Research Analyst, Vera Louisiana

About the team:
Vera's work in New Orleans began in 2006, when the City Council invited Vera to assess the criminal justice system and propose reforms as part of post-Katrina recovery efforts. Since then, Vera has become a nexus for advancing evidence-based reform and has demonstrated that change is not only possible but within reach. In partnership with people leading and working in the local justice system, city leaders, and community organizations, we are working to end unnecessary detention and develop innovative, collaborative projects that improve the delivery of justice in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and throughout Louisiana.
About the role:
Vera Louisiana is seeking a full-time Research Analyst to provide a wide range of support for ongoing projects, including jail population reduction, increasing investment in thriving communities, and addressing Louisiana’s carceral impact at the parish and state level. The Research Analyst will be supervised primarily by the Associate Director of Research (ADR) with support and mentorship from the Senior Research Associate and will support completion of a variety of quantitative and qualitative research projects with other staff. This position will provide an opportunity to gain knowledge and experience in applied social justice research, in using research to advance advocacy goals, and in criminal legal systems in New Orleans and other parts of Louisiana. The Research Analyst will work primarily on qualitative research projects, which require independent coding and analysis, will have the opportunity to support and develop skills in qualitative coding and analysis, and will also occasionally perform tasks beyond research-specific assignments, including some advocacy and administrative work.
The Research Analyst collaborates with team members to advance project or initiative goals, by actively engaging in team meetings and program activities, and supports efforts to ensure Vera’s race equity and inclusion priorities are a core aspect of Vera’s research, including in methodological approaches, publications, hiring and staffing, and external and internal research communications.
1. Data collection, management, and analysis
Support in-person data collection under the supervision of senior research staff
Clean, code, and manage data (quant and/or qual) and codebooks, instruments, or other research materials
Support quantitative and/or qualitative analysis of data and/or write up of methods and results
Field rapid response data requests from team members and external partners, including quickly producing statistics or identifying and sharing existing research to provide evidence in support of advocacy materials and more
2. Write up/presentation of research
Conduct background research and compile materials, including literature reviews
Prepare, format, and draft portions of reports, slide decks, factsheets, and other products
Prepare qualitative and/or quantitative data, statistics, background research, and data visualizations for reports and other products
3. Administrative Tasks
Support in planning, preparing for, and taking notes at meetings, conference calls, webinars and conferences
Manage and respond to emails from external partners who work with Vera
Schedule and facilitate meetings
Data entry tasks, including creating, updating, and maintaining spreadsheets and databases
Support the logistical/event/research trip planning process as needed
4. Administrative Tasks
Support in planning, preparing for, and taking notes at meetings, conference calls, webinars and conferences
Manage and respond to emails from external partners who work with Vera
Schedule and facilitate meetings
Data entry tasks, including creating, updating, and maintaining spreadsheets and databases
Support the logistical/event/research trip planning process as needed
What qualifications are we looking for?
Required:
Bachelor’s degree social science, statistics, or computer science + up to 3 years of relevant experience. In lieu of a Bachelor’s degree, applicable work or life experience may be considered.
Preferred:
Experience using mixed methods research in applied settings
Experience creating data visualizations or infographi