At the Obama Foundation, we are guided by a core belief: that ordinary people working together can change history. Our mission is to inspire those people to take action, empower them to change their world for the better, and connect them so they can achieve more together than they can alone.
We were founded by community organizers, so when we seek change, we do it by bringing people together.
That approach begins at home, on the South Side of Chicago, where we are building the Obama Presidential Center. The Center represents a historic opportunity for Chicago: a chance to build a world-class museum and public gathering space that celebrates our nation’s first African American President and First Lady, steps away from where he began his career, where she was raised, and where—together—they made their home.
But that approach extends to all our work, whether it’s holding leadership training sessions in communities throughout the U.S., bringing local leaders together in countries around the world, working to support the global education of girls, or ensuring young men of color have pathways to opportunity.
As President Obama has said, “we cannot solve the challenges of our time unless we solve them together.” So join us.
Purpose of the Role
As a member of the Creative and Communications team, the Research Analyst will help to expand the capacity of the research team and ensure high quality vetting reports to support the Foundation’s mission. You will perform research and write vet reports for internal distribution, working to ensure all vetting is carried out in a timely manner and all potential partners meet the Foundation’s standards. You will also assist in improving the Research team’s workflow and processes, and will provide broader research as needed by the Foundation. The Research Analyst will report to the Research Manager.
Core Job Responsibilities
- Research potential speakers, vendors, and other partners for the Foundation to ensure the Foundation is operating in accordance with its values. This will entail review of the public records, media coverage, and online presence of those the Foundation may work with, to provide full visibility into potential relationships the Foundation may enter
- Synthesize pertinent research findings and write memoranda on each vet subject, summarizing and providing adequate context for research
- Distribute vet reports to relevant stakeholders within the Foundation
- Work with internal Foundation teams to build individualized workflows and research strategies for specific cross-departmental events, and leading the research process for these events
- Maintain the Foundation’s research and vetting database, ensuring it is consistently updated and reflects the latest understanding of the research team and the Foundation
- Support team leadership and team members in tracking and the execution of core departmental processes and projects; assist with media monitoring reports and department metrics
Key Deliverables / Outcomes
- Updated vetting standards
- Vetting and research request process
- Vetting assignment and cost tracker
- Vetting and research analysis and reporting
- Vetting and research approval process
- Research and issues/risk log
Required Qualifications
- Knowledge and practical understanding of relevant research software
- Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively through concise and accurate reports
- Highly organized with strong attention to detail, with track record of meeting short- and long-term responsibilities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven, high volume organization; prioritizes effectively
- High ethical standards, refuses to cut corners even when under pressure
- Able to handle and communicate sensitive information effectively
The salary range for this role is between $48,750 and $81,250.