Research Assistant; ORS

ORS Impact is a consulting firm that helps clients clarify, measure, and align around their social impact outcomes using evaluation, outcomes-based strategy and planning, theory of change, and MLE planning and implementation. We support philanthropies, nonprofits, and government agencies in their most challenging and complex work with our expertise in advocacy and policy change, networks and coalitions, systems change, and initiatives and strategies.

“Impact” is not just part of our name: it is a core value for why we do this work. Implicit in this value is the belief that the world can be more equitable, that accelerating social progress will lead to better lives for everyone.

These statements, however, do not explicitly address the systems of power that grant privilege and access unequally, particularly based on race, but also based on age, sexual orientation, gender, immigration status, or disability. These systems underlie the issues our clients seek to address and can be perpetuated and strengthened even as well-intentioned people seek to make positive social change.

We believe that diversity makes us stronger. We believe that all people are equal and that holding some groups of people down holds all of us down. We believe that these issues are complex and that we will stumble in our efforts. However, the goal of a more just, fair, and inclusive society requires changing how we work together, how we work with clients, and proactively finding ways for our organization to make a difference in the fight for a more equitable world.

The Research Assistant provides an important coordination role at ORS Impact. Research Assistants are an integral part of our consulting teams and work closely with Project Directors, Consultants, Research Analysts and clients to promote smooth delivery of our services and also contribute to consultation activities. S/he/they will spend most of their time on billable client work, though some time will also be spent on community of practice with ORS Impact colleagues, and internal activities (e.g., staff meetings, etc.).

We take pride in our evolving expertise on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work with our clients and in our efforts to create an internal culture that welcomes a variety of perspectives from colleagues representing various cultures, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, religions and socio-economic backgrounds. We strive to provide ongoing career growth opportunities for all of our team members and the Research Assistant will be provided professional development opportunities that are aligned with the skill set for the Research Analyst track.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

Provide Internal Coordination Support to Project Teams

• Coordinate project work plans and timelines: with Project Director, develop work plan; maintain work plan documentation over the life of the project; proactively track timeframe and deadlines for implementing project/contract activities; communicate closely with the Project Director to support timely implementation and deliverables.
• Support internal team communication to document and share internal meeting notes, decisions or other logistics.

Support Consultative Work as Part of Project Teams

• Prepare client-ready work products, including meeting agendas, meetings materials, and other products and deliverables, such as Word documents and PowerPoint presentations.
• Support ongoing communication with clients and other stakeholders, including pre-meeting (e.g., agenda, pre-reads, logistics) and follow-up (meeting notes, action items, next steps) and schedule meetings with internal and external teams, clients, and other contacts.
• Serve as primary point of contact for client and sample population for data collection efforts.
• Document meetings, work sessions or other interactions with clients and produce client-ready products at the direction of the Project Director.
• Conduct and document background research.
• Support data collection, including: supporting development of data collection tools; scheduling interviews; conducting interviews and observational assessments; setting up and…