Job Description

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Position Description

Are you passionate about evaluation as a tool for social change? Do you care about leading meaningful evaluations that give decision makers the information they need to learn and grow? 

The Center for Research Evaluation (CERE) at the University of Mississippi is recruiting a full-time Evaluation Associate to help us lead creative, meaningful evaluations across the state and the nation. 

As an Evaluation Associate you will design and manage evaluation projects under the direction of the center director and Senior Evaluation Associates. You will also manage day-to-day relationships with our clients, dedicating time to building the strong, trusting relationships that lay the groundwork for evaluation use.

Our Ideal Candidate

We are looking for Evaluation Associates who are comfortable with quantitative and qualitative research/evaluation methodologies and has experience with a wide range of evaluation approaches. We’re also looking for a creative, analytical thinker who can critically analyze an evaluation context, match evaluation needs to evaluation methods, while also finding innovative ways to answer important questions in unique circumstances. Applicants who are highly skilled in a wide range of data analysis techniques are encouraged to apply. 

As an organization we want to make evaluation as easy as possible for our clients. So, we’re looking for Evaluation Associates who have the people skills to build strong and trusting relationships; who can talk about evaluation findings to nontechnical audiences; and can also create simple reports that translate complex data into meaningful insights for busy clients. At CERE, our mission is to support meaningful social change, so we are looking for candidates who can facilitate data-informed conversations in support of that goal.

We are primarily seeking Evaluation Associates who can manage K-12 and higher education evaluation projects; however, the candidate may also be asked to take on evaluation projects in other content areas (e.g., community development, community wellbeing). Our Evaluation Associates typically work on 5-6 evaluation projects at any given time, so should be comfortable managing multiple projects—and willing to take on work in new and unfamiliar content areas. 

We especially seek candidates with diverse experiences and backgrounds—and who have experience in, and are interested in contributing to evaluations that explore issues of diversity and inclusion.

Examples of Work Performed

Evaluation Associates manage evaluation and applied research projects under the direction of the Director or other senior staff members. The primary purpose of the Evaluation Associate role is to translate evaluation designs into practice and manage day-to-day evaluation activities, ensuring that we deliver high quality, technically sound and useful evaluations for our clients. 

Towards that goal, Evaluation Associates:

• Manage evaluation and applied research projects

• Develop evaluation plans that translate evaluation designs into practice 

• Project manage all aspects of research/evaluation projects, coordinating all evaluation tasks to ensure effective and timely implementation 

• Develop logic models / theories of change

• Conduct relevant literature reviews to ensure evaluation designs, tools and approaches are aligned with best practice in the field 

• Design data collection methods and tools

• Collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative data using a range of methods 

• Manage day-to-day client relationships 

• Develop reports and other communication tools to communicate evaluation findings and facilitate learning and use 

• Assure (and support) our Graduate Students to conduct high-quality work 

The candidate would be expected to work from the Oxford campus. Successful candidates may also be expected to travel (typically throughout the United States or Mississippi) approximately 10-20% of the time. 

Minimum Qualifications

1. Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in an appropriate field (e.g., Measurement, Evaluation, Psychology, Public Health, Education, Political Science, etc.). 
2. Demonstrated ability to manage high-quality evaluations that are practically useful for clients and/or community groups.
3. Demonstrated ability to perform core evaluation functions—including developing logic models/theories of change, developing robust data collection tools, conducting a range of qualitative and quantitative data analysis and preparing clear communication tools such as evaluation reports. 
4. Demonstrated project management experience in the context of program evaluation. 
5. Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong, trusting relationships with evaluation clients and community organizations/members.

Interview Requirements: 
Any candidate who is called for an interview must notify the Department of Equal Opportunity/Regulatory Compliance in writing of any reasonable accommodation needed prior to the date of the interview.

Application Procedures

If you’d like to join our team, please send us your resume along with a cover letter that describes how and why you think this role might be a good fit for you; what you would bring to this role; and what you would like to learn during your time in the role. 

For additional information and to apply, please go to . Questions may be directed to Dr. George Rutherford search committee chair, at glruther@olemiss.edu . 

Background Check Statement

The University of Mississippi is committed to providing a safe campus community. UM conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.

EEO Statement

The University of Mississippi provides equal opportunity in any employment practice, education program, or education activity to all qualified persons. The University complies with all applicable laws regarding equal opportunity and affirmative action and does not unlawfully discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based upon race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information.

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