The research analyst is primarily responsible for the execution of short-term research studies and actively participates in the execution of the main research initiatives identified as priorities for NAIS members. In addition, the research analyst leads the creation of data analysis reports to help members better understand their markets and make strategic decisions.
To accomplish these responsibilities, the research analyst evaluates and selects the most appropriate research methods, gathers and analyzes information relevant to specific questions/issues and communicates findings through written reports or presentations.
At NAIS, we are passionate about education and the work that we do to advance it. We are customer-focused and always strive for excellence. We work collaboratively and value creativity and initiative. We foster empathy, flexibility, and cultural competence. As an integral part of the NAIS staff, this position is expected to serve as an engaged and involved team member, supportive of the varied experiences and perspectives of internal and external colleagues; to support and actively build an office culture dedicated to superior customer service that exceeds customer expectations; and to work within the team and among teams to ensure that decisions are made to further the organization’s goals, particularly the goals of modeling multiculturalism and helping to build inclusive school communities.
Key Responsibilities Include:
Collects and analyzes data to write short-term studies on various topics, such as student outcomes and assessment, staff management, international recruitment, risk management, among others.
Participates in the research process of collecting, analyzing, and writing reports on topics that are identified as strategic priorities for NAIS members, such as parent perceptions and school selection, governance and leadership, student wellness, financial sustainability, among others.
Collects and analyzes data from DASL (NAIS’s data collection system) and external sources (U.S. Census, Department of Education, think tanks, etc.) to help members better understand the dynamics of their local markets. Presents findings in the form of reports, articles, and/or presentations.
Creates, conducts, and analyze internal surveys for NAIS teams when necessary.
Supports the Vice President of SIRT in the management of project logistics, including drafting and reviewing project outlines/contracts, maintaining distribution/billing lists, uploading documents to the website, and organizing files in the SIRT intranet.
Writes articles for Independent School Magazine, as well as blog posts for the website.
Assumes other responsibilities as assigned by the VP for SIRT.
Travel is required for this position, 4-10% of the year
The Ideal Candidate Will Have the Following Competencies:
Analytical Thinking
Integrates information from diverse sources, including in some cases large amounts of information.
Develops frameworks to guide analysis by describing the relationships among elements in the data and other sources of information.
Thinks ahead in deciding on the best course of action.
Attention to Detail
Identifies all relevant details in various documents.
Applies the highest standards for accuracy and quality for his/her work.
Establishes processes to ensure the accuracy and quality of his/her work.
Fostering Communication
Tailors communication (e.g., content, style and medium) to diverse audiences.
Reads cues from diverse listeners to assess when and how to change the planned communication approach to effectively deliver the message.
Communicates with all organizational levels.
Information Gathering and Processing
Synthesizes data from multiples sources.
Interprets information to reach logical conclusions and/or identify significant trends or patterns.
Makes complex inferences using general background knowledge and contextual information.
Assists others in discerning and comparing critical information.
Technical Capability
Follows standard procedures, where applicable, for common tasks.
Applies technical knowledge and skills in a range of typical situations, with minimal or no guidance.
Seeks support from senior staff when encountering atypical issues.
The Ideal Candidate Will Have the Following Background:
Bachelor’s degree required in economics, statistics, or related field
One to three years of experience in supporting a research program; designing research instruments, and analyzing and writing research reports
Proficiency in Excel, and/or other statistical reporting tools, such as R, STATA, SAS, SPSS, etc.
Knowledge of independent schools (preferred)
Ability to handle multiple tasks/activities simultaneously while maintaining quality
Ability to work independently while still being an effective, contributing team member
Ability to serve on a geographically dispersed team
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; able to adapt and learn new software and web-based systems
Excellent customer service skills
Excellent organizational and time-management skills
Travel is required
This position is located in our Washington, DC office.
Internal Number: 1902RESAN
About National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) is a nonprofit membership association that provides services to more than 1,800 schools and associations of schools in the United States and abroad, including more than 1,500 independent private K-12 schools in the U.S. To learn more about NAIS, current openings, and benefits, please visit www.nais.org/jobs.
