Job Description
The NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) is the country's first and foremost civil and human rights law organization. Founded in 1940 under the leadership of Thurgood Marshall, who subsequently became the first Black U.S. Supreme Court Justice, LDF was launched at a time when the nation's aspirations for equality and due process of law were stifled by widespread state-sponsored racial inequality. From that era to the present, LDF's mission has been transformative - to achieve racial justice, equality, and an inclusive society.
LDF's litigation, public policy advocacy and public education programs in the substantive areas of criminal justice, economic justice, education, and political participation seek to ensure the fundamental and basic human rights of all people to quality education, economic opportunity, the right to vote and fully participate in democracy, and the right to a fair and just judicial system. LDF continues to make an impact in the area of public service and was recognized by Fast Company as one of its 2023 Brands That Matter under its public service category.
LDF seeks a Research Associate to support LDF's advocacy efforts. The research associate's primary responsibilities will be to support LDF's legal, policy, and public education work. This position reports to a senior attorney at LDF.
The Research Associate will be housed in LDF's Strategic Initiatives Department (SID), the newest component of LDF's legal program. SID integrates our multi-faceted advocacy tools - including litigation, policy, organizing, communications, research, and public education - in key initiatives to maximize the impact of affirmative, strategic, and community-centered advocacy to secure the full citizenship and equality of Black Americans.
LDF operates in a hybrid work environment where employees are expected to be in the office a minimum of two days per week, unless otherwise indicated.
Responsibilities: - Conduct background and investigative research on issues consistent with LDF program areas, organizational priorities and goals, including collecting, compiling, and analyzing statistical and other information from public and private sources and short-term and long-term research projects;
- Conduct research and monitor developments on civil rights and other issues relevant to the priority projects within SID and/or LDF's advocacy from other departments as assigned;
- Prepare for, and participate in, internal and external calls, meetings, conferences, and other convenings as directed;
- Assist LDF staff in preparing written reports, briefs, blogs, fact sheets, toolkits, and other public education materials;
- Occasional travel to communities where LDF has campaigns or is litigating or investigating cases to conduct on-site research (for example, in local libraries, courthouses, and archives); and
- Other responsibilities as
Qualifications: - Bachelor's degree;
- Demonstrated commitment to civil rights and racial justice work;
- Demonstrated ability to work with diverse communities;
- Highly motivated and takes initiative;
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills;
- Outstanding analytical skills, including comfort with analyzing complex issues and familiarity with interpreting data;
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail;
- Outstanding research, writing, and oral communication skills;
- Superb computer skills, including familiarity with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Westlaw, Lexis, Pacer, and ECF (familiarity with database systems and project management software a plus);
- Ability to work both collaboratively and independently;
- Willingness to learn and develop new skills and expertise;
- Resilient temperament in the face of urgent or unexpected demands;
- Ability to prioritize workload and complete tasks accurately and in a timely manner
This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts or requirements or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. This description does not constitute a contract of employment and LDF may exercise its employment-at-will rights at any time.
The salary range for this position is $46,400,000-$66,000 LDF offers all eligible employees a generous benefits package. To learn more click the following link 2024 Benefits Overview.
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The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to you without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status, age, veteran status, medical condition or disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local law.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor. Legal Defense Fund
Job Tags
Contract work, Temporary work, Local area, Immediate start, 2 days per week,