The National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA), founded in 1911, is America’s oldest and largest nonprofit association devoted to excellence in delivering legal services to those who cannot afford counsel. For 100 years, NLADA has pioneered access to justice at the national, state, and local level through our work on access to justice for criminal and civil matters.  Our work has influenced the creation of groundbreaking legislation and institutions, from the Sentencing Project to the Legal Services Corporation. A leader in developing national standards for indigent defense services, NLADA also provides advocacy, training, and technical assistance to indigent defense programs nationwide.  

NLADA serves three interconnected member communities – civil legal aid, public defense, and clients/community advocates. The Director of Community Research will play a significant role in supporting the development and execution of actionable research agendas in partnership with all three communities. This role will also support the training and coaching of members to engage meaningfully in working within their communities to identify and research pressing needs that will advance equal justice and racial equity. The Director should have experience with both mixed-methods research and community-based initiatives.

NLADA’s dissemination vehicles include the NLADA website, an online learning management system, monthly training events, and partnerships with other nonprofit organizations and companies with shared values. This role will contribute to national community engagement and participatory action research conversations.

The Director of Community Research should have expertise in equitable evaluation and/or culturally responsive approaches to creating and using data, and experience working closely with those directly impacted by the criminal and civil legal systems.  The Director should have experience applying an equity lens to research. This role:

• Centers equity principles when engaging practitioners and communities and co-           creating measurement, learning, and evaluation tools throughout all project phases.

• Elevates and centers the values, voices, and experiences of those most impacted by research and program work.

• Identifies and analyzes how institutional, systemic, structural, or historical factors contribute to disparities and examines strategies to improve outcomes of historically marginalized communities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

The statements below describe the scope of this position's responsibility and essential functions but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements.  The individual may perform other duties, including work in other areas.

• Ensures NLADA meets its strategic goals in research as articulated in the mission and strategic framework.
• Assists in proposal writing, fund development, and developing an internal project evaluation structure.
• Conducts participatory action research (PAR).
• Trains partners in PAR methods and practices.
• Collects data and other documentation of internal and external projects and creates reports for the board of directors, funders, and other partners.
• Participates in collaborative activities and projects, including public events, workshops, and trainings.
• Co-leads research teams, which may include interns, fellows, and community partner groups.
• Establishes and retains a variety of research partnerships with external agencies.
• Manages multiple contracts at once for research projects, including earned income and fees for service agreements, grants, and other research partnership-related contracts.
• Manages an annual budget and monitors grant deliverables and reports.
• Creates and builds on PAR training curricula based on best practices in research, community engagement, and partnerships.
• Maintain partnerships with various constituents, including funders, nonprofit leadership, community members, and others.
• Responsible for recruiting research participants, conducting interviews, focus groups, and surveys.
• Supervise interns and/or fellows as needed.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This position may require supervisory responsibilities, including project management and coordination among relevant NLADA staff members.

• Ph.D. required
• Must be able to travel as required. 
• Strong commitment to the mission and goals of NLADA.
• Demonstrated experience with evaluation, strategy, learning, training, capacity building, and/or performance measurement; demonstrated experience leading work in equitable evaluation and/or culturally responsive approaches and/or participatory research.
• Extensive knowledge of how to center equity in working with communities impacted by criminal and/or civil legal systems.
• Experience designing and conducting research to support advocacy, community/political organizing, and strategic communications.
• Critical analysis of the evidence bases for effective practices, programs, and interventions.
• Demonstrated commitment to anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion through prior work.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including experience facilitating meetings, adult learning sessions, and communicating research findings to non-technical audiences.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including a demonstrated ability to deal tactfully and diplomatically with clients and community members and to lead a team with collaborators, including subcontractors and consultants, to work toward improving defined outcomes.
• Evidence of successful business development activities with government, foundations, and/or the corporate sector.
• Experience analyzing raw data to inform policy.

• Expertise in a statistical program, including experience dealing with large, complex data sets and utilizing advanced analytical skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to work on multiple projects effectively and efficiently, both independently and collaboratively with a team.
• Ability to work with partnering organizations to achieve tangible results.

Work Schedule

• Local candidates to the DMV and immediate surrounding areas highly preferred;
• Hybrid role
• Must be available between 9:00 am – 5:30 pm ET work schedule via Zoom, Teams, and other similar platforms. 

How We Support Staff

• Free individual Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance for employee coverage, reduced rates for family coverage, and a health care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Employer-provided life insurance policy and Short-Term and Long-term disability benefits
• Wellness support, to include paid sick leave, Family Medical Leave Act, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Paid time off, to include recognition of all federal holidays, a paid day off on months without a federal holiday, and is closed the week between December 24th and January 1st

Salary Information

The salary range for this position is $125,000.00 annually.

Additional Information

NLADA is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity for all persons without regard to race, creed, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, political affiliation, disability, pregnancy, personal appearance, marital or family status, or any other status protected by District of Columbia and Federal laws. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.