Senior Research Analyst

Position description

ICF is hiring a Senior Research Analyst to perform a critical role within the Office Child Labor, Forced Labor and Human Trafficking (OCFT) of the International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB) at the U.S. Department of Labor.  ILAB increases American job and wage growth by combating foreign labor abuses and unfair trade practices in global supply chains that undermine U.S. prosperity and security. The position requires the ability to provide expert advice to ILAB regarding opportunities in global commerce to create and enforce labor standards for trade agreements to combat child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking in global supply chains that undermine the American economy and security.

The Senior Research Analyst is a mid-level, non-supervisory position responsible for conducting complex, high-impact research in support of organizational priorities, statutory requirements, and congressionally mandated reporting. Working with a high degree of independence and analytical judgment, the analyst proactively identifies and executes research opportunities, evaluates complex qualitative and quantitative information, and develops findings and recommendations for senior leadership and other stakeholders. The position provides ILAB with expert research on governments’ efforts to eliminate exploitative labor from supply chains and the worst forms of child labor. The position also provides—in conjunction and under the supervision of OCFT leadership—mentorship, review, and guidance to junior analysts. The position reports to the ICF Senior Manager and at DOL the Lead International Relations Officers and/or Division Chiefs within OCFT and may be based in Washington, DC, or remotely.

Key Responsibilities:

• Advanced Research and Analysis for Congressionally Mandated Reports: Conducts and supports research necessary to fulfill congressionally mandated reporting and other statutory or organizational requirements. Independently identifies and pursues research opportunities that strengthen, expand, or otherwise further the organization's ability to meet congressionally mandated reports, including the List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor and/or List of Products Produced by Forced or Indentured Child Labor.

• Independently determines appropriate research approaches, methodologies, data sources, and analytical techniques based on the nature and objectives of the research.

• Synthesizes information from multiple qualitative and quantitative sources to identify trends, relationships, risks, gaps, and emerging issues. Evaluates the reliability, relevance, and limitations of available information and applies sound analytical judgment when information is incomplete, conflicting, or ambiguous.

• Develops well-supported findings, conclusions, and recommendations and clearly communicates the significance and implications of research results to technical and non-technical audiences.

• Anticipates emerging research needs and identifies opportunities to address information gaps, improve the evidence base for required reporting, and enhance the quality and relevance of organizational research products.

• Maintains awareness of relevant legislative, policy, programmatic, and research developments and assesses their potential implications for current and future analytical work.

• Guidance and Mentorship: Provides technical guidance and mentorship to junior research analysts by sharing research best practices, analytical methods, institutional knowledge, and subject-matter expertise.

• Reviews research and analytical products and provides substantive, constructive feedback to strengthen methodological rigor, accuracy, clarity, and analytical reasoning. Assists junior analysts—in conjunction and under the supervision of OCFT leadership—in addressing complex research questions, evaluating sources and evidence, interpreting findings, and effectively communicating analytical results.

• Research Products and Communication: Prepares or contributes to high-quality reports, briefings, memoranda, presentations, and other analytical products for senior leadership, congressional reporting, and other internal or external stakeholders.

• Translates complex research findings into clear, concise, and defensible conclusions tailored to the needs of the intended audience. Presents and explains research methodologies, findings, limitations, and implications and responds to substantive questions regarding analytical work.

• Quality Assurance and Research Improvement: Provides a senior-level review of analytical research products, as appropriate, to help ensure research is methodologically sound, appropriately supported by evidence, and consistent with applicable standards and requirements.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• The position requires advanced knowledge of research principles, methodologies, and analytical techniques; demonstrated ability to independently design and execute complex research projects; and skill in evaluating and synthesizing qualitative and quantitative information from diverse sources.

• The incumbent must demonstrate strong analytical judgment, critical thinking, written and oral communication, and the ability to develop defensible findings and recommendations from complex or incomplete information. The position also requires the ability to provide effective technical guidance and mentorship, coordinate analytical work across multiple contributors, and communicate complex findings to senior leaders and other stakeholders.

• The Senior Research Analyst must demonstrate initiative in identifying emerging research needs and opportunities, particularly those that support or strengthen congressionally mandated reporting and other high-priority organizational requirements.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of 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.

• Security Clearance: Ability to obtain low-level security clearance (U.S. citizenship, having resided in the U.S. for the past 2 years, and ability to perform the work of this position from a location within the United States).

Preferred Qualifications:

• 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.

Professional Skills:

• Superb writing skills, including economic policy brief writing with an ability to tailor the tone, content and form of written output to different audiences and to suit a variety of formats; ability to synthesize information and communicate in an accurate and coherent manner.

• Humility to receive feedback, revise deliverables, and accept directions from others.

• Ability to think strategically, creatively and to find innovative ways to respond to emerging organizational and project needs.

• Detail-oriented and deadline-driven with strong organizational skills with an ability to work remotely.

• Ability to work in a dynamic environment with changing requirements and priorities.

• Strong cross-cultural, interpersonal, management, and collaboration skills in highly complex structures involving multiple teams and stakeholders.

• Critical thinking, sound problem solving, and decision-making skills.

• Highly self-motivated and able to work independently as well as in team settings.

Bot and Third-Party Applications

Please note that this application must be submitted directly by the applicant for consideration. Failure to do so may result in the application being excluded for consideration.  Applicants needing an accommodation for disability or religious purposes in connection with the application process should contact [email protected] for assistance.

Application instructions

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