Research, Data, and Evaluation Manager

School Food FOCUS (FOCUS) is a national collaborative that leverages the knowledge and procurement power of 43 large school districts across the country that collectively represent more than 4.9 million children. FOCUS' mission is to make school meals nationwide more healthful, regionally sourced, and sustainably produced, while transforming food systems to support students' academic achievement and lifelong health. 

FOCUS seeks a Research, Data and Evaluation Manager (Manager) to coordinate research, evaluation and procurement data projects across the organization. As head of the Research, Data and Evaluation unit, the Manager’s responsibilities include: 

• Create and/or manage creation of analysis and reports that blend quantitative and qualitative findings from FOCUS programs to inform FOCUS’ practices and educate the FOCUS network and broader community;
• Manage evaluation of FOCUS projects, ensuring objective tracking of process and efficacy in alignment with the organization’s overall mission;
• Maintain and share evolving knowledge, trends, data and information vital to FOCUS’ mission and strategic operations (e.g. on national school food initiatives, federal policy, institutional procurement, participatory research); and
• Ensure FOCUS-generated knowledge is archived, shared and maintained within the organization and more broadly. 

Procurement Data Collection & Analysis The RDE Manager will be responsible for all activities related to procurement-related data collection and analysis for FOCUS stakeholder-driven projects. The Manager will supervise collection of purchasing data from participating districts, data entry and storage, analysis of data, and translation of findings into reports for multiple various audiences (e.g. districts, funders). 

Evaluation The RDE Manager has responsibility for FOCUS evaluation, both within specific, time-bound projects and overall organizational impact. This may be done by the Manager him/herself as well as through engagement and supervision of third-party contractors. The Manager ensures development of high quality evaluation plans, logic models, metrics, etc. as well as the communication of complex evaluation findings in accessible ways to stakeholders. 

Research Projects The RDE Manager will ensure alignment of research inquiry and data collection within FOCUS activities and with FOCUS strategic plan. Activities will include hiring and supervising research consultants, overseeing research projects and developing systems to organize, document and disseminate findings. 

Knowledge Sharing The Manager will ensure that findings from FOCUS programs, research projects, and other activities are collected and organized so as to be readily accessible to program staff for use in proposal development, reporting, program design, etc. The Manager will also maintain familiarity with seminal and current research relevant to FOCUS work and an understanding of standard data collection methodologies and instruments relevant to FOCUS programs and research interests. The RDE Manager also informs decisions about sharing data and findings outside of FOCUS (e.g. publication of data-driven articles, columns and analysis for varying audiences) and guides knowledge exchange among staff, the FOCUS network and relevant professionals. 

Staff Supervision The Manager is responsible for staff supervision for all relevant projects. This currently includes 2 employees of the Research, Data and Evaluation unit and could include supervision of consultants as described above. 

Qualifications, Experience and Skills 

The Manager must be a self-motivated individual with a strong program evaluation background, committed to effective and practical implementation of complex initiatives. The Manager will have expertise in evaluation methodologies and familiarity with current discourse in food systems, public health and/or community development. 

The ideal candidate will possess: 

• Master’s degree in food systems, evaluation, or related field of study (preferred); or Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in public policy or the social sciences and quantitative analysis;
• Minimum five years of work in non-profit, community development, or academic environments;
• Experience planning, designing and conducting formative and summative program evaluation of systems change initiatives;
• Experience managing complex projects involving a variety of staff and stakeholders and the ability to lead multiple projects through from conception to completion;
• Familiarity with school food and/or institutional food systems;
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously and meet deadlines;
• Aptitude for data analysis and synthesis, including ability to develop, maintain and utilize databases and experience generating evidence-based reports for a range of audiences;
• Excellent communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills;
• Ability to function well in fast paced, collaborative, and predominantly virtual environment as well as work autonomously;
• Strong computer skills (especially Excel, Access or other relational databases);
• Ability/willingness to travel 

Please submit a resume and cover letter, including salary requirements, to Amy Rosenthal at arosenthal@schoolfoodfocus.org by Monday, August 3, 2015. 

FOCUS is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.