Job Opening ID: 183202 Work Location: Ann Arbor Campus Full Time/Part Time: Full-Time Regular/Temporary: Regular FLSA Status: Exempt Organizational Group: Vp Global Engaged Ed Department: Poverty Solutions at U-M Posting Begin/End Date: 1/16/2020 2/10/2020 Salary: Paid Time Off: Career Interest: Research
How to Apply Please note: A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. Applications receiving serious consideration will include a cover letter that clearly addresses the applicant's interest in the position and that specifically relates the skills and experience that are relevant to the required and desired qualifications described in this posting.
Job Summary Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan is seeking a data and policy analyst to assist in action-oriented research projects focused on alleviating poverty and promoting economic mobility in Detroit.
Poverty Solutions is an interdisciplinary university-wide initiative that seeks to foster research to identify and test strategies for the prevention and alleviation of poverty. Poverty Solutions' action-based research is focused on determining the most effective strategies for improving economic well-being, and partnering with policymakers and community stakeholders to brings those strategies into fruition.
One such partnership is our Partnership on Economic Mobility with the city of Detroit, a joint effort to identify and implement concrete, evidence-based strategies that significantly improve economic opportunity and reduce poverty in Detroit. In concert with U-M experts and city departments, we:
Advise city officials on evidence-based strategies to enhance the economic mobility of Detroiters;
Provide technical support and data analysis in the implementation of mobility initiatives;
Evaluate city initiatives to measure both short and long-term impacts on economic mobility, using publicly available data, city administrative resources, and resident surveys; and
Bring new data and research to bear on significant obstacles that are standing in the way of Detroiters' pursuit of economic opportunity.
The position will serve as an analyst and project manager for Detroit Partnership projects. This position will primarily be based at our Detroit office, with occasional travel to Poverty Solutions' Ann Arbor office at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy as required.
Responsibilities*
Data analysis: Analyzing longitudinal data; creating indices and other summary variables; and performing both basic and complex social science statistical analysis.
Data processing and management: Primary responsibilities include gathering, processing, merging, managing and archiving data; entering data into databases; documenting all data processing steps; creating, maintaining, and archiving survey and other study documentation.
Research dissemination: Assist with preparation of results for memos, spreadsheets, presentations, and data visualizations targeting community residents, policymakers, and academic audiences; conduct thorough and critical reviews of relevant literature.
Project management: Plan and manage all phases of the research and data analysis projects, including timeline, data gathering and analysis, coordinating the work of others, project deliverables.
Agency relations: Serve as key liaison for research partners to establish working relationships, build trust and gather data.
Research administration: The Data and Policy Analyst will complete IRB research applications, ensuring compliance with University and Sponsor regulations, maintain data agreements and data security, and will also draft and manage project reports for the sponsor, maintain project records, and other administrative duties.
Assists with research collaboration and training: Maintain relationships with other research partners, centers on campus and City of Detroit staff, develop training for research assistants.
Other responsibilities as assigned.
Required Qualifications*
Graduate-level degree or commensurate experience in public policy, education, political science, economics or a relevant social science discipline.
A minimum of 1-3 years of experience working on complex quantitative research projects (field operations; data management; analysis).
Demonstrated knowledge of and interest in poverty alleviation and economic mobility policy with knowledge of social science research methods, concepts and practices.
Excellent computing skills, including the ability to learn new software packages quickly; substantial experience with social science statistical software packages, particularly with STATA, for both data management and analysis operations; strong data skills with MS Excel; strong statistical analysis skills.
Ability to effectively interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including the ability to work cooperatively with faculty and staff throughout the Ford School and the greater U of M community.
Successful candidates will exhibit the ability to work in a fast-paced environment, handle multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and take initiative while keeping supervisors and project leads informed.
Strong written and verbal communication skills required; experience producing communication materials to diverse audiences preferred.
Desired Qualifications*
Experience working with restricted data and data safeguarding procedures
Experience with GIS
Experience designing and developing databases
Experience providing instruction/training to others
Experience with data visualization and presentation
Experience working with government, nonprofit, and academic stakeholders Experience working with large and complex datasets strongly preferred
U-M EEO/AA Statement The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
