The role of Research Assistant is a flexible contract position.
It will allow a young professional, graduate student, or skilled undergraduate interested in social change the opportunity to practice and learn a range of skills related to qualitative research methods as they are used in the measurement of social change projects.
The role will be largely virtual, with occasional in-person meetings with a project supervisor if the applicant lives in Seattle. Though the Research Assistant will have some scheduled work when surveying research subjects, work will be largely independent. Over the next four months, working time is not expected to exceed five (5) hours per week.
1. Job Description
September 2019
Research Assistant
Role
The role of Research Assistant is a flexible contract position.
It will allow a young professional, graduate student, or skilled undergraduate interested in
social change the opportunity to practice and learn a range of skills related to qualitative
research methods as they are used in the measurement of social change projects.
The role will be largely virtual, with occasional in-person meetings with a project supervisor
if the applicant lives in Seattle. Though the Research Assistant will have some scheduled
work when surveying research subjects, work will be largely independent. Over the next four
months, working time is not expected to exceed five (5) hours per week.
Tasks will fall into the following areas:
• Qualitative Data Collection: Support the project supervisor in carrying out work
related to impact measurement, such as surveying stakeholders from a script.
• Research Coordination: Support project supervisor in scheduling these interviews
with research subjects, as well as other logistics tasks.
• Qualitative Data Analysis: Help the project supervisor analyze results and draw initial
conclusions by creating bulleted lists of findings or writing first drafts.
• Deliverable Feedback: Provide a “second set of eyes” on project deliverables, such
as proposals and reports, to proofread and provide input on clarity.
• Client Meetings: Support the project supervisor on video, phone, and occasional in-
person meetings (if local) to provide additional insight.
Skills and Competencies
The applicant must have the following research skills:
• Basic Empiricism: Experience seeking information from primary sources and using
those sources to draw evidence-based conclusions (four-year social science degree a
plus).
• Detail Orientation: Good at granular analysis, enjoy getting into the “nitty-gritty.”
The applicant must have the following interpersonal skills:
• Responsiveness: Prompt communication through virtual tools such as SMS, video
calls, and/or email, with messages responded to within the business day.
• Punctuality: Meetings and assignments occur and are delivered on time.
• Self-Management: Excellent ability to complete tasks without direct supervision.
Mary Joyce • Do Big Good LLC • 220 2nd Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104 • dobiggood.com
2. The applicant may have the following skills and values, though they are not required:
• Qualitative Research Methods: Experience with content analysis, semi-structured
interviewing, case study research, focus groups, and/or other means of analyzing
human behavior through non-numeric traces.
• Social Change Work: Understanding and experience with methods of activism,
advocacy, and public service, such as policy work and/or movement organizing.
Compensation
Compensation is based on an hourly rate of $30 per hour. It is paid on a monthly basis when the
Research Assistant is working on a project. (The Research Assistant will not receive pay when
not working on a specific project.)
Though Do Big Good, LLC does not provide benefits, the Projects Assistant will receive an
additional 15% per hour to support the purchase of health and dental insurance or other
benefits as determined by the applicant.
How to Apply
Email your résumé to Mary Joyce at mary@dobiggood.com. Use the body of the email as a
cover letter to explain why you are interested in the position and feel you are a strong fit.
About Do Big Good
Do Big Good, LLC is a consulting firm dedicated to helping its clients adaptively maximize the
efficacy of their social change work through the development of evidence-based social impact
measurement systems.
Based in Seattle, Do Big Good works with individuals, nonprofits, foundations, and firms around
the world.
We seek a diverse applicant pool. People of color, trans, queer, and gender nonconforming
people, people from poor and working class backgrounds, immigrants, people with disabilities,
and women are encouraged to apply.*
More at dobiggood.com .
Do Big Good LLC • 220 2nd Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104 • dobiggood.com
* Drawn from AORTA’s “Hiring: Building The Team You Want” (2015)