The Center for Evaluation Innovation (CEI) is seeking an enthusiastic and self-motivated individual to join our team as a full-time Associate. Founded in 2009 and based in downtown Washington D.C., CEI is a nonprofit that believes evaluation can be a powerful tool for supporting social change efforts in achieving better and faster results.

CEI works directly with foundations across the country who support nonprofits, and with other evaluators, to advance the practice of evaluation and learning so that it makes a meaningful difference for those both funding and implementing social change efforts. We specialize in the evaluation of strategies that are challenging to assess and where traditional approaches to evaluation are not a good fit. These tend to be areas of high complexity and unpredictability, such as advocacy, policy, and systems change.

We focus primarily on the social sector in the U.S. We do not focus on particular content areas, but instead partner with foundations and evaluators focused on a wide range of topics from health to education to immigration reform to human rights and civic participation. Though some of CEI’s work includes conducting evaluations for foundation clients, the majority of our efforts are dedicated to studying, developing, and sharing new thinking and approaches to evaluation and learning. We do this through research, communications, network development, and convenings.

A core part of our work is managing the Evaluation Roundtable, a network of evaluation and learning leaders in more than 100 foundations in the US and Canada. We support the network with various offerings that include convenings and periodic research on the sector, with the intention of building the field of evaluation in philanthropy.

Position Description

The Center currently has three full-time staff—Julia Coffman, Founder and Director; Tanya Beer, Associate Director; and Kat Athanasiades, Senior Associate. Our staffing is intentionally lean, as we do a lot of our work in collaboration with other organizations and individuals working in our fields of interest. The Associate will be a fourth and critical member of our team, integrated into our work and working alongside us on our projects, as well as helping to keep projects timely and on track. Many of the Associate’s key responsibilities will be in support of our Evaluation Roundtable offerings.

Key responsibilities of the Associate include:

• Research focused on a variety of topics such as evaluation use in foundations and nonprofits, creative data collection approaches and methods, the application of evaluation findings and data to decision-making and organizational learning, etc.;
• Data collection and analysis activities such as interviews and survey creation, transcription of interviews, thematic analysis of interviews, and survey data analysis;
• Co-development and management of the Center’s communications and publications dissemination strategy;
• Writing, editing and presenting on evaluation approaches and learning practices;
• Tracking of (or participation in) evaluation and philanthropic networks;
• Support on organizing, attending, and conducting convenings;
• Project reporting and data visualization, such as drafting language for reports and other deliverables and depicting data in charts, tables, maps, etc.; and
• Support with project management and administration, such as managing timelines, reporting, expenses, travel, etc.
• Occasional travel

Benefits of this position include:

• Learning and Professional Development: Build knowledge and expertise about philanthropy, evaluation practices and methodologies, project management, and other topics;
• Networking: Meet and work directly with high-profile foundation and evaluation professionals around the country;
• Challenge: Work on a variety of projects in many different content areas and using many different skills;
• Collaboration: Be part of an experienced, highly professional team;
• Potential for growth: Take on an increasing level of project leadership, pursue areas of interest, and build your own public profile through independent writing and speaking engagements over time;
• Location: Great location in downtown Washington, D.C., two blocks from all major Metro lines;
• Benefits Package: The Associate is a full-time position, eligible for a complete benefits package, which includes health/medical/dental/vision insurance, SmartBenefits pre-tax commuting costs, and more!

Qualifications and Requirements

• Either a:
  • Master’s degree in evaluation, public administration, organizational learning, nonprofit management, philanthropy, or a related social science field; OR
  • Bachelor’s degree in a social science field (sociology, political science, anthropology, psychology, or related social science field) plus 1 to 2 years of work experience.
• Solid research abilities, organizational skills, and attention to detail required;
• Excellent communication skills, both spoken and written, are required;
• Technology skills, such as graphic design, video editing, or website design preferred;
• Data collection and analysis experience required (experience with online survey applications such as Zoomerang or Survey Monkey preferred; knowledge of SPSS and qualitative analysis software a plus);
• Experience with and knowledge of the social sector preferred;
• Ability and interest in developing culturally competent consulting skills (e.g., business development; client relationship development and management; project management; soft skills);
• Document layout, formatting, and production aptitude;
• Facility with Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint required (ability to use Macros in Excel a plus);
• Confidentiality with client information required.

All applicants should be able to multi-task, meet deadlines and client schedules, and have a flexible, practical approach to helping our funders and partners. Our team is small, so applicants should be comfortable with working independently and assisting with organizational management tasks. Although the position will be based out of CEI’s office in Washington, D.C., some travel will likely be required. The Center for Evaluation Innovation is an Equal Opportunity Employer that seeks diverse candidates and offers a competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with experience.

Applications are due June 15, 2018. Please submit a resume and cover letter to Kat Athanasiades at [email protected]. We aim to fill the position no later than September 1, 2018.