and executing impact evaluations; strategic planning; personnel supervision and growth; conducting needs assessments; facilitating research partnerships; leading direct service teamsKEY SKILLS :
Expertise in implementation science and practiceStrategic planning and innovationCuriosity, humility, boldness, creativity, connectednessStrong group facilitation, including personnel and community membersTool, research, and EBP / best practice identification and developmentStrengths-based personnel development, including for highly credentialed teamsCommitment to anti-racist, feminist perspectives in social workBilingual Spanish / English candidates encouraged to applyThe following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.
RESPONSIBILITIES :
Centers anti-racism, feminism, and trauma-responsive leadership in all activities, including in leadership, partnership, and research.Consults on research design and implementation, including development and direct facilitation of groups, interviews, and surveys when necessaryCollaboratively develops, manages, and forecasts departmental budgetServes as the principal writer for research funding opportunitiesManages funded research projects in accordance with contractual requirementsCollaboratively creates and executes agency-wide research, evaluation, and program development protocolsEnsure all programs agency-wide are supported with a collaboratively created, rigorous, measurable logic modelEnsure all tools and interventions used agency-wide are vetted and either a) evidence-based or b) if no appropriate tool / intervention exists, have an actionable plan to develop the evidence-baseMaintain a comprehensive roster of the tools and interventions used across the agency, including confirmation (and citations) for whether the tools / interventions have been evaluated with like-populations to the communities served by YWCA KalamazooEnsure research methods deployed are an effective, rigorous blend of qualitative and quantitative methods, and that the analysis and discussion around results uses best practicesLead the organization’s research-to-practice strategy, including :In partnership with the PIs and program teams, identifying what needs assessments, evaluations, and research studies would be strategic in furthering the agency’s missionIdentifying research / practice gaps, and ways the organization can bridge the research-practice divide internally and externallyThe strategy for organizational studies to be shared publicly for maximum impactSecure, facilitate, and monitor research partnerships, including developing the agency IRB processDirects the development and issuance of data for monthly KPI reports, annual reports, advocacy reports, and funder data reportsCollaborates across departments to develop policy papersHonors and uplifts the expertise held by othersDevelops and provides senior oversight for research partnerships, including subaward management, contract performance review, and fiscal oversightDemonstrates consistent visibility and on-site engagement across the agency, developing the critical relationships necessary for mutual information sharing and collaborative actionIntentionally builds partnership and relationship with personnel at all levelsParticipates in public information sharing with partners, legislators, media, conferences, and other opportunitiesEngages in weekly 1 : 1 supervision, committed to personal growth and coaching others in accordance with agency leadership requirementsDevelop and support a team of specialists and principal investigators to :Identify relevant data trends in their pillars of serviceEffectively manage research subawards and partnershipsFacilitate a collaborative and actionable discussion regarding what action may be needed based on data observationsDevelop and implement needs assessments, evaluations, and research studies within their target service pillarSupport programs to translate findings into appropriate understanding of implications, collaboratively generated recommendations, and actionable stepsEngage routinely and meaningfully in pillar operations to enhance relationship and understandingProduce sound, accessible research reports that further organizational and sector practiceConduct impact evaluations that inform the agency’s strategy to eliminate racism and empower womenEnsure ethical practice in all aspects of research activitiesShare results in the public sphereGrow professionally as leaders, researchers, innovators, and collaboratorsBecome leaders in bridging the research-practice divideWORKING CONDITIONS AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS :
YWCA locationOff-site locationPotential outdoor eventsSitting, standing, kneeling, bending, some liftingFrequently required to talk or hearWhile performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment is usually quietThe employee must occasionally lift and / or move more than 10 poundsTRAINING REQUIREMENTS :
Orientation to YWCA Personnel Policies, Mission, Purpose and One Imperative.Racial Justice TrainingOrientation to all agency service pillars (victim services, maternal / child health, and early childhood education).Appropriate training and in-service which will occur during employment.The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Equal Opportunity Employer
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