GENERAL SUMMARY

Chapin Hall is an independent policy research center at the University of Chicago that provides public and private decision-makers with rigorous research and achievable solutions to support them in improving the lives of children, families, and communities. Chapin Hall partners with policymakers, practitioners, and philanthropists at the forefront of research and policy development by applying a unique blend of scientific research, real-world experience, and policy expertise to construct actionable information, practical tools, and, ultimately, positive change for children, youth, and families. Established in 1985, Chapin Hall's areas of research include child welfare systems, community capacity to support children and families, and youth homelessness. For more information about Chapin Hall, visit www.chapinhall.org or @Chapin_Hall.

The Data and Research Technology Liaison serves a critical role in ensuring that all Chapin Hall data assets are carefully managed for the consistent, efficient, effective, secure, and appropriate use of researchers both inside and outside Chapin Hall. The Data and Research Technology Liaison supports Chapin Hall researchers in their work by facilitating data access, permissions, receipt, storage, processing and documentation. As a member of the Research Technology team, the Data and Research Technology Liaison works closely internally with Research Technology, principal investigators and other research staff, Research Administration, and legal counsel, and externally with public agency personnel, and University of Chicago and other external researchers.

This position reports directly to the Director of Research Technology.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The primary responsibilities of the position are as follows:

Data Agreements, Permissions and Access

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• Serves as point person with public agencies for all data permissions and acquisitions activities, coordinating the needs of multiple projects.
• Works with senior staff and researchers to foster relationships with public agencies and non-profits for the purpose of timely execution of data sharing agreements and/or updates to existing agreements.
• Works with researchers to specify what is needed to complete data requests or secure approvals from external agencies (this includes letters of support, statements of work, and IRB or RRB processes).
• Keeps current on completion of new data sharing agreements and maintains copies of executed data sharing agreements.  Works with Chapin Hall’s Contracts and Compliance Counsel to ensure alignment with existing data sharing agreements.
• Tracks and monitors receipt of requested data, and follows up with appropriate agency personnel to ensure timely delivery of data.
• Tracks age of data holdings and proactively works with researchers and agencies to update data.
• Manages access to server project and data directories and database systems, verifying that each individual has the appropriate permissions IRB submission details are in alignment.
• Develops and maintains tool for tracking principal investigator requests for assistance with data permissions and access.  Communicates status of requests on a timely basis.
• Develops, implements, and manages external researcher access to Chapin Hall data holdings, including the External Access Subcommittee. 
• Works with appropriate research and Research Administration staff to estimate costs associated with Chapin Hall's facilitating data access for external researchers or organizations.

Data Systems 

• Works with Data Governance Committee to develop standardized naming conventions for data files and ensures implementation. 
• Monitors when data are requested, received or downloaded, moved to accessible locations, etc.
• Works with Data Governance Committee to develop organizational protocol for data documentation.
• Works with principal investigators to ensure all data are documented according to protocols.
• Works with principal investigators, system administrators, and other research staff to ensure optimal space utilization through archiving, compressing and deleting data when appropriate.
• Understands calendar of receipt of data pushes and pulls.
• Completes initial processing of agency data and ensures timely delivery.
• Works with principal investigators, analysts, and researchers to manages inventory of Chapin Hall’s data holdings

Researcher Liaison

• Serves as a member of the Data Governance Committee (DGC) and relevant subcommittees, coordinates DGC meetings, takes minutes and manages Committee’s goals.
• Understands, informs, and, as approved by the organization, makes updates and communicates to researchers Chapin Hall policies and procedures related to security, permissions, compliance, data sharing, etc.
• Supports principal investigators and other researchers in understanding Chapin Hall data holdings, including types of data holdings, schedule for receiving various data, and all of the above system processes, helping set appropriate expectations regarding both internal and external timeframes for using the data for approved research projects.
• Responds to researcher requests for permissions to access data and communicates status of requests, all in a timely fashion.
• Works with the Office of the Director of Research to review and finalize work products for research projects, coordinate efforts relative to the DGC, and meet with external agencies
• Represents the organization in monthly meetings with the Chicago Public Schools and their research partners, and work closely with the CPS Data Liaison and Data Coordinator to fulfill permission and data related requests
• Reviews scopes of work to ensure work represented aligns with Chapin Hall data holdings and/or permissions can be obtained for use.
• Monitors changes in agency systems, policies and procedures related to data sharing and communicates to relevant research staff.
• Reviews work products prior to dissemination to external partners and provides feedback.
• Coordinates Annual Data Use Report process and reviews reports prior to dissemination.
• Reviews and helps to draft organizational policies.
• Works with Human Resources to facilitate data security trainings of all staff to ensure compliance.
• Works with the rest of Research technology to perform security assessments and gathers content to obtain and maintain 3^rd party security certification

• Performs additional duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in the social sciences, public policy or another relevant field or an advanced degree in the social sciences, public policy or another relevant field preferred. Minimum of three years’ experience working with or around public sector or research data.

Other Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal and problem solving skills, including the ability to effectively manage a range of relationships required.
• Basic knowledge of databases systems (PostgreSQL) and Linux systems (RHEL and CentOS) required.
• Ability to navigate public agencies and build and maintain strong relationships with appropriate public agency personnel required.
• Strong attention to detail and strong organization skills required.
• Ability to manage multiple, concurrent projects required.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality required.
• Knowledge of data sharing agreements, IRB protocols, and data security protocols preferred.
• Basic knowledge of how administrative data is used preferred.

MINIMUM PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to operate a computer extensively for four (4) or more hours per day.