Job Description
Job DescriptionSalary: $65k to $69k annual
Job Title: Research Associate
Department: Research and Academic Engagement
Reports To: Managing Director, Research and Academic Engagement
Who We Are:
The Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) addresses the harms of drug use and drug criminalization through policy solutions, organizing, and public education. We advocate for a holistic approach to drugs that prioritizes health, social supports,and community wellbeing. DPAopposespunitive approaches that destabilize people, block access to care, and drain communities of resources. We believe that the regulation of drugs should be grounded in evidence, health, equity, and human rights. In collaboration with other movements, we change laws, advance justice, and save lives.
DPA has 40 staff across the U.S. an annual operating budget of approximately $12 million, and 200,000 members, activists, and supporters. The organization has a solid track record of success at the local, state, and federal levels and consistent visibility in prominent media and policy circles.
Recognizing the broad reach of the drug war, DPA works across issue areas to engage more deeply with organizations and leaders in immigration, family policing, education, reproductive justice, housing, and other aligned spaces. This commitment to building power across movements and building a base contributes to and works in tandem with DPAs work on policy and legislative change.
Learn more about working at the Drug Policy Alliance here and learn about our work to end the drug war here.
The Role:
The Department of Research and Academic Engagement (DRAE) works to bridge the divide between research and effective drug policies. We provide research support to our policy colleagues to ensure that were promoting the most evidence-based policies; we mobilize academics to engage in policy advocacy and speak with the media; we work with academics to transform the drug research landscape by conducting policy-relevant research; and we host events where we platform the latest drug policy data and research.
The Research Associate will help advance DRAEs work in supporting scholars in doing advocacy, convening experts from a range of disciplines to inform the field, and strengthening DPAs use of research and scholarship in developing and advancing its policy positions. Responsibilities include research, analysis, and writing; outreach and relationship building; event planning; tracking and disseminating research; and administrative support to the DRAE team
Key Responsibilities:
- Providing administrative support to DRAE (approximately 30% of the position).
- Analyzing and tracking drug policy research, responding to research requests from DPA staff and external partners, and working with the DRAE team to develop systems for synthetizing and disseminating research to DPA staff and partners.
- Working with the DRAE team and other staff to plan, coordinate, and host in-person and virtual meetings, conferences, and events.
- Developing materials for policymakers, community partners, staff, and the press, including issue briefs and research summaries.
- Collaborating with the Managing Director, other staff, and scholars to develop and implement new projects.
- Managing outreach and building relationships with researchers and scholars.
- Other duties as assigned.
Skills and Experience:
Passion
- Strong commitment to DPAs mission to end the war on drugs.
- Embrace harm reduction as a core value and principle of substance use disorder treatment and recovery.
- Demonstrated commitment to social and racial justice.
Experience
- A bachelors degree and at least two years experience in research or a masters degree.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively including exemplary writing skills and the ability to translate complex, scientific information, and research into easily accessible formats.
- Direct experience with drug policy, criminal legal reform, or harm reduction preferred.
Skills
- Excellent research and analysis skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively on a team and on group projects.
- Strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and projects on different timelines.
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Ability to organize and prioritize among multiple projects in a demanding, fast-paced environment.
- Excellent attention to detail and ability to operate as a self-starter.
- Creating and maintaining relationships with diverse partners, including academics and researchers, community-based organizations, advocacy organizations, and people directly impacted by criminalization.
- High degree of proficiency with standard office applications such as Outlook, SharePoint, Word, Excel, and Google workplace as well as social media platforms, such as X. Knowledge of Salesforce a plus.
- Outstanding interpersonal skills, flexibility, creativity, curiosity, and a good sense of humor.
- A clear interest in evidence-based drug policy and for helping build a movement for equity, justice, and human rights.
- Familiarity with drug policy and a commitment to harm reduction philosophy and racial
Compensation:
This is a full-time, exempt position. The annual salary range for this position is $65k to $69k, depending on the level of experience. Benefits for DPA staff include comprehensive health insurance and coverage (including dental and vision), 403b retirement plan with 10% employer matching contribution after completion of one-year, paid time off including 20 days of vacation, plus national holidays, sick days, organizational closure at the end of December, and year-round early dismissal on Fridays.
Location
This position is based in New York City. Some travel is required.
Hours:
Full-time, hybrid (2 days per week in person, 3 days per week remote), Mondays through Fridays, 10am to 6pm ET
How to Apply:
To apply, please submit the following:
- Your Resume
- A letter of interest outlining how your qualifications meet the requirements.
Equal Opportunity
Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) is an equal opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. DPA encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ethnicity, personal appearance, political affiliation, family responsibility, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction. Drug Policy Alliance is particularly interested in hiring people who have been adversely affected by the war on drugs.