The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is where your world and the world meet. The Council is a nonpartisan, non-profit organization that empowers more people to help shape our global future. We are adding to the Center on Global Food and Agriculture team to connect with the next generation of changemakers who want to create a more open and promising world for all. By informing them, inspiring them, and involving them in world affairs, we will support an inclusive community of globally conscious people who want to have a tangible impact. The Council celebrated its centennial anniversary in 2022. Do you want to help shape our next century?

The Role

The primary responsibility of the Research Associate is to support the development of the Center on Global Food and Agriculture (CGFA)’s research and policy publications. The Research Associate initially will primarily provide key research and organizational support for CGFA’s collaboration with Texas A&M AgriLife Institute for Advancing Health through Agriculture (IHA).

The Research Associate position is a Chicago-based hybrid role and requires some in-person attendance at our Downtown Chicago location based on work activities and peak seasons. The Research Associate will report to the Managing Director of Global Food and Agriculture.

This position requires ad hoc travel to provide project specific support. The estimate is 10-12 work trips over the course of a year for this specific collaboration with IHA.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Research: Performs research and analysis, analyzing and organizing technical data and reports and compiling summaries of information. Develops information sources. Reviews, analyzes, and evaluates data and literature. Prepares preliminary outlines of projects to determine appropriate methodology. Synthesizes data for specific sections of the report or other types of output.
• Writing: Develops summaries of technical information. Abstracts information from various resources to create tables for committee review or use in committee reports. Drafts, summarizes, and edits findings and provides feedback to appropriate parties. Analyzes data developed and prepares written interpretations.
• Project Support: Researches and organizes information about potential committee members, external stakeholders, and speakers. Corresponds with committee members, participating in the planning and execution of committee meetings, and other tasks associated with preparing for committee meetings and workshops. May assists in the scheduling of meetings, calls, workshops, and in taking notes. Attends and participates in meetings and workshops. 
• Database Management: Manages database to track references, and manages and maintains bibliographic databases. Assist in maintaining email and distribution lists. Manage online information portal for committees to facilitate the flow of information and to ensure document version control.
• Publications: Performs fact and reference checking for reports. Inputs edits into report drafts. Create reference lists, bibliographies, figures, graphics, and tables for reports. Formats figures and tables. 
• Interns: Supervises 1-2 interns per term, including selection, training, and ongoing supervision; adapt intern tasks regularly to ensure that they meet team needs.
• Event support: Provides support for Council events (virtual, hybrid, or in-person), sometimes requiring early morning or evening hours. Examples may be registrations, ushering, greeting, monitoring social media channels, etc.
• Other support: Occasionally assists at the front desk in meeting/greeting Council constituents and answering or routing incoming calls.
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Participates collaboratively with the Council’s diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies. 
• Other: Performs other projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in agriculture, nutrition, food, or a related field is required. Master's degree in a related field preferred.
• 2+ years’ experience in research-based and/or policy arena working with government, nonprofits, think thanks, or academia
• Exceptional attention to detail, time-management, and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and manage multiple projects simultaneously; thrives in a fast-paced and dynamic environment
• Experience organizing and managing events, both online and in-person
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to professionally interact with high-level stakeholders and experts
• Superior verbal and written communication skills (editorial and proofreading), including the ability to communicate complex concepts and topics clearly, thoroughly, and succinctly
• Extensive knowledge of and experience using MS Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook)
• Familiarity with customer relations management (CRM) software such as Salesforce
• Ability and willingness to travel, sometimes requiring early mornings or evenings

Council Benefit Highlights

There are many benefits to working at the Council, including a flexible remote/in-office work environment, half-day summer Fridays, paid parental leave, employer-subsidized medical/dental/vision insurance, generous paid time off, retirement match, mobile phone stipend, commuter accessible, fitness center membership, and more.