Researcher

Job Overview:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of the leading providers of high-quality programming for refugees resettling to the United States. Switchboard is a one-stop resource hub for refugee service providers in the United States, supported by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) and implemented by the IRC. More information about Switchboard can be found at www.SwitchboardTA.org.

Switchboard is seeking to hire a Researcher, with specific expertise in survey-based research in direct social service settings. This role will strengthen Switchboard’s mandate to advance research-informed and evidence-based support for more effective practice and impactful service to resettled refugees, and other forced migrant populations admitted to the United States. The Researcher will report to a Senior Researcher and collaborate closely with various research, innovation, evaluation, and learning initiatives within the IRC.

Major Responsibilities:

• Lead on the design, exploration, development, testing, and validation of a high-quality research toolkit, to survey refugee resettlement practitioners in the United States on an annual basis.
• Organize and manage the implementation of an annual survey of resettlement practitioners in the United States.
• Develop and update technical guidance notes, code books and instructions for all research tools that are developed, to ensure their standardized and rigorous implementation.
• Provide data quality assurance on survey-based studies related to refugee resettlement in the United States
• Conduct statistical analysis of longitudinal, cross-sectional and comparative data.
• Prepare and deliver regular status updates and report on results of survey-based research.
• Collaborate in the development of manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Coordinate research activities with Switchboard’s staff, donors, academic & research partners, and practitioners working across a wide range of humanitarian organizations.
• Develop and deliver high quality presentations to academic and non-academic audiences.
• Contribute to the development of new research and related proposals, as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

• Master’s or doctoral degree a relevant field, including the social sciences, health sciences, and social work.
• At least five years of practical experience conducting relevant research, including design, data collection, analysis, and dissemination of findings.
• Advanced knowledge and experience of data management and statistical analysis software.
• Experience in the development and management of human subject research studies.
• Excellent project management skills.
• Strong ability to meet deadlines.
• Good interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to work independently, to generate new ideas, and produce high quality work.
• Strong ability to communicate technical aspects of research effectively to a non-specialized audience.
• Demonstrated interests that align with Switchboard’s mission to advance and strengthen professional support for refugees (and other displaced persons) in the United States.

Preferred Experience & Skills:

• Specialized interest and expertise in survey-based methodologies.
• Demonstrated familiarity and/or experience with Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)-funded refugee resettlement and integration services.
• Demonstrated commitment and interest in humanitarian responses to population displacement, especially in the areas of asylum, refugee resettlement, and undocumented migration.

Working Environment: Standard office and/or remote working environment. This role may require working remotely full or part time and part time remote employees may be required to share workspace.

Compensation: Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days (depending on role and tenure), medical insurance starting at $145 per month, dental starting at $7 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus a 3-7% base IRC contribution (3 year vesting), disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.