February 15, 2022 — The RI Council for the Humanities (also known as the Humanities Council) seeks a Data Consultant for a twelve-week contract to assist with the Council’s Civic Health Index initiative.
Funded in part by the nationwide “A More Perfect Union” initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Rhode Island Civic Health Index is an initiative to produce Rhode Island’s first-ever Civic Health Index—a data-based analysis of the status of the state’s civic health. The Humanities Council is partnering with the Congressionally-commissioned National Conference on Citizenship to establish the Index, drawing on established indicators from the US Census’s Current Population Survey; existing data from other sources; and new data and perspectives collected specifically for the Index. To ensure the representation of a wide cross-section of Rhode Islanders, compensated community partners will shape the Index’s development, and then host Index-related events and activities for their communities.
Click here for a PDF of this opportunity.
To Apply:
Please send resume to scott@rihumanities.org by 5:00pm (EST) Thursday, February 24, 2022 with the subject “Data Consultant Application.” Please also provide a brief paragraph describing your interest and relevant experience in the body of the email.
Data Consultant Description and Deliverables:
The Data Consultant will lead the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data gathered for the Index. In collaboration with the Council’s Associate Director of Grants and Strategic Initiatives and project partners, specific responsibilities include:
- Analyzing and interpreting the existing US Census Current Population Survey data for Rhode Island;
- Soliciting, reviewing, and assessing additional relevant data sources;
- Developing an analysis plan for the project, including technical specifications to enable the research questions to be answered with the data, and data coding, cleaning, linking and other logistics;
- Along with Associate Director of Grants and Strategic Initiatives, co-leading three community partner meetings;
- Working with Council staff, institutional partners, and community partners to develop research questions and supplemental survey for circulation in Spring 2022;
- Managing the implementation and circulation of supplemental survey;
- Analyzing and interpreting the results of supplemental survey;
- Working with Council staff, institutional partners, and community partners to analyze and interpret all data sources and help to establish a narrative for the Civic Health Index;
- Communicating with Associate Director and project partners as needed, including weekly check-in meetings.
Experience and Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will have graduate and/or professional-level experience with managing and interpreting multiple data sets, as well as developing survey methodologies, and implementing and analyzing surveys. Additionally, the candidate will have strong interpersonal skills; be able to translate technical concepts and content to a general audience; and have a holistic understanding of issues of equity and bias in data collection and analysis. Experience in quantitative social science disciplines including sociology, political science, and public health will likely be relevant. A passion for civic engagement and community-based work is appreciated.
Schedule and Compensation:
The Consultancy will start Monday, March 7 and conclude Friday, May 27. Weekly hours will vary according to the workflow of the project. The majority of work will be conducted remotely. Any in-person activities will strictly adhere to COVID-19 guidelines established by the CDC and RIDOH. The consultant fee is $5,000, with access to funds for necessary travel and convening expenses.
About the Council:
The Rhode Island Council for the Humanities seeds, supports, and strengthens public history, cultural heritage, civic education, and community engagement by and for all Rhode Islanders. For 47 years, the Council has cultivated diverse expressions of the public humanities through vital and innovative public programs, research, and media projects that have reached millions of people in Rhode Island and beyond. The Humanities Council is a catalyst for engagement with our state’s remarkable history and culture, and believes in the power of the humanities community to inspire and improve Rhode Island. The Council was founded in 1973 as an independent state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. A private nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, the Council is supported by federal and private funds.
The Rhode Island Council for the Humanities is committed to diversity and seeks candidates who represent the diversity of the state, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, cultural background, and socioeconomic stratum.
