Strategic Research Fellow

The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is offering a Strategic Research Fellowship aimed at shaping the future direction of WETA/News Hour Productions. This role involves conducting comprehensive research and analysis, developing solutions, and engaging with stakeholders to enhance the organization's capabilities in public media.

Responsibilities

• You will conduct comprehensive research on assigned strategic priorities, which may span competitive intelligence in multiplatform media, emerging technologies and platforms, operational innovations, market trends, policy developments, and/or organizational best practices
• This includes synthesizing complex information from available data, industry reports, case studies, interviews, and other primary research to generate actionable insights
• You will be expected to independently identify knowledge gaps, seek out the right sources and experts to fill those gaps, and develop proficiency in new subject areas quickly to serve WETA/NHP's needs
• Beyond analysis, you will design potential solutions, explore implementation frameworks, and create detailed roadmaps for building new capabilities
• This requires translating research findings into practical recommendations that account for our organizational context, resources, and constraints
• You will proactively identify and reach out to subject matter experts across the organization and externally to build your understanding and gather insights
• This requires taking initiative to schedule conversations, conduct informational interviews, and build a network of advisors who can inform your research
• You will present findings to leadership at various stages of the research process
• Success in this fellowship requires the confidence and communication skills to reach out to senior leaders and external experts, the humility to know what you don’t know, to ask thoughtful questions, and synthesize what you learn into actionable insights
• A critical component of the fellowship is ensuring that the capabilities you develop are embedded within the organization
• This includes creating comprehensive documentation, training materials, and tools that enable teams to continue the work beyond your fellowship term
• Work products will be dependent on the nature of the individual project, but deliverables could include presentations, leading discussions, developing work plans, documentation for knowledge transfer, and regular status updates and coaching sessions

Skills

• Bachelor's degree in any relevant field (business, policy, social sciences, humanities, or related discipline)
• Strong academic record demonstrating analytical thinking and intellectual curiosity
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated research experience (through coursework, independent projects, thesis work, and/or internships)
• Ability to synthesize information from multiple sources and draw meaningful conclusions
• Exceptional self-motivation and initiative, particularly in seeking out expertise and building relationships
• Leads with curiosity and a demonstrated willingness to learn
• Track record of proactively reaching out to others for information, mentorship, or collaboration
• Comfort with ambiguity and willingness to figure things out independently when resources aren't immediately obvious
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Confidence to engage with senior leaders and external experts, asking thoughtful questions and incorporating feedback
• 0-2 years of professional experience in research, consulting, strategy, or related fields
• Experience with research methodologies through academic projects or internships
• Relevant internship or work experience is a plus
• Familiarity with data analysis tools (Excel, R, Python, Tableau, or similar)
• Leadership experience in student organizations, volunteer work, or other settings
• Strong interest in public media

Benefits

• Career Launch
• Mentorship and Professional Development
• Collaborative Environment

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