Overview
Research Analyst| Position Description
About DAISA Enterprises, LLC
DAISA Enterprises is a national team of equity-focused consultants working at the intersection of food, culture, and health. We partner with funders, social enterprises, community leaders, policymakers, and mission-aligned investors to support the realization of vibrant and healthy communities. DAISA is a fully remote team of 13 (as of June 2024) with staff based throughout the US. All of the DAISA team members have extensive experience as nonprofit and venture leaders immersed in community food systems, and we bring a unique entrepreneurial drive, passion, and grassroots perspective to food and health systems change. We also bring great appreciation for the privilege of working to make a difference, love celebrating progress, and are fun to work with! We embody our Company Values throughout all of our project work and company internal practices. We only take on projects that have the potential to advance racial equity and positive community and systems change.
Ultimately we are working deliberately with our funder clients/partners and community stakeholders to design initiatives that build towards equitable systems change. DAISA conducts action-oriented research and learning, through which we are not just seeking to produce a report deliverable but to support the learning and relationships that lead to positive collective understanding and real actions. Though not all engagements work through the full arc of this systems change model, all of our work collaborates with funders and community partners for a powerful movement towards greater equity at different intersection points.
The Position
This role is a unique opportunity within DAISA Enterprises, a mission- and values-driven consulting firm. DAISA is innovating new approaches and initiatives in a challenging space. This team member must be eager, excited, and comfortable being in an entrepreneurial environment and team. DAISA works as a remote team and relies on various forms of workplace technology, project management and communication tools, and social media platforms. Some regional and national travel will be required, roughly 2-3 times a quarter, often for several days at a time.
This Full-Time Research Analyst will work on DAISA’s current and new research, evaluation, and data visualization projects, providing support to project leaders and other team staff. This position requires a deeply committed individual who shares DAISA values and commitment to equity, social justice, and anti-racism. Thinking strategically, this individual must be able to proactively and creatively execute work
tasks. Team members are expected to iterate and execute independently with input and direction from others.
Responsibilities
● Support current DAISA research, evaluation, and data visualization projects, possibly including:
○ Visualizing programmatic data sets, including geographic scope, organizational demographics, budget size, types of projects being funded, and grant/loan amounts.
○ Assisting with tracking, analyzing, and documenting the outcomes and impact of organizational projects.
○ Assisting with multiple large scale field-building research projects, specifically in the fields of food as/is medicine, values-based purchasing, equity and power-shifting, food as a social determinant of health, equitable food-oriented development (EFOD), and other community food systems change topics.
● Assist quantitative and qualitative data gathering activities, including building and implementing surveys, arranging and conducting semi-structured interviews and focus groups, documenting interview notes, and synthesizing academic and gray literature sources to compile Literature Reviews.
● Assist data analysis and meaning-making activities, including data coding, analysis of emerging themes, and meaning-making to illuminate key research findings and recommendations.
● Data visualization including preparation of graphics, infographics, and other images to comprehensively and effectively represent a wide range of data.
● Preparation of written reports and presentations for clients and stakeholders, preparation for client meetings
● Build individual expertise and knowledge base – understand common themes related to food insecurity, social determinants of health, food as/is medicine, and how research, evaluation, and data visualization can support field-building and equity in the food system.
● Collaborate with DAISA team members to proactively build organizational knowledge and expertise in data analysis, evaluation, and data visualization.
This position also entails participating in DAISA’s collaborative leadership and management:
● DAISA Stewardship Group – participate and contribute to ongoing team meetings, contributing perspective and participating in shared decision making.
● DAISA External Representation and Networking – Participate in conferences, webinars, and networking, as they contribute to mission-related systems change and field-building.
● Team Development – Participate in internal process development, team knowledge sharing and education, occasional team retreats, stewardship of DAISA values and social justice initiatives.
Skills & Required Experience
● Demonstration of strong analytical skills and ability to determine and capture learnings from large qualitative and quantitative data sets.
● Undergraduate degree with some exposure to research or quantitative disciplines (research methods, evaluation, math, statistics, etc.) is ideal. Familiarity with GIS is a plus!
● Professional or academic experience with community-based research is ideal.
● Prior direct experience with food systems projects and/or businesses, and demonstrated engagement in social justice and equitable community development.
● Passionate about contributing to building a more equitable food system.
● Fluency with workplace technology including Microsoft Office (especially Excel), Google, Slack, Adobe. Experience with any research analysis, data management, or survey software is a plus.
● Excellent written and verbal communication skills, can present effectively and structure key arguments convincingly.
● A willing team player, and problem solver, proactive in contributing ideas, while also listening and responding to different stakeholders and feedback.
● Self-motivated with a proven ability to work effectively within a remote team.
Compensation & Benefits
This is a full-time salaried position. The salary range for this position is currently $60,000 – $67,000 annually, dependent upon qualifications and experience. DAISA provides a high quality benefits package, including health insurance, a 401K savings plan, profit-sharing, and generous paid vacation. DAISA strongly values the wellbeing of our team. We currently observe a 4-Day work week and have implemented a transparent and democratic decision-making structure. DAISA offers numerous opportunities and support to ensure staff are able to grow and develop their professional and personal skills.
TO APPLY
Submit a cover letter and resume to Karina Bedoya-Ross at Karina@daisaenterprises.com by 8/9/2024. Please put your name and the job title in the subject line of your email.
DAISA Enterprises strives for a diverse and inclusive staff and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, and people from other historically excluded groups.
About DAISA Enterprises
DAISA Enterprises is a national team of consultants and organizers working to advance equity at the intersection of food, culture, and health. Uniquely informed by decades of immersion in food systems and entrepreneurship, we provide strategic and operational support to community leaders, food entrepreneurs, health systems, government agencies, and mission-aligned foundations. We build community and national networks, develop equity frameworks, research and test solutions, support community-owned economic development, and deepen impact towards systems change.