About the UREP team:

Vera seeks an Associate Director of Research to join its Advancing Universal Representation Initiative, which is working toward the goal of establishing a federal right to legal representation for people facing deportation. The Associate Director of Research will serve as part of the initiative's leadership team and manage all aspects of our robust research and data analytics agenda, working in close collaboration with the institute's director of research initiatives. They will oversee work advancing an evidence base in support of publicly funded representation, including impact evaluations of representation programs.

Who you are:

The ADR works under the direction of the Initiative Director and in partnership with other Associate Directors to support the initiative's overall success. They are also part of the Institute's research leadership team, working closely with research leadership and other Associate Directors of Research across the organization to make connections between different bodies of work, develop policies and implement initiatives to ensure the quality of Vera's research, advising and supporting researchers across the institute.

The ADR is the most senior researcher on the team and is responsible for the management, staffing, and performance of an interdisciplinary research team, developing and overseeing strategies that draw upon the range of research expertise and capacity that exists within Vera's multi-disciplinary research department. The ADR oversees staff working across a range of methodologies and multiple projects or studies, engaging in sophisticated hands-on research as needed, and manages the team's entire research portfolio. ADRs should have fluency in advocacy and communications strategies and draw on their substantial expertise in the field to oversee evidence-based messaging and policy in support of big goals. They are responsible for all research designs, publications, IRB plans, and other deliverables produced by their teams. They serve as principal investigators as needed.

Associate Directors of Research lead efforts to ensure Vera's race equity and inclusion priorities are a core aspect of Vera's research, including in methodological approaches, publications, hiring and staffing, and external and internal research communications.

ADRs are generally recognized externally as subject matter experts, with substantial management experience, advanced methodological skills, strong research communication skills, and experience building and leading a research team.

This is a senior-level position for experienced researchers with extensive technical expertise and substantive knowledge and experience.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Research leadership

Develop and lead initiative research strategies and budgets

• Develop, manage, and oversee all aspects of research within initiatives, coordinating with the research and initiative director
• Represent research on initiative leadership teams

• • Work with other members of initiative leadership teams to develop strategies that incorporate research, participating in theory of change planning, MEL, and other activities related to the impact pipeline)
  • Work with other initiative leadership in support of annual planning and budget development, staffing plans, and fundraising
• Serve as a member of the Vera Research Leadership Team, providing mentorship and support across the department and aligning research supports and culture with Vera's values
• Cultivate relationships with partner organizations in support of our work to advance research in support of universal representation

Hiring/Supervision

• Manage the universal representation research and data science team, including hiring and recruiting through the principal associate level, coordinating with other members of the research leadership team to ensure internal consistency and collaboration
• Supervise all research work on the initiative
• Provide training, mentoring, and technical assistance to researchers within the initiative and across teams

Presentation / publication of research

• Oversee evidence-based messaging and research within the initiative, and oversee development, writing, and editing of research publications and evidence-based messaging and products in support of project or initiative goals, including rapid response work.
• Act as an internal and external spokesperson/ representative of the work to a range of audiences

Data collection and analysis

• Review IRB applications: develop and present IRB applications and ensure that research is conducted to the highest ethical standards, serving as Principal Investigator on research projects
• Mentor early career researchers in human subjects /IRB protocols
• Lead/train/supervise others on data collection and analysis, overseeing all aspects of data management and analysis within an initiative or program

Internal collaboration and support

• Partner with advocacy and communications staff to develop coordinated strategies that leverage research
• Work as part of the research leadership team to ensure that researchers across the organization receive appropriate support

What qualifications do you need?

Education and Experience:

Required:

• Associate directors are experienced researchers/ data scientists, managers, mentors, and project leaders with advanced technical, methodological, analytic, and project leadership skills. Typically an ADR will have a Ph.D. or equivalent and 8+ years of work experience or equivalent applied experience over 8+ years as well as several years of experience supervising interdisciplinary research teams.

List of Required Software Applications:

• ADRs are generally subject matter experts, with substantial management experience, advanced methodological skills, strong research communication skills, and experience building and leading a research team.
• Advanced data analytical and project management skills, and an extensive track record using research or data science approaches as a tool for applied justice reform.

List of Required Software applications:

• Will vary depending on methodology and initiative

Compensation and Benefits:

The compensation range for this position is $125,000– $130,000. Actual salaries will vary depending on factors including but not limited to experience and performance. The salary range listed is just one component of Vera Institute's total compensation package for employees. As an employer of choice in our field, supporting Vera staff—both personally and professionally—is a priority. To do this, we invest in the well-being of our staff through other rewards including merit pay, generous paid time off, a comprehensive health insurance plan, student loan repayment benefits, professional development training opportunities and up to $2,000 annual for education costs and fees relevant to Vera work, employer-funded retirement plan, and flexible time and remote work schedules. Please note this is a hybrid schedule where you will work in the office two days with a third alternating day. To learn more about Vera's benefits offerings, click here.

Applications may also be faxed to:

ATTN: People Resources / Associate Director of Research, Advancing Universal Representation
Vera Institute of Justice
34 35th St, Suite 4-2-A, Brooklyn, NY 11232
Fax: (212) 941-9407
Please use only one method (online, mail or fax) of submission.
No phone calls, please. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

As a federal contractor, and in order to ensure a healthy and safe work environment, Vera Institute of Justice is requiring all employees to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccine before their start date. Employees who cannot receive the vaccine because of a disability/medical contraindication or sincerely-held religious belief may request an accommodation (e.g., an exemption) to this requirement.

Vera is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, or caregiver status.

Vera works to advance justice, particularly racial justice, in an increasingly multicultural country and globally connected world. We value diverse experiences, including with regard to educational background and justice system contact, and depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission.

For more information about Vera, please visit www.vera.org