Director of Research

Overview

The National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA) stands as the foremost voice advocating for the respect, dignity, and recognition of domestic workers within the United States. Founded in 2007, NDWA advances the rights and well-being of more than 395,000 domestic workers affiliated with over 76 organizations across 22 states. The organization envisions a society where domestic work is valued as essential, and domestic workers lead in shaping care sectors while holding secure and economically equitable jobs.

Role Summary

The Director of Research will spearhead NDWA’s research agenda, ensuring it aligns strategically with the organization's overall mission and theory of change. This position enhances the organization's capacity for research that directly supports advocacy, policy-making, and organizing efforts centered on domestic workers’ lived experiences. The role involves managing a research team, leading studies on policy impact and domestic worker conditions, and applying advanced quantitative and qualitative methodologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute NDWA’s strategic research agenda in accordance with organizational goals.
• Manage periodic online surveys targeting domestic workers, including data analysis and dissemination.
• Lead and design principal investigator-led research projects focusing on policy evaluation and worker conditions.
• Utilize advanced qualitative and quantitative techniques to analyze complex datasets from surveys and administrative sources.
• Create accessible research outputs such as reports, briefs, and presentations for diverse audiences.
• Establish and enforce high standards for research methods, ethical protocols, and quality control.
• Adopt worker-centered research practices, including participatory methods and feedback loops.
• Advise internal teams on research design and analysis strategies.
• Forge and maintain partnerships with academic and policy research institutions.
• Supervise and mentor the research team, overseeing budgets and resource management.
• Collaborate with development teams on grant writing and research project financials.
• Ensure research insights effectively inform NDWA initiatives.

Qualifications

• PhD preferred in economics, sociology, public policy, or related social sciences.
• At least five years conducting policy-relevant mixed methods research.
• Expertise in quasi-experimental methods and handling large datasets.
• Proven experience as principal investigator for complex research projects.
• Experience in implementing research protocols within community-based contexts.
• Proficient in statistical software tools like Stata or R.

Leadership and Collaboration Skills

• Track record managing and mentoring research personnel, fostering data literacy and analytic skills.
• Outstanding communication with ability to collaborate effectively internally and externally.
• Experience maintaining academic and community research partnerships.
• Ability to translate complex research findings for diverse stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills to handle multiple simultaneous projects.

Values and Understanding

• Deep understanding of issues impacting domestic workers.
• Commitment to worker-centered research approaches and economic, racial, and gender justice.
• Experienced working collaboratively in diverse and fast-paced remote environments.

Additional Information

• Spanish language skills are advantageous.
• Willingness to travel if required.

Employment Details: This is a permanent, full-time, remote position reporting to the Vice President of Policy & Advocacy. The salary range is $96,913 to $101,340, commensurate with experience.

Equal Opportunity: NDWA is committed to equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination across all aspects of employment. This is a union-covered position and NDWA participates in the E-Verify program.