About NBWJI

The National Black Women’s Justice Institute (NBWJI) aims to eliminate racial and gender disparities in the U.S. criminal-legal system that are responsible for its disproportionate impact on Black women, girls, and gender-expansive people. We engage in rigorous research and capacity building in order to transform the current system and promote policy change that centers and uplifts the voices and experiences of system-impacted Black women, girls, and gender-expansive people. Through our work, we seek to dismantle the punitive paradigm driving the U.S. criminal-legal system and build in its place pathways to healing and opportunity. At NBWJI, we envision a society where healing—not punishment—is upheld as justice.

What you’ll do

NBWJI is hiring a research assistant who is passionate about research and using empirical data to drive policy and practice. The Research Assistant will be a part of the Research & Advocacy team, and will be involved in all aspects of the research and evaluation process (e.g., literature review, data collection, data entry and management, data analysis, and report writing). The Research Assistant will contribute research to new and ongoing projects and initiatives, programming, and policy analysis.

The ideal candidate is committed to using research, analysis, and evaluation to improve outcomes for system-impacted Black women and girls. While quantitative and/or qualitative research expertise is not required, this person has a foundational understanding of research methods and approaches, including familiarity and/or experience with participatory approaches to research. The ideal candidate is also detail oriented and has strong project coordination skills and experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide general support and coordination for multiple research and advocacy projects, including scheduling and preparing for meetings, taking notes, communicating with team members and external partners about project activities, updating work plans, and assisting with reporting

• Conduct literature reviews and scans of relevant research and analysis

• Assist with participant recruitment, including outreach and design of recruitment materials

• Assist with quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, including but not limited to  data entry, cleaning and organizing data, administering questionnaires, note taking, scheduling, coding, and descriptive analyses

• Filing, including questionnaires, consent forms, and other research related documentation

• Full participation in regular meetings of the NBWJI team, providing updates and contributing to discussion as necessary

• Performing other tasks and duties reasonably related to job responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated interest in social justice issues

• Basic understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods

• Excellent attention to detail and organization

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team

• Strong time management skills

• Strong organizational, multi-tasking, and prioritizing skills

• Strong writing and verbal communication skills

• Demonstrated understanding of intersectionality and its application to NBWJI’s work

• Demonstrated sensitivity to engaging individuals from vulnerable populations or organizations that serve individuals from those populations

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) and Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets)

• Previous experience working in a nonprofit or as a research assistant is a plus

• BA/BS in psychology, public policy, sociology, or related social science field is a plus

Salary and benefits: The position offers a salary in the range of $50,000 to $60,000, commensurate with experience. Employees also receive a benefits package including health coverage, short and long-term disability, and paid time off. The position is full-time (FLSA: Non-Exempt).

Equal Opportunity Employment. The National Black Women’s Justice Institute provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to race/ethnicity, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, national origin, age, criminal history, or disability. People who are directly impacted by the criminal legal system are encouraged to apply.

To Apply: Submit a statement of interest, your resumé, and a relevant work sample you are proud of to this link.