Principal Researcher, Child Welfare

ThePrincipal Researcher in Child Welfare will lead business pursuits related to federal state and local child welfare policy and program research and evaluation. We seek a dynamic business development leader contributing to the expansion and management of a robust portfolio of contract and grant-funded policy research and evaluation projects in child welfare. Areas of expertise by the candidate may include child welfare data system integration cross-system data use adoption permanency kinship care foster parents prevention and other child welfare content program or policy areas. The chosen candidate will be a leader in AIRs Children and Families portfolio of business pursuits and projects which also includes early childhood education and care and maternal and child health. The candidate will be proactively thinking ahead about opportunities. The candidate will have content technical and management expertise with the ability to build and nurture relationships with clients and leaders in the child welfare field.

This position has the flexibility to work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of AIRsU.S. office locations. This does not include U.S. territories.

About AIR:

Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Arlington Virginia the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to address some of the most pressing challenges in the United States and globally. We generate evidence and apply data-driven solutions that expand opportunities and improve lives for all.

Responsibilities:

The responsibilities for the position include

Qualifications:

Education Knowledge and Experience

• Doctoral degree in child development developmental psychology human development education public or social policy economics social welfare or a related field with minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience managing and conducting research or Masters degree and at least 11 years of relevant experience.
• 10 or more years of project leadership experience including proposal writing project management staff supervision report writing and external relationship management.
• National and positive reputation for expertise in child welfare and well-connected in the field.
• Knowledge of family supports social services and/or early childhood research.
• Proven record of accomplishment leading proposals and winning competitive contracts/grants from various funding organizations (e.g. Federal state and local government; foundations).
• Familiarity with federal and state procurement and contract opportunities.
• Experience effectively leading and mentoring diverse teams working on research-focused projects and/or tasks within large/complex projects including team oriented to ensure project excellence timeliness and on-budget execution.

Skills

• Strong quantitative qualitative or mixed-method design and analysis skills to serve as a senior team leader on proposals and projects.
• Demonstrated strong writing skills to effectively communicate findings and policy implications from technical research for policymakers and practitioners.
• Demonstrated clear oral communication skills including the capacity to collaborate professionally with clients federal or foundation project officers implementing partners consultants program leadership staff and other stakeholders.
• Proven ability to develop staff capacity in research and evaluation design and methods project management client relationships research publication and business development.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to accuracy and research best practices.

Disclosures:Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.

American Institutes for Research is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of age race color religion sex gender gender identity/expression sexual orientation national origin protected veteran status or disability. AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo reference and background checks. AIR maintains a drug-free work environment.

ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE:If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability please send an email to Taliba Boone at call 202.403.5000.

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