Qualitative/Mixed-Methods Researcher

Magic Cabinet•San Francisco, CA

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

Magic Cabinet ("MC") is a philanthropic foundation that seeks to fundamentally redefine how philanthropy and nonprofits partner for sustainable and thriving communities. We’re looking for a Qualitative/Mixed-Methods Researcher to conduct analysis and share insights that will inform the foundation’s ongoing and novel participatory grantmaking programs, our internal innovation incubator (Lab) processes, and the story of our trust-based approach. Reporting to Magic Cabinet’s Director of Research, Evaluation, and Lab, the Qualitative/Mixed-Methods Researcher collaborates with the foundation team to transform strategy and systems into amplified impact. Magic Cabinet's Mission Magic Cabinet shifts philanthropy to center community. Magic Cabinet's Vision We believe that nonprofits, community, and philanthropy can help build a just and equitable world by working in solidarity. Magic Cabinet's Values Ongoing Partnership. We engage in deep, collaborative, long-term relationships through multi-year grants, our investments in nonprofits, and support. Equity. We purposefully and actively redistribute power to weigh community voice. Trust. We support authentic and reciprocal relationships amongst nonprofit peers. Flexibility. We are committed to listening and adapting to ever-changing community needs and contexts. Informed Decision Making. We ground ourselves in data and translate research and feedback into innovative practice. Your role as Qualitative/Mixed-Methods Researcher The Qualitative/Mixed-Methods Researcher supports the implementation and evolution of the foundation’s learning strategy across workstreams, including participatory grantmaking, Philanthropic Solutions, and new projects and pilots. This position will partner closely with the Director of Research, Evaluation, and Lab, as well as outside research and evaluation partners, to conduct foundational and iterative mixed-methods research that informs our work.

Requirements

Candidate must live in Washington or California to be eligible.
5+ years of professional work experience architecting and implementing mixed-methods research and/or evaluation work as an internal team member or outside consultant
Experience/familiarity with applying either or both of the following approaches: liberatory research methodologies grounded in Indigenous, critical race, feminist, queer and/or decolonial traditions; human-centered design and systems thinking-informed approaches to understanding the interplay of beliefs, behavior, and power dynamics (e.g. applied research such as UX or design research)
Intellectually curious with a deep respect for learning and a drive for sector-wide improvement
Excited by new and creative research, learning, and evaluation approaches that center nonprofit goals and community impact
Experience working with culturally, economically, and racially diverse groups
Self-reflective and aware of how history, culture, and power shape experiences and perspectives; committed to engaging in dialogue about their influence and dismantling inequitable dynamics
Experience planning and facilitating meetings with diverse participants, with attention to power dynamics and equitable participation
Demonstrated critical thinking skills and independent problem-solving experience, with attention to nuance and complexity
Strong project management skills
Goal-oriented with a deep respect for incremental analysis and refinement
Comfortable with both very detail-oriented independent work and interfacing with external stakeholders
Ability to take initiative and balance competing priorities, adapting to changing deadlines or priorities, and identifying when to escalate an issue
Resourceful, with the ability to be effective working independently and with minimal oversight
An excellent written and oral communicator with a high degree of emotional intelligence
A team player and collaborator with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work with various partners and staff graciously and with a sense of humor
Comfortable working with teams across offices in multiple geographic locations
The ability to commit to limited amounts of domestic travel
Excited about joining a small, well-funded, and growing foundation; empowered by the prospect of further refining their role on an expanding team
Passionate about: Shifting power in philanthropy to deepen support for nonprofits and the communities they serve; Locally inclusive communities and the nonprofit sector; Racial, social, environmental, and economic justice
be able to work a flexible schedule with occasional work early mornings, evenings and/or weekends.
be able to remain in a stationary position for long periods of time at home office or events.
have the ability to operate standard office equipment.
be able to travel as needed, both locally and to other state(s).

Nice To Haves

Experience or familiarity with the nonprofit sector is preferred; direct experience in philanthropy is not required
Experience/familiarity with Indigenous methods and data sovereignty, Participatory Action Research, trauma-informed research, human-centered design, and/or service design a plus!

Responsibilities

Support and carry out the foundation-wide research, evaluation and learning strategy
Conduct qualitative and quantitative research and evaluation efforts, utilizing tools such as qualitative analysis software (e.g. Atlas.ti, Dovetail) and/or quantitative analysis software (e.g. R, SPSS) as appropriate
Interpret, critique, and contextualize qualitative and quantitative research/evaluation findings and methods for various audiences
Support the development and operationalization of systems for a holistic qualitative and quantitative view of our grantmaking
Coordinate ongoing program evaluation with external evaluation partners, including coordinating survey timing and participant compensation
Support the development of robust yet flexible research and evaluation frameworks and processes that center equity and reciprocity
Seek opportunities to learn from and share new approaches, models, and best/promising practices in evaluation and philanthropy
Monitor and surface varying and evolving needs and opportunities
Frame and share complex data and findings to inform team efforts through multimodal communication (e.g. reports, presentations, interactive methods) in a remote/distributed work environment
Synthesize findings from multiple sources to build and refine our body of foundational learnings
Collaborate in thought partnership with teams, particularly with regard to applying research findings and through workshop facilitation
Help the team stay current on conversations and innovations in participatory frameworks, trust-based philanthropy, and the nonprofit sector, as well as research and evaluation within and outside philanthropy
Maintain ongoing research operations, including artifacts (e.g. presentations, documents) and intranet for foundation staff access
Regularly participate in sharing successes and failures among the team to inform work and the team’s continuous learning and improvement
Participate in and/or lead Magic Cabinet project teams, as capacity allows
Support collaboration with the communications team to turn findings into stories and reports shared externally
Present at conferences, workshops, and other community events to share the Magic Cabinet model, approach, and values, and highlight nonprofit partners’ work and impact
Attend and participate as needed in select Magic Cabinet board meetings, retreats, and donor cultivation events as ambassadors of nonprofit partners and Magic Cabinet
Utilize computer and Internet-based software, including spreadsheets, presentation software, project management tools, video conferencing, survey administration, and collaborative documents
Participate in internal meetings and trainings
Participate in self- and peer-review processes
Participate in operational systems and procedures, such as expense tracking and documentation
All Magic Cabinet staff members are encouraged to participate in the betterment of Magic Cabinet’s procedures and processes
Participate in and support other programmatic efforts as needed.
Staff members may be asked to take on special projects for Magic Cabinet or additional tasks as assigned.
Participation in meetings