Data and Research Consultant

POSITION OVERVIEW
Status: Part-Time Consultant, Not Benefits Eligible 

Hours:
Up to 14 hours per week

Reports to:
Vice President of Campus Programs and Portal Initiatives 

Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis

POSITION SUMMARY

The Presidents' Alliance is looking for a Data and Research Consultant to manage data updates, support recurring research reports, assist with external research partnerships, and help organize a new Research Library on the Higher Ed Immigration Portal. This individual will be responsible for updating the data for the Higher Ed Immigration Portal, ensuring that national and state-level data remain current, accurate, well-documented, and accessible to higher education leaders, policymakers, practitioners, researchers, advocates, and the public.

The role requires two equally important skill sets: strong quantitative research and data analysis and strong writing skills. The ideal candidate can independently analyze datasets, identify meaningful findings and trends, assess the quality and limitations of available data, and translate complex quantitative information into clear, compelling reports, briefs, and digital content for nontechnical audiences.

In addition to maintaining established data resources, the consultant will support original research, special projects, and research collaborations across the Presidents’ Alliance.

CONSULTANT ESSENTIAL Duties and RESPONSIBILITIES

Data management, analysis, and Portal updates (50%) 

• Update recurring national and state-level data updates for the Higher Ed Immigration Portal.
• Manage timelines with partner organizations for three recurring reports: Undocumented Students in U.S. Higher Education, Immigrant Origin Students in Higher Education, and Undocumented Students Graduating High School; Review and provide feedback on data analysis; maintain methodological explanations and consistency
• Implement and carry out processes and timelines for updating data on undocumented, immigrant-origin, international, refugee, and other relevant student populations in higher education.
• Analyze datasets received from research and data partners, and independently identify key findings, trends, changes, and implications.
• Conduct quantitative analysis when needed to answer emerging research and policy questions.
• Maintain a clear understanding of the underlying methodologies, definitions, sources, and limitations of datasets used by the Presidents' Alliance.
• Conduct rigorous quality assurance and quality control before publication, including checking calculations, comparisons, citations, definitions, and consistency across Portal pages, reports, and other Alliance materials.
• Proactively identify when data are outdated or when new data releases require updates to the Portal or related Alliance publications.

Research & Reports (50%)

• Provide quantitative research and analysis for special projects across the Presidents’ Alliance; translate quantitative findings into clear, concise, and compelling graphics and language
• Support the development of new research products in response to emerging policy questions, organizational priorities, and developments in the field.
• Help assess emerging data needs and identify opportunities for new research that advances the Presidents’ Alliance’s mission and strengthens understanding of immigrant and international students in higher education.
• Maintain and improve the Higher Ed Immigration Portal’s data calendar and related internal tracking systems.

• Ensure research methodologies, source files, documentation, and processes are organized and accessible so that the Alliance maintains strong institutional knowledge over time.
• Support the build-out of a new Research Library on the Higher Ed Immigration Portal,
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as directed.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• A bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree is a plus.

• 3+ years of experience in quantitative research, data analysis, applied research, or a related field; or an advanced degree in a relevant field.
• Demonstrated experience analyzing quantitative datasets and identifying meaningful findings, patterns, trends, and implications.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Strong proficiency working with data in Excel and CSV formats, including data analysis, validation, and presentation.
• Strong attention to detail and demonstrated commitment to data accuracy, methodological rigor, documentation, and quality control.
• Ability to understand and communicate research methodologies, data limitations, and appropriate interpretations of findings.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to independently manage recurring data updates and multiple research deliverables.
• Ability to take ownership of projects, proactively identify data and research needs, and move work forward with limited day-to-day supervision.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a remote, cross-functional environment.
• Experience with or demonstrated knowledge of higher education, immigration, public policy, demography, education policy, or a related field strongly preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a contractor to successfully perform the essential functions of this work. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, as required by applicable law.

Regularly required to sit for extended periods of time; frequent hearing and talking required.

Extensive keyboarding. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This is a remote position in a virtual-first work environment. The contractor will perform the essential functions of the job from an appropriate remote workspace and must be able to communicate and collaborate effectively using the organization’s technology and virtual communication tools, with or without reasonable accommodation. The organization will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities, as required by applicable law.