Deputy Research Director - (Contractual)

Position Overview

Information in this statement is NOT intended to be all-encompassing or to address all responsibilities of the position.

The lllinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) houses a Research & Analysis Unit (R&A) that is organized into six research centers, each supporting distinct research functions and/or justice system research topic areas. Collectively, the six centers conduct research and evaluation designed to inform justice system policy discussions and planning efforts (for more information see the ICJIA website). R&A is currently expanding and, in conjunction with expansion, planning for unit-wide changes designed to improve the unit’s public profile. R&A seeks a Deputy Research Director to assist with these changes. The selected candidate will: (1) advise research center managers, helping to guide progress on key projects, (2) develop policies, guides, and trainings designed to assist junior researchers, (3) assist the Research Director in implementing unit-wide change. If desired, the selected candidate may independently manage projects. Overall, the position provides an excellent opportunity to engage in high-level strategizing that results in organizational change.

Job Responsibilities

1. Advising five center managers (biweekly meetings, assessment of project progress, brainstorming issues, developing publication plans, addressing needs and concerns);
2. Direct management of large justice system projects;
3. Initiating new projects upon request and providing advisement on their scope, direction, and budgets;
4. Attending numerous internal and external meetings (meetings to move projects forward, address ad hoc issues that arise, address topics that are initiated through email but cannot be easily addressed through written communication, meetings that do not directly involve the Research Director but an invitation is provided based on professional acquaintances or the nature of the Research Director position) that are either initiated by the Research Director or offered by invitation; scheduling all meetings with no administrative assistance;
5. Developing research-based and operational policies, guides, and trainings.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Requires a master’s degree in a social science discipline (including, but not limited to, criminal justice / criminology, sociology, psychology, economics, or political science), data science, public policy, or social work.
2. Requires at least one year in a leadership role that required organizational decision-making designed to improve operations including, but not limited to, developing policies and procedures, managing and supporting organizational change, identifying and implementing strategies for process improvement.    
3. Requires experience leading at least one project team of three or more persons in a professional capacity on a project lasting six months or longer and involving multiple stakeholders. 

Preferred Qualifications

1. Prefers at least two years of experience conducting social science research, to include participation of development of research designs, data collection/acquisition, and data analysis.  
2. Prefers at least two years of experience in a direct supervisory role involving supervision of two or more staff members. 
3. Prefers experience facilitating at least one work group with responsibilities for ensuring that the group meets its goals. 
4. Prefers a Project Management Institute (PMI) Certification or similar project management training credentials. 
5. Prefers experience developing one or more organizational policies designed to guide and clarify organizational activities. 

Conditions of Employment

1.  Must be able to pass a background check.