[Boston, MA. Political Research Associates] Assistant Research Director: Reproductive Justice, Gender, and Sexuality Program
Political Research Associates
Assistant Research Director: Reproductive Justice, Gender, and Sexuality Program
You are an experienced researcher, analyst, and writer who believes in the power of research to inform social justice advocacy. You take the threat of the Christian Right seriously and are committed to informing winning strategies to block theocracy and advance reproductive justice and LGBTQI justice. You have strong relationships to movement groups fighting for reproductive justice and an aptitude for intersectional analysis. Racial and economic justice are core commitments and elemental to your understanding of gender justice. You have experience working as a senior researcher/strategist and manager. Big ideas and even bigger challenges excite you. Your research and writing chops, knowledge about the Christian Right, and relationships with the reproductive justice field have prepared you to lead PRA’s Reproductive Justice, Gender, and Sexuality team.
Position Description
Political Research Associates is a progressive think tank devoted to supporting movements that are building a more just and inclusive democratic society. We expose movements, institutions, and ideologies that undermine human rights.
The Assistant Research Director for the Reproductive Justice, Gender, and Sexuality Program supervises 3-5 staff researchers, fellows, and contract researchers. The position provides intellectual, strategic, and programmatic leadership, manages ongoing research projects, cultivates collaboration with advocacy partners, and—with support from our communications team—influences news media and opinion leaders. The Assistant Research Director proposes strategic priorities, research plans, and social justice movement collaborations focusing on the Religious and Secular Right’s strategies to curtail reproductive health, rights and LGBTQI justice. Roughly 70% of the job falls into these leadership areas, with another 25-30% dedicated to the Assistant Research Director’s own research/writing/education focus. The position reports to the Research Director and works closely with the Assistant Research Director for Racial and Immigrant Justice.
The Assistant Research Director’s key responsibilities include:
- Lead work to expand our knowledge of the Right’s strategies to limit reproductive justice, rights, and access, impose gender conformity/uniformity, and undo legal wins for LGBTQ individuals and families; research the Christian Right and understand intersections and collaborations with other sectors of the Right; and to support the building of an intersectional resistance agenda.
- Supervise and mentor research team, enabling them to devise applicable research projects and complete writing assignments in a timely fashion.
- Develop and maintain ongoing productive relationships with organizing and advocacy groups in order to improve the quality and impact of both our and their work, and ensure wider distribution and utilization of PRA research.
- Prepare and execute convenings, presentations, briefings, trainings, strategy discussions, etc., to support movement partners in deepening their understanding, analysis, and strategy on issues of gender, sexuality, and reproductive justice.
- With support from the Research Director, develop and implement annual programmatic goals and priorities for the Reproductive Justice, Gender, and Sexuality program and contribute to program team goals and priorities.
- Generate and oversee the production of high-quality research products for publication in various PRA and external outlets, including The Public Eye magazine, printed reports, and online content. Participate in peer/outside review of content in the area of gender and reproductive justice.
- Partner with the Development Director in developing proposals, briefing funders, and reporting on program outcomes and impact.
- Represent PRA in a professional manner, consistent with our mission and strategic plan, both within the organization and in public. Work with communications and research staff to implement appropriate media/communications strategy for the research area and participate in press interviews as needed.
Qualifications:
- The equivalent of 7-10 years demonstrated experience researching and writing on the U.S. Right, the Christian Right, and Reproductive Justice.
- Deep knowledge of the social justice movements and organizing and advocacy groups in the reproductive justice field and familiarity with LGBTQI justice issues.
- Strong management and supervisory experience and desire to lead an intergenerational team of researchers
- Critical and creative thinking demonstrated through excellent research and analysis
- Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills
- Proven efficacy managing projects and deadlines
- Strong verbal communication, presentation, and facilitation skills
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
- Passion for social justice and commitment to the vision and mission of PRA; and
- Willingness to learn new skills.
Benefits
How To Apply
To apply please send a cover letter, resume, and a writing sample to car...@politicalresearch.org. Position is open until filled.
Political Research Associates is committed to hiring someone with the right mix of experience (both traditional and nontraditional), political commitment, and potential to grow with us. We strongly encourage people from communities most negatively affected by right-wing ideologies & campaigns to apply, particularly: people of color; immigrants; women and feminine-identified people; lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, and Two-Spirit people; genderqueer, trans, intersex, and gender non-conforming people.