Senior Research Analyst

ICF•Washington, DC

2d•Remote

About The Position

ICF is hiring a Senior Research Analyst to support the Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor and Human Trafficking (OCFT) within the International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB) at the U.S. Department of Labor. The role provides expert research and advice on efforts to eliminate exploitative labor from supply chains and the worst forms of child labor, including opportunities to create and enforce labor standards in trade agreements. It is a mid-level, non-supervisory position that conducts complex, high-impact research in support of organizational priorities, statutory requirements, and congressionally mandated reporting. Working with substantial independence and analytical judgment, the analyst identifies and carries out research opportunities, evaluates complex qualitative and quantitative information, and develops findings and recommendations for senior leadership and other stakeholders. The role also provides technical guidance, review, and mentorship to junior analysts in conjunction with and under the supervision of OCFT leadership. The position reports to the ICF Senior Manager and, at DOL, the Lead International Relations Officers and/or Division Chiefs within OCFT. It may be based in Washington, DC, or remotely within the United States.

Requirements

At least 3 years of relevant professional research experience conducting complex research on international child labor, forced labor, exploitative labor practices, or global supply chains.
Experience contributing to congressionally mandated, statutory, or other U.S. Government reports and research products.
Demonstrated ability to independently identify, develop, and execute research projects addressing emerging issues or information gaps.
Advanced knowledge of research principles, methodologies, and analytical techniques.
Ability to independently design and execute complex research projects and evaluate and synthesize qualitative and quantitative information from diverse sources.
Strong analytical judgment, critical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, and written and oral communication skills.
Ability to develop defensible findings and recommendations from complex or incomplete information.
Ability to provide technical guidance and mentorship, coordinate analytical work across contributors, and communicate complex findings to senior leaders and other stakeholders.
Ability to work independently and in teams, adapt to changing requirements and priorities, and meet deadlines with strong organizational skills.
Ability to work remotely and collaborate across complex teams and stakeholder structures.
U.S. citizenship, residence in the United States for the past 2 years, and ability to perform the work from a location within the United States to obtain low-level security clearance.
Authorization to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Experience providing technical guidance, peer review, or mentorship to less experienced analysts without formal supervisory responsibilities.
Experience evaluating government laws, policies, enforcement efforts, and programs related to exploitative labor practices.
Demonstrated ability to produce clear, well-supported analytical findings and recommendations for senior-level audiences.
Excellent writing, including economic policy brief writing, and ability to tailor written content, tone, and format to different audiences.
Ability to receive feedback, revise deliverables, and follow direction.
Strategic and creative thinking, including finding innovative responses to emerging organizational and project needs.
Strong cross-cultural, interpersonal, management, and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

Conduct and support research for congressionally mandated reports and other statutory or organizational requirements.
Identify and pursue research opportunities to strengthen reporting, including research related to the List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor and/or the List of Products Produced by Forced or Indentured Child Labor.
Determine appropriate research approaches, methodologies, data sources, and analytical techniques.
Synthesize qualitative and quantitative information to identify trends, relationships, risks, gaps, and emerging issues.
Evaluate the reliability, relevance, and limitations of information and apply sound judgment when evidence is incomplete, conflicting, or ambiguous.
Develop well-supported findings, conclusions, and recommendations, and communicate their significance to technical and non-technical audiences.
Anticipate research needs, identify information gaps, and help improve the evidence base and relevance of organizational research products.
Monitor legislative, policy, programmatic, and research developments and assess their implications for analytical work.
Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior research analysts, including sharing best practices, methods, institutional knowledge, and subject-matter expertise.
Review junior analysts' research and analytical products and provide constructive feedback on rigor, accuracy, clarity, and reasoning.
Assist junior analysts, in conjunction with and under the supervision of OCFT leadership, with research questions, source evaluation, evidence interpretation, and communication of findings.
Prepare or contribute to reports, briefings, memoranda, presentations, and other analytical products for leadership, congressional reporting, and other stakeholders.
Present and explain research methodologies, findings, limitations, and implications, and respond to substantive questions.
Provide senior-level review of analytical products to help ensure methodological soundness, evidentiary support, and compliance with applicable standards and requirements.
Coordinate analytical work across multiple contributors and communicate complex findings to senior leaders and stakeholders.