job: research associate,

[colist at comm-org.wisc.edu]

From:     Harold Simon <hsimon at nhi.org>


Job Opening: Research Associate
 
The National Housing Institute (NHI) is seeking a full-time research 
associate to play a central role in its growing action research agenda 
focusing on housing and community development issues.
 
Now in its 31st year, NHI is an independent nonprofit research and 
education organization driven by a belief in the ability of all 
communities to be healthy and thriving. NHI is dedicated to community 
revitalization by enhancing the work of community builders through 
public policy and programmatic analysis, development and promotion.
 
NHI conducts research that reflects the needs of practitioners, 
advocates and policymakers at the national, state and local levels, and 
that will provide them with tools, information and insights that will 
have a direct and significant affect on their work in community 
revitalization. In addition to research, NHI publishes /Shelterforce/, 
the only national independent publication written for advocates and 
professionals dedicated to affordable housing and community development.
 
The research associate will participate in the organization’s agenda to 
conduct research on national, state and local policy and practice in the 
areas of urban redevelopment, community development and neighborhood 
revitalization. Working under the supervision of NHI’s research 
director, the associate will play a key role in moving this agenda 
forward, working on research projects in a wide variety of areas and 
interacting with researchers, policymakers and community development 
practitioners across the nation.
 
Current research areas include the development of a model to link the 
process of market-driven neighborhood change with tools and strategies 
to foster equitable revitalization and preserve affordability; research 
on connecting school construction with neighborhood development; and 
research into a series of issues arising from NHI’s recently-completed 
preliminary investigation of shared equity housing models. Future 
research studies may look at land use and regulatory practices,  
building human capital, economic development, organizing and civic 
engagement, and greening as a revitalization strategy.
 
The research associate will be expected to operate at a high level of 
autonomy and responsibility. Specific activities that the research 
associate will be expected to carry out will include:
 

·      carrying out research work on NHI projects, including data 
analysis, literature research and field investigations;

·      writing research summaries, project reports, case studies, policy 
briefs and related written work products;

·      tracking progress of the NHI research agenda and preparing 
progress reports for the NHI board, funders and others;

·      assisting in the management and logistics (including writing and 
preparing materials)  of NHI conferences, forums and other meetings;

·      developing ideas and proposals for future NHI research activities;

·      contributing ideas and articles for /Shelterforce/;

·      participating in and representing NHI at meetings, conferences 
and other events tied to the research agenda.


Qualifications
 
NHI is looking for an energetic, talented individual with at least a 
master’s level degree in a field relevant to the research agenda 
described, such as city planning, policy studies or economics, with at 
least two years of professional experience either in a related research 
area, or as a practitioner in a related field, such as working for a CDC 
or other community-based organization. 
 
In addition to strong quantitative research skills, he or she must be 
able to write and speak to diverse audiences, including community-based 
practitioners, policymakers, other researchers and the general public 
with ease and persuasion. The successful candidate must be adaptable, 
flexible, creative and detail oriented with a strong commitment to 
social justice and equity.
 
Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Benefits 
include health insurance, vacation, paid holidays and retirement plan. 
NHI is an equal opportunity employer. Women and people of color are 
strongly encouraged to apply.
 
Please e-mail cover letter, writing sample and resume to:
 Research Position c/o nhi at nhi.org <mailto:hs at nhi.org>