The Qualitative Research Consultant is responsible for designing, moderating, and executing (“leading”) qualitative research and evaluation projects under the direction of the Director of Qualitative MERL. The Consultant works closely with the Director of Qualitative MERL, other team members, and subject matter experts (SMEs), using a variety of research techniques to assist clients in meeting their research objectives and uncovering actionable insights from both academic and nonacademic types of qualitative data. Through meeting clients and providing consultations, the Consultant acquires a thorough understanding of research and evaluation needs, builds designs and methodologies appropriate to those needs, and produces highly effective actionable insights that make a real difference in client programs and organizations. The Consultant meets with current and prospective clients, develops internal SOWs/proposals, develops creative proposals for clients, moderates qualitative studies, manages projects, and prepares/reviews deliverables for qualitative research and evaluation projects. The Consultant also trains team members and clients (as needed) on qualitative research and evaluation methods, design, data coding and analysis, setup and management of project activities, while seeking new client opportunities.

TITLE: Qualitative Research/Evaluation Consultant

LOCATION: Irving, Texas/Houston, Texas/Remote

POSITION TYPE: Consultant

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS: Reports to Director of Qualitative MERL

HOURS/SCHEDULE: Permanent, Full- or Part-Time

SALARY DETAILS: Commensurate with experience; Levels I, II, III, IV; Senior Levels I, II, III, IV

JOB SUMMARY

The Research and Evaluation MERL team at Elite Research collaborates with government, community-based organizations, philanthropy, non-governmental organizations, and academic partners to conduct small, moderate, and large-scale research and evaluations of programs and services, leverage data for action, and support the development and improvement of community-based programs, initiatives, and services. With numerous distinct contracts and grants at any one time, the Consultant works with a variety of internal and external collaborators, leads small to large evaluation projects and research studies, manages multiple tasks simultaneously, amid multiple shifting priorities. These projects range from evaluations of national programs to statewide surveys, to robust government-funded evaluation studies of public health interventions, to local program evaluations carried out in collaboration with community-based organizations.

The Qualitative Research Consultant is responsible for designing, moderating, and executing (“leading”) qualitative research and evaluation projects under the direction of the Director of Qualitative MERL. The Consultant works closely with the Director of Qualitative MERL, other team members, and subject matter experts (SMEs), using a variety of research techniques to assist clients in meeting their research objectives and uncovering actionable insights from both academic and nonacademic types of qualitative data. Through meeting clients and providing consultations, the Consultant acquires a thorough understanding of research and evaluation needs, builds designs and methodologies appropriate to those needs, and produces highly effective actionable insights that make a real difference in client programs and organizations. The Consultant meets with current and prospective clients, develops internal SOWs/proposals, develops creative proposals for clients, moderates qualitative studies, manages projects, and prepares/reviews deliverables for qualitative research and evaluation projects. The Consultant also trains team members and clients (as needed) on qualitative research and evaluation methods, design, data coding and analysis, setup and management of project activities, while seeking new client opportunities.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Key Responsibilities (include, but are not limited to)

• Advocate for and contribute to developing a learning and growth mindset within the team.
• Contribute to and develop proposals with qualitative or mixed methods solutions to client problems.
• Manage qualitative research and evaluation projects (internal and external research teams) from end-to-end (in-person or remote), while maintaining clear communication with clients and team members.
• Guide clients on defining research and evaluation objectives that are feasible and of value to them and their organizations that often go beyond what was initially conceived.
• Provide clients with best research practices and recommendations despite differences of opinion from clients, understanding when compromises or flexibility are needed.
• Collect and analyze data with rigor, ethics, and integrity; develop insights that are concise and appropriately accessible to a variety of audiences. Analysis techniques may range from synthesis of data to academic-level rigor in coding and analysis.
• Demonstrate flexibility and creativity in working with clients and in addressing research challenges, including showing adaptability with regard to working with various personalities, changes to project schedules, budgets, project needs and objectives, participant recruitment, data collection, and results.
• Oversight and training of Qualitative Analysts and Senior Analysts in order to advance them into Consultants; design and general training on qualitative research and evaluation methods for staff and clients.
• Design or review data collection instruments that align with project objectives.
• Develop insightful proposals with innovative qualitative solutions to client problems.
• Contribute to marketing communications (e.g., blog posts, articles, webinars, and conference papers) specific to qualitative research methodologies.
• Maintain highest level of data security and client confidentiality.
• Support Elite Research’s goal of empowering researchers through education and communication by providing clients with clear and specific guidance and feedback.
• Other responsibilities as may be assigned.

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in a relevant discipline (sociology, anthropology, political science, psychology, etc.).
• 4 to 6 years of professional experience in a research or evaluation role with a qualitative focus, with at least 2 years of experience in a client service capacity.
• Ability to analyze information, interpret, summarize data, communicate and present findings in ways easily understandable to decision-makers within the organization and externally. Appropriate use of depth and rigor for academic and nonacademic qualitative data.
• Ability to work creatively and think commercially. Have a flexible, innovative and analytical working style.
• Experience supporting and training staff and clients, that are unfamiliar with research and evaluations, to collect, manage and analyze data.
• Experience working with a variety of public, private, nonprofit and grassroots organizational structures, governing bodies, including boards of directors, advisory boards, etc.
• Strong hands-on experience and working knowledge of managing the full qualitative research cycle (proposal/SOW writing through to analysis and delivery).
• Experience in the planning, executing, and reporting of projects, while ensuring quality and useful insights that lead to impactful decisions.
• Knowledge and experience of program evaluation principles, theories, concepts and practices, research and evaluation methods and tools for observing and interpreting patterns.
• Knowledge and experience of using evaluation and community-based research to inform program development, including Participatory Action Research and Cultural Competency.
• Ability to think strategically, remaining focused on goals and objectives, meeting deadlines and being persistent, as well as solving problems as they arise.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate clearly with others (verbal & written), including with internal team members and clients.
• Solid project management of multiple projects, delegation and planning skills, high level of organization, attention to detail, self-starter.
• Expert proficiency and understanding of various qualitative analysis tools (NVIVO, Dedoose, ATLAS.ti, etc.).
• Expert proficiency with MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, and strong storytelling skills.

WORK ELIGIBILITY/E-VERIFY NOTICE

All applicants must be authorized to legally work in the Unites States. Additionally, Elite Research participates in the Federal E-Verify program and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; climb stairs; talk or hear. The employee must have the ability to operate a personal computer and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include ability to distinguish the nature of objects using the eye.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Employees are responsible for performing their duties in an environment that is free from discrimination, intimidation, coercion, or harassment, including sexual harassment. Work is performed primarily indoors in an office. The noise level in the work environment is low to moderate. The employee may be required to travel.

SAFETY

Employees are responsible to assist in the creation of a culture of safety and environmental protection by performing work safely in accordance with departmental safety procedures as well as operate equipment safely and report any unsafe work conditions or practice to their supervisor.

CONCLUSION

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and it is not intended to be an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and the requirements of the job change.

TO APPLY

If you are interested in applying for this position, please email your resume and a cover letter to [email protected].

Resumes without cover letters are not encouraged. We believe that cover letters allow applicants to fill in any information they deem necessary that may not be included on a resume as well as let the team know why the applicant is interested in the position or working for Elite Research. Letters of recommendation/references and writing samples are not necessary to submit until the interview rounds. Finally, please be sure to include the position you are applying for in the subject line.

Questions can also be sent to [email protected], however, due to the high volume of resumes received, we will not be able to give applicants any status updates. If the team has any questions or would like to invite you in for an interview, we will let you know.