Senior Research Analyst (Researching and Monitoring Opposition to Gender Justice, Reproductive Justice, and LGBTQ+ Justice)

Political Research Associates is seeking a Senior Research Analyst to join a team of researchers who investigate, expose, and make strategic recommendations for counteracting bigoted and authoritarian movements and government repression and their impact on culture, policy, and social justice organizing. This role will focus on researching and monitoring opposition to gender justice, reproductive justice, and LGBTQ+ justice.

WHO WE ARE:

Political Research Associates is a social justice research and strategy center devoted to supporting organizations, civic leaders, journalists, and social sectors that are building a more just and inclusive democratic society. We provide changemakers with strategic insights and actionable research in order to identify, disrupt, and compete with movements and institutions that undermine democracy, justice, and human rights.

PRA produces investigative reports, articles, and tools; publishes the peer-reviewed magazine The Public Eye; advises social justice movement organizers; and offers expert commentary for local and national media outlets. Our core issue areas span reproductive justice, LGBTQ+ rights, racial and immigrant justice, civil liberties, and economic justice. Our office is located in Somerville, Massachusetts.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

Senior Research Analysts (SRA) inform change makers, journalists, scholars, and the general public through research, writing, briefings and presentations, and serving as strategic thought partners. SRAs are also project leaders, providing direction and proposing work in their area of expertise and otherwise advancing PRA’s mission, vision, and strategic plan.

This Senior Research Analyst position is primarily responsible for the following:

Research and monitor the ideological, media, policy, legal and legislative maneuvering of the Christian Right and other threats to gender justice, reproductive justice, and LGBTQ+ justice. Collect, organize, and examine primary source data from anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ media and social media, as well as secondary and academic sources.
Communicate your strategic insights and original analysis to social justice practitioners, other PRA partners, and the wider public via writing short- and long-form articles and reports, presentations, and media engagements. Provide background briefings and on-the-record interviews with journalists and influencers.
Design research projects that enhance opportunities to weaken antagonists and expand the power and effectiveness of proponents. Innovate new areas of work that align with PRA’s strategic plan. Collaborate with colleagues in the research team and others across the organization.
Strengthen and expand key partner relationships and represent PRA in relevant meetings, convenings, and conferences.

This Senior Research Analyst position reports to the Research Director or Deputy Research Director and does not have supervisory responsibilities.

WHO YOU ARE & KEYS TO SUCCESS:

To be successful in this job, you will excel in four areas:

Opposition research and trendspotting: You bring at least 5 years direct experience as an opposition researcher following the Christian Right, and are familiar with other entities attacking the broader landscape of social justice organizing. Your research is grounded in deep study of the opposition’s strategies and keen awareness of the experiences of the communities most harmed. Racial, gender, and economic justice are elemental to your understanding of social justice.
Savvy and compassionate communication: You have a successful track record of clear writing and compelling presentation of your research findings, including action recommendations. You will propose mission-driven work plans to address key threats and reach target audiences. You are able to demonstrate your past experience with media relations, writing, public speaking, and other forms of communication. You organize and share information effectively and take pride in providing clear, helpful information. You are open to feedback and are committed to the highest level of accuracy and attention to detail in your work.

Research vision and goal-setting: You are equipped to anchor assigned research area. You are experienced in monitoring and writing about how the opposition interacts with issues including race, gender, sexuality, government repression, economic issues, law enforcement, geography, immigration, education access, employment, ability/disability, and civic engagement. You quickly grasp the subtleties of complex issues, know how to identify patterns and synthesize information, and thrive on formulating insightful, pragmatic research conclusions.

Strategist’s mind: You believe in the importance of identifying our opponents’ strategies, strengths, and weaknesses in order to develop effective countermeasures. You are motivated by the opportunity to use research and education to strengthen social justice movements and weaken its opponents. You plan ahead and are able to adapt to the evolving needs of the field. You have a successful track record of taking a concept from idea to implementation.

SALARY, BENEFITS & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Salary: This is a full-time salaried position ($75,000-$80,000/year).

Paid Time off:

Paid Vacation Leave: 15 paid vacation days per year
Paid Holidays: 3 PRA Holidays + 12 Choose-your-own Holidays
Paid Office Closures: 5 day Winter Break
Paid Health & Wellness Leave: 6 hours accrued per pay period up to 200 hours
Additional: 4-day/32-hour work week pilot starting in Spring 2023. Eligible for 2 month paid sabbatical after reaching 5 years tenure. Civic Duty Leave; Bereavement Leave; PFML

Other Benefits:

100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance. PRA also offers a 5% employer contribution of salary towards a socially responsible retirement fund, anniversary bonuses, as well as fabulous colleagues in a collaborative working environment and $1000 professional development.

This job is covered under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement with the Washington-Baltimore News Guild, CWA Local 32035.

Location:

Remote or Greater Boston area. This position is eligible for full telecommuting or you can choose to work from our office in Somerville, Massachusetts. Relocation assistance is provided. PRA’s office hours are 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. ET, but we offer flexible schedules to all employees.

Political Research Associates is committed to hiring someone with the right mix of experience (both traditional and nontraditional), social justice 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.

To apply for this job email your details to contact@politicalresearch.org