Associate - Research & Evaluation

The Stellar Group seeks a new Alaska-based team member to perform a variety of technical, analytical, and administrative duties for internal and external projects with nonprofit, government, and tribal clients. A successful team member will thrive working across cultures in a dynamic team environment where learning is constant and different ideas and perspectives are encouraged.

This job requires project management, attention to detail, rigorous analytical and strategic thinking skills, leadership skills, and superb interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills. Much of our work is in service to traditionally underserved people and communities. A strong connection to or understanding of the people and communities our work serves is valued. A background in public health or social services is very helpful, but curiosity and a desire to learn and grow are essential.

While the position is remote, location in Alaska is required.

Duties include:

Research, Program Evaluation, and planning

• Work as part of a team on multiple project teams to design and conduct short and long-term research, program evaluation, and planning projects with overlapping timelines.
• With guidance, develop or modify research plans and data collection tools, collect qualitative and quantitative data, and clean, analyze and conduct accurate and meaningful analysis. Identify patterns and trends.
• Demonstrate curiosity to identify and explore nuances, contexts, and implications important for analysis, recommendations, and approach. Evaluate the quality, relevance, and reliability of information.
• Identify and apply related contexts of other aspects and histories of the community, drawing connections with national and regional factors. Proactively apply other research, themes, and historical or contextual information to the specific research being conducted.
• Appropriately use a variety of methods, tools, and programs in the course of work, and demonstrate ability to learn new approaches.
• Conduct research with respect for people and communities, drawing from lived experience and traditional knowledge. Conduct data collection in situations that require cultural sensitivity and an understanding of cultural contexts. Use participatory methods.
• Support both virtual and in person planning processes, by assisting with the design and facilitation of meetings, retreats, and other events to foster alignment and relationship building among diverse groups, using a variety of techniques and tools.
• Prepare clear, accurate, and professional reports, plans, infographics, presentations, and other informational documents for various audiences and purposes. Tailor communications to different audiences.
• Plan and facilitate effective internal and external meetings and other events in person and virtually.

Project Management

• Provide effective project leadership to projects of moderate size and complexity and projects with increasing complexity to longer-term clients, as assigned, by applying and adapting project management best practices for communication, organization and oversight, reporting, risk management, closure, and client engagement.
• Identify and communicate changes to the project scope, timelines, and deliverables to ensure client needs are met.
• Engage in ongoing communication and coordination with clients and coworkers; delegate aspects of projects to other team members to ensure successful project completion.
• Foster alignment and understanding on project teams.
• Maintain confidentiality of firm's clients and projects.

Business & Relationship Development

• Develop and maintain positive relationships with clients, coworkers, project stakeholders and others encountered in the course of work.
• Act with compassion and integrity. Use good judgement, tact, and discretion in handling sensitive situations.
• Represent Stellar's capacity and expertise in interactions with clients and other stakeholders.
• Draft proposals including budget, timeline and methodology that embody Stellar's approach.
• Desired experience and skills include:
• Project management skills including tracking deliverables, deadlines, and budget, problem solving and adaptability, communication, and organization.
• Understanding of a variety of applied social science research frameworks and methodologies.
• Experience conducting qualitative and quantitative research and program evaluation, including cleaning and organizing large datasets and developing and/or modifying data collection tools (e.g., surveys, interview protocols).
• Experience with research and data analysis programs such as Dedoose, NVivo, SPSS, R, ArcGIS, Survey Monkey, Qualtrics, and/or Excel, ArcGIS programs, graphic design or data visualization.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office Products including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Group facilitation skills including rapport building, active listening, and group management to encourage dialogue with a diverse audience.
• Working knowledge of the cultural, political, social, and economic conditions that affect health and well-being, including specific frameworks and models.
• Cross-cultural communication skills, including experience successfully coordinating inclusive projects with diverse groups on sensitive topics.
• Ability to work in languages other than English.

The Stellar Group's clients are working to realize more just and equitable systems and to improve services for traditionally underserved populations, including people of color, immigrants/refugees, LGBTQ2S+ and people with disabilities. We believe we are stronger when our own team is representative of the people and communities we serve. We encourage candidates of diverse backgrounds.

A minimum of five years of research and/or program evaluation experience is required, with progressively more responsible project management experience. A bachelor's degree is required, and a master's degree is preferred. Experience may be substituted for education.

Competitive salary and benefits DOE. The range for this full-time, exempt position is $75,000-$90,000/annually. New hires can typically expect to be placed at $75,000 - $82,000, depending on experience.

There is the potential for placement at a Senior Associate Level ($90,000-$110,000/annually) will be considered for candidates with advanced education, 10+years of research and evaluation experience, and demonstrated advanced project management and project leadership skills. Preference for prior supervisory experience.

Additional benefits for full-time employees include:

• Individual Health Care Reimbursement Accounts (up to $11,000 depending on location, age & geography dependent, plus dependent allowance)
• Generous leave policy (24 days annually + paid holidays)
• 401K retirement