Lead Investigator, SME – Forced Labor and Human Trafficking in Supply Chains

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Virginia.

📋 Description

• Act as the primary researcher and methodological leader for the assessment, crafting the methodology and developing tools, which include stakeholder mapping, sampling strategies, interview and focus group protocols, survey instruments, and the analytic framework.

• Design and oversee all data collection initiatives, encompassing structured stakeholder interviews and focus groups, stakeholder surveys, document and policy reviews, as well as the analysis of utilization data.

• Spearhead comparative benchmarking analyses.

• Integrate qualitative and quantitative findings from various data sources; pinpoint operational, technical, policy, content, and capability gaps; and articulate evidence limitations and confidence levels with methodological clarity.

• Compose significant sections of the Draft and Final Strategic Assessment and Gap Analysis Reports, which include current-state assessments, governance and sustainability evaluations, utilization and comparative value insights, benchmarking observations, gap, risk, and maturity analyses, along with future-state operational, governance, and funding options.

• Collaborate closely with the Senior Project Director, a supporting Investigator/SME, and network consultant reviewers, while also engaging in regular virtual meetings with governmental personnel and stakeholders.

⛳️ Requirements

• Advanced degree (Master's or higher preferred) in public policy, international relations, human rights, law, economics, social science research, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.

• Established subject matter expertise in responsible sourcing, supply chain due diligence, forced labor risk mitigation, and/or anti-trafficking policy, including knowledge of federal anti-trafficking procurement requirements.

• Demonstrated experience in leading mixed-methods research or evaluations, which includes the design of sampling strategies, interview and focus group protocols, survey instruments, and the triangulation of qualitative and quantitative data.

• Experience in conducting program assessments, evaluations, gap analyses, or strategic reviews for U.S. Government clients or equivalent institutional clients.

• Previous experience supporting U.S. Government clients through research efforts.

• Strong analytical writing capabilities, with a proven track record of producing evidence-based reports and actionable recommendations for senior government decision-makers.

• Excellent stakeholder engagement and facilitation skills, including the ability to interview government, private sector, and lived experience stakeholders.

• Experience in applying trauma-informed and survivor-centered approaches in the overall research methodology and in interactions with lived experience expert reviewers and stakeholders.

• Proficient in benchmarking or comparative analysis of digital tools or platforms, including assessments of governance, sustainability, and funding models.

• Significant experience utilizing AI tools for data analysis.

• Capacity to work independently in a remote setting and manage competing deadlines within a phased workplan.

🏝️ Benefits

• Compensation will be determined based on job requirements, market conditions, and the experience/skills of the successful candidate.

• Equal opportunity employment.