RESEARCH MANAGER

SIHB Core Competencies

Core Competencies are foundational commitments and skills that all SIHB staff are expected to develop.  These competencies define common measures for performance that are applied to every role in the organization.

• Commitment to Indigenous and Organizational Values:  Everything we do at SIHB is centered on Traditional Indian Medicine.  It is our responsibility to maintain cultural integrity in all that we do.
• Accountability:  All employees of SIHB effectively manage their own work and the work of their teams.  We take ownership of our actions and decisions.  We all strive to deliver the highest quality work and care, while respecting our teammates and relatives.
• Collaboration:  SIHB is a team-oriented organization. As team members, we share the responsibility of working toward a common purpose. We collaborate with our colleagues across the organization to deliver the highest quality of care and results in alignment with our mission, vision, values and Theory of Change.
• Communication:  We practice effective and clear communication with staff, relatives, teams and community.  We demonstrate empathy among each other and with those we serve, and transparency in our decision making.
• Customer Service Orientation:  All employees of SIHB recognize the needs of the diverse community we serve. We put the needs of our relatives first by delivering the highest quality, professional, responsive, and innovative care. Our relatives come first and deserve the best.

Position Summary:  The Research Manager provides leadership and oversight for the Suicide in Urban Natives Detection and Networks to Combat Events (SUNDANCE) research program at UIHI. The SUNDANCE project is in partnership with the University of Colorado–Anschutz Medical Campus, Washington State University, and two large Urban Indian Health Organizations – the Seattle Indian Health Board and First Nations Community Healthsource in Albuquerque – to evaluate existing “Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment” (SBIRT) programs.  A novel enhancement to this evidence-based practice will also be developed to test the effectiveness of caring text messages, intended to improve SBIRT retention and increase social and cultural connectedness via a randomized control trial (Caring Texts RCT). This role will assist the Director, Scientific Director and Director of Evaluation and Research to plan, coordinate and administer the research initiatives and program activities to develop new offerings to meet emerging needs of evidence based data for our urban native communities. This position is accountable for documenting the achievement of program goals, objectives and outcomes. The Research Manager provides direct services to research program coordinators, participants and affiliated staff.   

Organizational Structure/Reporting Relationships:  This position reports directly to the Director of Research and Evaluation and is a member of the UIHI team. This position has no direct reports.

Organizational Responsibilities

• Hold Indigenous values and practices with respect and integrity
• Hold yourself accountable to the highest standard by being resourceful, innovative, creative and solutions-oriented
• Actively participate in organizational activities with the understanding that success is achieved through teamwork.
• Recognize that communication is central to the organization’s success and actively champion your words and actions to maintain respect for others, encourage constructive feedback, be open to share laughter and acknowledge differences in skills and opinions, all while keeping others’ best intentions in mind.
• At SIHB, we refer to our customers as Relatives. Our Relatives come first and deserve the best.  Serve the needs of our Relatives first by delivering the highest quality, professional, responsive and innovative care. 

Job Responsibilities

• Engage, develop and retain program staff through active leadership and multicultural supervision. Provide direction, seek input and offer feedback from staff. Activities will include job coaching, communication & conflict-management, staff evaluation, personnel management, fostering professional & leadership skill development and self-care with advocates. Ensure  staff members receive orientation and appropriate training in accordance with organizational standards.
• Provide direct services to UIHN members including research assistance, Training, Data Requests, etc.
• Regularly evaluate and document program elements to ensure performance standards/requirements are met. Maintain files and data-reporting systems to support related program analysis on regular, defined intervals.
• Participate in advisory meetings and/or coalitions with community partners and stakeholders on a continual basis. Build relationships with partners to promote and enhance coordinated, effective service delivery. Network with colleagues and promote participation in program activities.
• Actively participate in internal quality-improvement teams and work with members     proactively to drive quality-improvement initiatives in accordance with the mission and strategic goals of the organization, federal/state/local laws and regulations, and accreditation standards.
• Support Traditional Health integration to achieve the overall department goals and objectives as assigned.
• Lead communications with SUNDANCE Research Coordinators to ensure that all operational aspects of the implementation of the SBIRT quality assurance effort and Caring Texts RCT are addressed.
• Report SUNDANCE updates, project progress, changes to protocol or process, to the Director of Evaluation and Research.
• Participate in SBIRT and Caring Texts RCT working group teleconferences, and other meetings as needed.
• Supporting the technical aspects of LifeWire used in the Caring Texts RCT.
• Assist the SUNDANCE Project Leader in providing project and fiscal progress reports consistent with the sponsor’s deadlines.
• Actively recruit for SUNDANCE RCT with the collaboration of clinical and behavioral health staff.
• Carry out program management duties, i.e., preparation and monitoring of budgets, reporting, program strategic planning and resource development, as assigned.
• Promote the organizations vision, mission, and values at all levels.
•  Manage and oversee special projects as assigned.  
• Actively participate in internal quality improvement teams and work with members proactively to drive quality improvement initiatives in accordance with the mission and strategic goals of the organization, federal and state laws and regulations, and accreditation standards, when assigned.  
• Other job-related duties as assigned

Background Qualifications

Required:  

• Bachelor’s degree in social or health sciences. 
• Master’s degree preferred in social or health sciences preferred.
• 3 years’ experience in program coordination and supervision, with relevant experience in grants management
• Experience working with tribes and/or tribal organizations strongly preferred.
• Valid Washington State driver’s license, proof of car insurance and use of a personal vehicle.
• Candidates must complete an acceptable Background Check as part of the hiring process.
• Experience working with the unique healthcare needs and social issues facing American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) and the desire to promote the delivery of appropriate health services to this population.
• Ability to assess situations and make clear decisions which are timely and in the best interests of the organization.
• Set priorities and monitor progress towards goals, and track details, data, information and activities for reporting.
• Adept at working independently or in a team environment, whichever is considered appropriate for the situation.
• Demonstrate excellent communication and networking skills, including public speaking, writing, group facilitation, and communicating cross-culturally with diverse partners, and interacting with people of all ages and cultural backgrounds.
• Demonstrate cooperative behavior with supervisors, subordinates, colleagues, clients/patients and the community in all situations.
• Knowledge of computer applications necessary to fulfill job duties.
• Work well under pressure, meet multiple and often competing deadlines.
• Ability to work varied hours, including evenings and weekends as required.
• Proficiently use software programs such as Outlook, Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint;
• Learn to use new software as needed;
• Demonstrate cultural competency in working collaboratively with American Indian and Alaska Native communities;
• Demonstrate program management, organizational and coordination skills;
• Show initiative and work with minimal supervision;
• Assess situations and make clear decisions which are timely and in the best interests of the organization;
• Set priorities and monitor progress towards goals, and track details, data, information and activities for reporting;
• Adept at working independently or in a team environment, whichever is considered appropriate for the situation;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, colleagues, public officials, representatives of other agencies and organizations, community members and clients;
• Communicate effectively and professionally, both orally and in writing;
• Demonstrate strong writing skills;
• Demonstrate excellent communication and networking skills, including public speaking, writing, group facilitation, and communicating cross-culturally with diverse partners and interacting with people of all ages and cultural backgrounds;
• Work well under pressure, meet multiple and often competing deadlines; and
• Ability to work varied hours, including evenings and weekends as required.  

Work Environment:  Office hours are 8-5, Monday through Friday with occasional extra hours for events or to meet deadlines.