Research Associate, Social and Behavioral Science Research at Population Council

Position Summary

• The Population Council is embarking on a bold new strategic plan and global research agenda that aim to improve health and development outcomes by asking and answering strategic research questions to tackle pressing social, economic, health, and climate issues worldwide.
• The Council’s global and interdisciplinary research brings expertise in demography, epidemiology, biomedical research and product development, economics, public health, sociology, and science communications working across sexual health and reproductive choice, adolescent health and wellbeing, gender equality, and the pursuit of justice in the face of climate and environmental changes.
• Colleagues across the Council conduct rigorous science, generate high quality evidence and innovative data products, and communicate evidence strategically to influence social, economic and health policies and investments at national and global levels.
• The global research agenda directly builds on the Council’s strengths and decades of experience while responding to key global needs, both in the immediate term and the future; it is a Council-wide initiative cutting across and undertaken by all three Council divisions - Social and Behavioral Science Research (SBSR), International Programs (IP), and the Center for Biomedical Research (CBR) - to advance four global goals over the coming years.  
• The Research Associate reports directly to the Scientific Director with dotted line management from the Associate Director, Strategic Planning and Operations, SBSR.
• As a member of the SBSR Management Team, the essential functions of the Research Associate are to support the Scientific Director with research activities (50%), research operations (40%) and resource development (10%). 

Responsibilities
Research activities (50%):

• Conceptualize and develop, coordinate, and integrate, and monitor and evaluate research ideas, projects, and portfolios. 
• Conduct scoping and systematic reviews, syntheses, and technical supplements in service of research ideas, projects, and portfolios. 
• Secure, clean and prepare, and analyze quantitative and qualitative data from different sources. 
• Write-up research work, including, but not limited to, concept notes and white papers, reports and publications, and public-facing pieces (press releases, op-eds, blog posts, etc.). 
• Research dissemination activities, including, but not limited to, meetings, conferences, and events. 
• Lead and contribute to publishing Council research via briefs, peer-reviewed publications, and other media. 
• Lead the synthesis of projects and evidence across SBSR division and Council activities. 
• Lead on the analysis of a research project and/or technical assistance. 
• Participate in Council-wide working groups and networks. 

Research operations (40%):

• Inventory, revise, and develop policies, procedures, and materials to support all aspects of an inclusive research lifecycle. 
• Support information and knowledge management efforts.  
• Support and coordinate as needed researcher recruitment, development and capacity building, and mentoring efforts. 
• Coordinate internal peer-review and IRB processes 
• Review and provide feedback on all research protocols and amendments, including meeting with Principal Investigators, as needed.   
• Ensure timely submission of all research protocols and amendments for ethical review. 
• Lead knowledge management of all research protocols, amendments and supporting documentation for global programs. 
• Support and coordinate research, data, and methods seminars, labs, and other initiatives, meetings, and events. Support Scientific Director to conceptualize and convene regular SBSR-wide research seminars and events, identify thematic technical areas, as well as externally facing high-level events, including identifying and communicating with potential speakers, preparing materials, writing meeting reports, and organizing follow-up.  
• Support and coordinate implementation and integration of SBSR Management workplans and set and achieve measurable goals identified therein. 
• Respond to internal and external requests for information on an as-needed basis. 

Resource development (10%):

• Integrate research activities and operations with SBSR resource and business development activities 
• Support the development and monitoring of policies, procedures, and guidance to ensure quality assurance for proposal development, project reports, publications, and communications. 
• Support the preparation of global project-related reports, manuscripts, and presentations. 
• Liaise with internal teams to share and communicate research outputs effectively to internal and external audiences. Present research findings to key stakeholders as needed. 
• Conduct regular landscape searches of donor initiatives and research conducted by peer organizations on core Council topics, keeping up to date with the latest developments in social sciences and sector changes, ensuring Council work is best positioned for competitiveness. 
• Support in the writing of technical and non-technical sections of proposals and conduct reviews of proposal documents for SBSR, and International Programs and/or Resource Mobilization as needed/when requested. 
• Integrate research activities and operations with SBSR communications and marketing activities. 
• Support the development and monitoring of policies, procedures, and guidance to ensure quality and effective internal and external messaging and communications. 
• Liaise with internal teams to share communications and marketing plans and activities. 

Qualifications
We understand that there are many paths to acquiring expertise and experience and strong candidates may not have every qualification listed here. We encourage applications from individuals with diverse and/or nontraditional backgrounds who bring passion, skills, and experience in many or most of these areas. 

• Master’s Degree and 5 - 7 years’ relevant work experience. 
• Proficient with at least one statistical software package (Stata, R, etc.) for processing and analyzing data. Proficiency with multiple statistical software packages a plus. 
• Proficient with or willing to learn GIS for processing and analyzing spatial data. 
• Proficient with or willing to learn qualitative data analysis software packages. 
• Demonstrated ability to provide support on research design and analysis; development of research protocols and tools; on topics related to improving public health outcomes. 
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and proactively, manage time efficiently, prioritize, multi-task, and respond to rapidly changing priorities. 
• Excellent English language skills (oral and written). Advanced writing and editorial skills. Ability to quickly draft correspondence; prepare graphs and other written materials with a sharp attention to detail, appearance and accuracy while utilizing good editorial judgment. 
• Ability to read and synthesize published articles and grey literature. 
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint required. 
• Experience in or knowledge of the Council’s regional locations highly desirable. Fluency in a language or languages of the Council’s region(s) a plus.  
• Candidates must have appropriate work authorization for the relevant Council office location.

Attitudes:

• Willingness to travel internationally, as needed. 
• Flexible, self-motivating with a team player attitude. 
• A strong interest in building capacity of team members. 
• Results-oriented and committed to excellence. 
• Commitment to anti-racism and anti-oppression work.

Salary & Benefirs

• As the position is based outside of the United States, the salary range and benefits will be in accordance with the local pay scale and benefits structure in the relevant Council international office. Our international offices provide competitive benefits packages including health insurance available immediately upon hire, generous annual and sick leave, and paid parental leave. 
• We strive to provide an environment of professional growth and development.