Description

POSITION SUMMARY
The Alliance for Children’s Rights seeks an Associate Director of Data and Evaluation to drive data strategy and program evaluation. Under the general guidance of the Director of Legal and Program Services, the Associate Director of Data and Evaluation will develop and implement new opportunities to build knowledge and make data more accessible and actionable, with an eye toward long-term growth, sustainability, and program refinement. This is an exempt, full-time position.

ABOUT THE ALLIANCE
The Alliance for Children’s Rights is a nonprofit organization that provides free, holistic, legal services and advocacy to youth and families impacted by child welfare and juvenile justice systems in Los Angeles County. Our lawyers, advocates, and social workers, together with hundreds of pro bono attorneys and community volunteers, work to ensure young people in foster care and guardianships can overcome barriers to stability and success and can access the education, healthcare, and financial supports they need. Since 1992, we have helped over 175,000 children and young adults. For more information visit: www.allianceforchildrensrights.org.

To advance our mission of stability, equity, and justice for young people, the Alliance also identifies systemic issues and barriers that impact our clients, and advocates for broad solutions through ground-breaking child welfare policy reform at the state and local levels.

WHAT YOUR IMPACT WILL BE
This exciting new role will be central to the Alliance’s commitment to measure program effectiveness and impact in our community. The ideal candidate will approach the work from a holistic viewpoint of how programs are uniquely tied to impact, and effective ways to coordinate operations, analytics, and performance measurement. They will have extensive experience with data management, program evaluation, and outcome reporting, preferably in a non-profit setting. The Associate Director will drive data strategy and program evaluation efforts, developing and implementing new opportunities to build knowledge and evidence with an eye toward long-term growth, sustainability, and program refinement.

Success in this role looks like: Evaluation and analysis will inform strategy, strengthen programs, support funding and policy efforts, and advance equity. The person in the role is seen as a trusted, high-value partner that brings clarity, rigor, and actionable insight to complex questions throughout the organization.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Enhance Evaluation Culture and Capacity

• Guide the Alliance in building a culture of learning that uses data and measurable outcomes to refine and improve advocacy and programs.
• Create practices to strengthen data-driven decision-making to maximize our impact for the communities we serve.
• Collaborate with staff to design and implement processes to capture the Alliance’s impact, analyze the organization’s efficacy, and monitor strategies and related key performance indicators.
• Provide thought leadership, planning, technical assistance, and day-to-day guidance on the Alliance’s internal data and research activities and serve as a resource for the entire organization.
• Design systems to capture and evaluate workloads and case trends to strengthen a culture of learning and balance at the Alliance.
• Conceptualize, design, implement, and document data collection systems and data monitoring strategies that measure and report on data and outcomes to tell stories that staff, board, and other key stakeholders see as important and timely to amplify.
• Engage with staff members throughout the organization to understand their evaluation and data needs.
• Convene diverse internal and external stakeholders on data-gathering methods to ensure values-aligned practices, data equity, and efficient use of staff and client time.
• Maintain knowledge of industry trends and best practices in evaluation, data management, and demonstration of legal aid and social services impact for a variety of stakeholders.

Lead Data Strategy and Analysis

• Collaborate with leadership and staff to develop, oversee, and implement evaluation-related plans, logic models, data collections tools, or protocols for currently active programs and projects, to improve service delivery and measure program efficacy.
• Generate measurable data for the Alliance’s various internal and external stakeholders (such as board or staff reports, grant reports, publicity, newsletters, and other communications).
• Contribute to the development, maintenance and improvement of data monitoring and reporting systems, conduct regular data cleaning and analysis to detect trends, gaps, and recommendations, and oversee accuracy and integrity of data.
• Manage and analyze qualitative and quantitative evaluation data and results, work to bolster the reliability of collected data, and partner with management and front-line staff on various aspects of evaluation and quality improvement.
• Management of Data and Related Systems
• Assess and monitor LegalServer (the Alliance’s case management system), and design and implement LegalServer reports, to ensure the accurate, timely gathering and reporting of key data.
• Support all staff as they input and utilize client and outcome data; ensure complete and accurate data entry through regular training and maintenance procedures; troubleshoot data quality issues, working with intake staff and others to address data gaps and cleanup and leading data reporting, and evaluation efforts.
• When needed, design, modify, and oversee the administration of client data collection instruments, such as surveys and questionnaires, as well as focus groups and interviews; create or amend existing tools to better align with desired program outcomes.
• Advise on tools and data management protocols for databases including but not limited to: Legal Server, Raiser’s Edge, and Financial Edge; improve data system usage among program staff and leadership to inform and meet evaluation goals.
• Support system enhancement (such as migration to new platforms) when necessary.

Requirements

Education and Work Experience:

• Five or more years in a comparable position or an equivalent combination of education, training and relevant experience in data and program evaluation.
• Bachelor’s degree required, Masters in related field preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with relevant data management systems; experience with Legal Server is a plus.

Technical Skills:

• Expertise in designing and implementing evaluation frameworks and methodologies.
• Experience supporting and enhancing database processes that support many functional departments.
• Experience in mixed methods data collection and analysis.
• Intermediate to advanced skills in Microsoft systems (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Proficiency in data analysis and survey software (e.g., SAS, SPSS, GIS tools, Tableau, Qualtrics, Survey Monkey); experience leveraging generative artificial intelligence in evaluation is a plus.
• Strong project management skills, including budget planning, timeline management, and resource allocation.
• Proficiency in leveraging large, publicly available databases and datasets.
• Excellent organizational and writing skills, solid verbal communications.
• Experience with development, distribution, and analysis of client satisfaction and staff satisfaction surveys is a plus.

Knowledge and Interpersonal Skills:

• Deep understanding of data equity principles and the ability to apply them to evaluation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to synthesize complex concepts and translate their meaning.
• Self-motivated and resourceful; demonstrated ability to independently prioritize multiple projects, tasks, and assignments with competing deadlines; strong organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders throughout the organization, work well with teams, take direction, and offer and solicit feedback; demonstrated ability to work across cultures and backgrounds.
• Ability to present and communicate complex information to diverse audiences and to lead meetings effectively, including facilitating discussions and driving decisions.
• Proven leadership abilities; experience with managing and mentorship is a plus.
• Problem-solving skills, with the ability to navigate and resolve differing views constructively and identify creative solutions.
• High attention to detail with a commitment to quality and accuracy in all work.
• This job description is of a general nature and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties of the position.