Posted on October 29, 2009

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Director of Research and Evaluation

Organization Background

The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. NFTE provides entrepreneurship education programs to young people from low-income communities.

NFTE's strategy for achieving this mission is to form partnerships with schools, universities and community-based organizations, create innovative experiential curricula, train and support teachers and youth workers, and provide supportive alumni services. Since its founding in 1987, NFTE has reached over 230,000 students. NFTE has active programs in 22 states and 13 countries.

Position

Manage an innovative research and evaluation department that helps NFTE obtain evidence about its effectiveness and meet its potential for continuous improvement; supervise and contribute to internal evaluation and data collection efforts; coordinate external research and evaluation projects; and help to translate findings into organizational learning.

Responsibilities:

• Manage a research and evaluation department that oversees systematic data collection across NFTE's national and international sites, from students, teachers, program staff and other stakeholders, including but not limited to MIS data, student pre and post surveys, teacher surveys and logs, and teacher business plan rubric ratings.
• With internal stakeholders, plan strategic agenda for answering questions that will help strengthen NFTE's programs and work with staff to maximize utilization of information at the national and local levels.
• Coordinate and oversee external studies, working with external contractors on all phases of the projects (e.g. study direction, samples, timelines, budget, and reporting needs.) Coordinate meetings and serve as liaison with other NFTE staff, advisors, and project funders. Prepare grant proposals for additional funding for research and evaluation. Coordinate RFP processes as needed to obtain external contractors.
• With department staff, create and implement research analysis plans for internal data systems, including both quantitative and qualitative data. Create, adapt, and implement user-friendly reporting mechanisms. Design and implement additional instruments and data collection systems as needed.
• Prepare written reports and summaries of internal and external research and evaluation findings for various audiences.
• Supervise department staff, which includes a research associate and research manager.
• With department staff, provide technical support for sustaining and building site capacity for data collection, evaluation and appropriate and effective use of findings.
• Represent department where needed and participate in NFTE activities as required, make presentations to internal and external audiences, explain and build support for evaluation, review and manage external requests for carrying out research at NFTE. .
• Plan and manage department budget effectively. Create short- and long-term strategic plan for the department that is in line with NFTE's goals.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree with substantial experience in applied research/program evaluation.
• over eight years of professional experience, with at least four years working in research and evaluation.
• Experience supervising others, managing a department or major projects, collaborating with others, and working with external consultants and organizations.
• Knowledge of and demonstrated experience in quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods.
• Knowledge of and experience with organizational learning.
• Experience managing and writing grants.
• Interest in and commitment to entrepreneurial education for adolescents
• Ability to provide innovative leadership.
• Excellent writing, communications, interpersonal, organizational, and management skills.
• Ability to be flexible and work in fast-paced environment.
• Capacity to deal with ambiguity.

Position reports to the NFTE Vice President, Programs. Salary: Competitive, plus a potential for an annual performance bonus. Comprehensive benefits. No relocation expenses will be provided.

lease send cover letter and resume to hr@nfte.com.

NFTE is an equal opportunity employer, and encourages women and underrepresented minorities to apply.

Find out more by visiting the organization's web site»

Job Type: Research/Policy
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organizations