[NFBWATLK] Job posting

Tue Jan 1 20:55:22 UTC 2019

American Foundation for the Blind

Director of Research

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is creating a world of no limits
for people who are blind or visually impaired. We mobilize leaders, advance
understanding, and champion impactful policies and practices using research
and data.  

Career Opportunity:

The American Foundation for the Blind is seeking a Director of Research to
work in its DC Metro Office located in Arlington, VA. AFB's Public Policy
Center collaborates with policy makers in Congress and the Executive Branch
to ensure Americans with vision loss have equal rights and opportunities to
fully participate in society. The position reports to the Chief Public
Policy and Research Officer.  The successful candidate will direct and
manage the formulation and implementation of AFB's research to inform AFB's
public policy agenda and to direct research projects related to AFB's
mission and strategy. Provide leadership, administrative oversight and staff
supervision for the Research Department. Serve as senior advisor on research
strategy and methodology.

Accountabilities:

Provides strategic leadership and direction for the proposal, development
and execution of research projects including (but not limited to) scientific
and policy research, demographic studies, and program evaluation. Ensures
that research design meets the standards for professional publication and
positions AFB as an authority on issues related to employment, aging and
education of individuals who are blind or visually impaired.  Offers expert
guidance to cross-organizational staff undertaking research-related
activities. 

Serves as a leading AFB spokesperson, communicating data and research
findings both orally and in writing for lay and professional audiences (this
may include offering Congressional testimony or comments on proposed
regulations).  Serves as primary respondent to demographic and related
information requests, coordinating communication of responses with the
Public Policy and Research and other AFB groups and departments.

Presents original research and research-based knowledge through public
presentations, discipline-specific seminars, professional peer-reviewed
publications, and consultation. Provides leadership for the design and
delivery of research-related sessions and roundtable activities at AFB and
other sponsored events and via the Internet to foster discussion, debate,
and information sharing.  Identifies and promotes partnership opportunities
for conducting and disseminating research.

Supervises staff, adhering to AFB's policies and practices regarding
recruitment and orientation; communicating expectations, policies,
information, goals, mission, and strategy; supporting staff in areas of job
responsibilities, problem resolution, and benefits; identifying professional
development opportunities; ensuring policies and procedures compliance; and
addressing areas requiring American 

Director of Research

September 14, 2018

Page 2

Foundation for the Blind improvement and opportunities for rewards and
recognition. Develops and implements Public Policy internship programs.
Oversees interns and contractors. 

Participates with Public Policy and Resource Development teams to research
and identify potential federal, state and private funding sources for AFB
research. Working closely with Resource Development, writes grant proposals
and manages outside-funded projects (federal, state, or private), helping to
advance and implement AFB's research grants as assigned. Serves as principal
investigator and/or provides guidance to research staff serving as principal
investigator for AFB-administered research grants. Serves as grant peer
reviewer for federal agencies as appropriate and assigned. 

Works closely with the Chief Public Policy and Research Officer (CPPRO) to
develop and support the Public Policy & Research Advisory Board.
Participates in establishment of charter, goals, roles, responsibilities and
processes. Participates with CPPRO to monitor and measure effectiveness of
the board. Recruits and trains advisory board members. Attends advisory
board meetings to present information and answer questions. Attends
volunteer support team meetings as needed to represent advisory board action
items and information. Drafts plans that need review and approval by our
Institutional Review Board (IRB) related to AFB research activities. 

Maintains professional development in his or her discipline, research
techniques, and social and policy issues affecting people and services in
the vision loss and disability fields to integrate the "state of the art"
into AFB's research efforts. 

Carries out various administrative and intra-organizational collaboration
responsibilities, including developing and implementing departmental
performance plan objectives and budgets, participating in tactical meetings
and other AFB committees and working groups, communicating information and
vision through the department and organization, and ensuring departmental
compliance with all AFB policies and procedures. 

Performs other duties and special projects as assigned. 

Qualifications:

*	Doctoral degree in public policy, public administration or other
social science, education, public health, information science, or
disability-related field, with an emphasis on conducting disability-related
research. 
*	A minimum of 5 years of professional work in the candidates' subject
matter expertise or equivalent (that includes professional peer-reviewed
publication) required. Advanced experience in research design, experience
using mixed methods research, policy analysis and supervisory experience
required. Experience disseminating research results through academic
publications, written reports and public presentations to inform policy and
program development.

Director of Research

September 14, 2018

Page 3

*	Must possess demonstrable professional/academic proficiency in
research methods and policy analysis (including proficiency with SPSS/SAS
and related analytical and scientific software). Knowledge of and experience
in blindness, vision loss or disability research and studies required. 
*	Demonstrated exceptional speaking and writing skills including the
ability to present at venues such as conferences, seminars, trainings and
staff meetings. 
*	Ability to manage multiple competing priorities and projects
simultaneously in a fast-paced environment under deadlines necessary.  
*	Some travel required. 

Compensation: Commensurate with experience. 

AFB IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. AFB DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST
EMPLOYEES WITH DISABILITIES AND WE INVITE PROTECTED VETERANS TO APPLY.
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:
<https://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/fmlaen.pdf> Family and
Medical Leave Act (FMLA);  Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO);
<https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf>  and
Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA).
<https://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/eppabw.pdf> 

Interested parties, please email a Cover Letter, Resume/CV, Salary
Requirements to hr at afb.net <mailto:hr at afb.net> . 