Senior Analyst

Organization Overview 

The National Institute for Children’s Health Quality (NICHQ) is a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to driving dramatic and sustainable improvements in the complex issues facing children’s health. We provide deep expertise in building and managing effective change strategies that align partners and engage participants to achieve better outcomes for children’s health. 

Position Overview 

The Senior Analyst brings knowledge of and experience in applied research and evaluation and applies that knowledge to lead the successful design, execution and management of projects in the context of NICHQ’s maternal child health work. The Senior Analyst works closely and collaboratively with the Senior leadership in Programs and in the Department of Applied Research and Evaluation (DARE), project leads, Quality Improvement Advisors, expert faculty members, funders, and project teams to design and execute applied research and evaluation work that provides high-quality, relevant data analysis and recommendations across the lifecycle of projects.  The Senior Analyst plays an integral and leadership role on NICHQ’s Applied Research and Evaluation team, guiding the department’s work (under the supervision of the Associate Director and senior leadership in DARE), as well as in the team’s work to capture, develop, and spread innovative approaches.  The Senior Analyst may provide additional research consulting services and assist in elevating NICHQ’s standing in the scientific community by driving strategic planning for publications and conference presentations. 

Summary 

Career Level:  Experienced 

Status: Full-Time, Exempt Employee 

Education: Master’s degree required; doctoral degree in relevant discipline preferred 

Reports to: Senior leadership in the Department of Applied Research and Evaluation (DARE) 

Salary: $80,000-$85,000 

Responsibilities 

• Provides leadership on and executes applied research/evaluation initiatives 
  • Works independently, capable of making decisions with limited oversight
• Possesses advanced insight and skills in client management
• Synthesizes complex information into usable formats
• Exhibits strong understanding of NICHQ project goals, aims, methods, products, and tools
• Identifies and appropriately brings complex project insights, concerns, and potential solutions in a timely manner to project and DARE lead(s) and collaborates to implement solutions
• May be responsible for the supervision and development of individuals working in applied research and evaluation
• Demonstrates subject matter expertise in one or more of the following areas: biostatistics and epidemiology, maternal and child health outcomes programs and services, early care and education, program evaluation
• Contributes to cross project sharing, learning and consistent integration of organizational support functions (e.g., programs, evaluation, communications) 
• Represents the Applied Research and Evaluation team on projects in a collaborative and supportive manner
• Designs and leads execution of applied research/evaluation project activities across all phases, including, as relevant: 
  • Planning 
    • Leads the development of and executes environmental scans and literature reviews 
    • Drives development of research/evaluation plan and data collection instruments
    • Collaborates with programs staff on internal accountability and project success in meeting project aims and deliverables and alignment with overall project plan.
    • Responsible for securing human subjects’ approval, as appropriate
  • Data collection and management leads implementation of:
    • Administration of surveys, interviews, focus groups, and other activities with research participants
    • Developing and managing various surveys and databases 
  • Data analysis 
    • Leads all data analyses within his/her project, including as appropriate: 1) developing processes/systems for data entry and cleaning prior to analysis; 2) conducting quantitative analyses using SPSS, SAS, R, or other statistical software; 3) conducting qualitative data analyses using NVivo or other qualitative analysis software 
    • Based on project needs and area of expertise, provides consultation to other projects on statistical analysis techniques (e.g., sampling, random assignment, application scoring and weighting) or qualitative research techniques (e.g., focus groups, content analysis, ethnography)
• Reporting and dissemination
  • Oversees development of written summaries in multiple formats (e.g., documents, slide sets) using statistical, narrative and graphic components as appropriate
  • Reviews abstracts for and represents NICHQ as a member of the applied research and evaluation team at professional conferences
  • Oversees development of manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication
  • Provides consultation to project teams in their development of reports and other materials that include research or evaluation data
• Participates in other activities of the applied research and evaluation team as needed, including to: 1) capture, develop, and spread innovative approaches; 2) build capacity of NICHQ’s staff in applied research, evaluation, and data presentation skills; and 3) elevate NICHQ’s standing in the scientific community—including applied research and improvement science--across a broad range of venues.  
• Contributes to organizational work with NICHQ and partners nationwide to build organizational capacity, innovative methods, and technical assistance approaches regarding data and/or data systems for improvement science and collaborative innovation in child health.

Qualifications and Characteristics 

• Doctoral or master’s degree in relevant field (e.g., biostatistics and epidemiology, maternal and child health outcomes programs and services, early care and education, program evaluation); at least 3 years’ work experience in a health services, social science, or clinical research setting doing qualitative and/or quantitative research
• Proficient in supervising and conducting all phases of research as described
• Superb computer skills including Microsoft Office products and database management; adept at quickly learning new technologies
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines with minimal support from supervisor
• Excellent communications skills including oral and written presentation and facilitation, in service of developing and maintaining internal and funder/partner relationships and producing reports suitable for academic and/or public sector audience
• Creative, strategic thinker who optimizes systems and resources
• Ability to quickly implement plans/structure for accomplishing work
• Results-oriented team player 
• Experience adapting to change
• Detail-oriented
• “Achiever” who takes initiative
• Willing to embrace and actively support NICHQ’s organizational values:  agile, bold, productive, fun, honest, learn and share, recognition, respect, teamwork, visionary.

Benefits  

We offer a generous benefits package for employees including competitive compensation; US based remote work; paid time off including vacation, sick and holidays; insurance including medical, dental, vision, disability and life; flexible spending accounts; employee assistance programs; paid parental leave and professional development benefits.

NICHQ is committed to increasing the representation of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in our workforce and to value and embrace their skills, perspectives and experiences for the benefit of our mission. NICHQ is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender or gender expression, sexual orientation, age marital status or disability. NICHQ strongly encourages applications from candidates who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, or from any other minoritized group.

To Apply  

To apply for this employment opportunity, please complete and submit an online application at NICHQ.org.