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POLICY RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
Job Title: POLICY RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
Job Code: 1614
FLSA: E
Job Level: 77
Revised Date: 03/01/2022
Job Family: JF 05
Occupational Summary
This position manages the day-to-day execution of complex Duke-Margolis research and policy projects and provides significant subject matter expertise within specific areas of health policy. In this content and project management-focused role, the Research Associate produces high- quality work products independently, demonstrates technical leadership and collaboration with other team members, and delegates project activities while consistently meeting internal and contractual deadlines. Primary responsibilities include management of complex research and policy activities to achieve project objectives; researching and analyzing complex health policy-focused topics, including conducting background research; drafting written products including summary documents, blog posts, peer-reviewed publications, and policy briefs; effectively engaging policymakers and other external stakeholders; and managing Center events and convenings.
Work Performed
Contribute significant subject matter expertise in specialized areas of health policy to the development of project design and approaches to achieve research goals. Areas of relevance in the health policy domain may include but are not limited to: biomedical innovation, medical product development, real-world data and evidence, regulatory science, medical device and pharmaceutical policy, healthcare delivery and payment reform, health equity, global health, health systems transformation, and the intersection of scientific and regulatory advancement with broader US health policy reforms.
Responsible for outlining and conceptualizing the content and structure of project deliverables.
Individually contribute to and manage the efforts of other project team members in drafting research and policy deliverables including white papers, issue briefs, blogs, and peer-reviewed publications. Activities may include substantive writing, analysis, and synthesis to achieve project and Center goals.
Produce high-quality written work products and deliverables. Evaluate and select appropriate sources of quantitative and/or qualitative data to achieve project objectives. Synthesize and translate complex information from a wide range of inputs into clear and accessible written material for a range of audiences. Review and provide editorial comments for project materials and documents drafted by other team members.
Prepare and edit a range of written materials and reports for principal investigators, senior researchers, executive staff, and external partners to support project development, provide recommendations and/or conclusions, and disseminate findings. Materials may include project progress reports, research papers, presentations, and other communications.
Monitor and analyze developments in specialized content areas. Identify those with the potential to affect the work of colleagues in other areas across the Center and share pertinent information across teams. Provide in-depth analysis of impacts to the health care system and/or health policy landscape to inform implications for current projects and/or future research direction.
Oversee day-to-day management of complex projects in areas of health policy expertise in collaboration with principal investigators and/or senior researchers. Coordinate and oversee internal project team activities to ensure research activities and deliverables are completed in accordance with the project plan, contractual requirements, Duke policies, and deadlines. Manage complex external sponsor and partner engagement.
Collaborate with Center executive leadership, faculty, principal investigators, and other senior staff to develop and implement work plans, deliverable content, research agendas, and timelines; coordinate execution of work by project teams. Contribute to content development through topic-focused policy research, preparatory analysis, and writing to craft clear and concise materials for stakeholder and expert review and response.
Track and manage progress to achieve project milestones, deliverables, and timeline goals through collaboration with colleagues, subcontractors/vendors, and external stakeholders. Coordinate internal and external communication as needed for team projects.
Work with principal investigators and/or senior researchers, executive leadership, and financial staff to ensure project activities are conducted within budget parameters.
Foster collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders, industry representatives, and policy professionals to support project execution, data collection, dissemination of findings, and develop opportunities for funding. Assist in the development of project concepts and preparation of funding proposals.
Mentor junior employees in management of work activities and development of content expertise.
Oversee design and implementation of a varied range of project convening events (e.g., expert roundtables, workshops, conference panels, seminars, large-scale public events). Collaborate with senior researchers and executive leaders on agenda development, identification and selection of panel participants, and content development.
Work collaboratively with events and communication teams to direct communication strategies and event management and planning.
Manage event execution and preparation including participant outreach, panel prep calls, pre-event materials, and follow-up.
Support senior and executive staff and collaborate with communications and events staff in disseminating project deliverables through the Duke- Margolis website, popular and trade press, peer-reviewed publications, and other venues.
Interact and coordinate communications with a broad range of external stakeholder groups and organizations.
Required Qualifications at this Level
Education/Training
Typically requires a Bachelor's degree in a field related to the position (e.g., policy, public health, public administration, economics, science, engineering, law, or field directly related to the position). Master's or higher advanced degree preferred.
Experience
Work requires a minimum of six years of progressive experience in policy/research/data analysis at the international, federal, regional, and/or state level.
OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE.
Skills
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
Duke University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Essential Physical Job Functions
Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.
