Data and Research Consultant

Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration•Washington, DC

4d•Remote

About The Position

The Presidents' Alliance is seeking a Data and Research Consultant to manage data updates, support recurring research reports, assist with external research partnerships, and help organize a new Research Library on the Higher Ed Immigration Portal. This role involves ensuring national and state-level data for the portal are current, accurate, well-documented, and accessible to various stakeholders. The ideal candidate possesses strong quantitative research, data analysis, and writing skills, capable of analyzing datasets, identifying trends, assessing data limitations, and translating complex information into clear content for nontechnical audiences. The consultant will also support original research, special projects, and collaborations.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree is required.
3+ years of experience in quantitative research, data analysis, applied research, or a related field; or an advanced degree in a relevant field.
Demonstrated experience analyzing quantitative datasets and identifying meaningful findings, patterns, trends, and implications.
Strong proficiency working with data in Excel and CSV formats, including data analysis, validation, and presentation.
Strong attention to detail and demonstrated commitment to data accuracy, methodological rigor, documentation, and quality control.
Ability to understand and communicate research methodologies, data limitations, and appropriate interpretations of findings.
Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to independently manage recurring data updates and multiple research deliverables.
Ability to take ownership of projects, proactively identify data and research needs, and move work forward with limited day-to-day supervision.
Strong collaboration and communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a remote, cross-functional environment.

Nice To Haves

An advanced degree is a plus.
Experience with or demonstrated knowledge of higher education, immigration, public policy, demography, education policy, or a related field strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Update recurring national and state-level data for the Higher Ed Immigration Portal.
Manage timelines with partner organizations for three recurring reports: Undocumented Students in U.S. Higher Education, Immigrant Origin Students in Higher Education, and Undocumented Students Graduating High School; Review and provide feedback on data analysis; maintain methodological explanations and consistency.
Implement and carry out processes and timelines for updating data on undocumented, immigrant-origin, international, refugee, and other relevant student populations in higher education.
Analyze datasets received from research and data partners, and independently identify key findings, trends, changes, and implications.
Conduct quantitative analysis when needed to answer emerging research and policy questions.
Maintain a clear understanding of the underlying methodologies, definitions, sources, and limitations of datasets used by the Presidents' Alliance.
Conduct rigorous quality assurance and quality control before publication, including checking calculations, comparisons, citations, definitions, and consistency across Portal pages, reports, and other Alliance materials.
Proactively identify when data are outdated or when new data releases require updates to the Portal or related Alliance publications.
Provide quantitative research and analysis for special projects across the Presidents’ Alliance; translate quantitative findings into clear, concise, and compelling graphics and language.
Support the development of new research products in response to emerging policy questions, organizational priorities, and developments in the field.
Help assess emerging data needs and identify opportunities for new research that advances the Presidents’ Alliance’s mission and strengthens understanding of immigrant and international students in higher education.
Maintain and improve the Higher Ed Immigration Portal’s data calendar and related internal tracking systems.
Ensure research methodologies, source files, documentation, and processes are organized and accessible so that the Alliance maintains strong institutional knowledge over time.
Support the build-out of a new Research Library on the Higher Ed Immigration Portal.
Performs other duties and responsibilities as directed.