Tribal Engagement Fellow

Required qualifications include: ● Significant expertise conducting and / or facilitating participatory research with Native nations, citizens of Native nations, and Tribal governments. ● Deep knowledge and understanding of the principles of indigenous data sovereignty, and expertise in the local contexts of Tribal governments. ● Willingness and ability to advise other OES team members on respectful, appropriate engagement and ethical research practice with Native nations. Desirable qualifications include one or more of the following: ● Experience in qualitative research design and methods. ● Knowledge of relevant ARP-funded programs and Tribal governments’ participation in these programs. ● Strong and concise writing skills under tight deadlines. ● Excellent project management and organizational skills. ● Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills. ● Flexibility, self-motivation, and the ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently in a team. ● Ability to effectively explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences, orally and in writing

OES is seeking candidates who have significant expertise conducting and / or facilitating research with Native Nations, citizens of Native Nations, and Tribal governments to join OES as a Tribal Engagement Fellow in the spring of 2024. Specifically, we are seeking an individual who has expertise in facilitating engagement and research with citizens of Native nations, is well versed in the principles of indigenous data sovereignty, and who would be willing and able to advise OES team members on respectful, appropriate engagement and ethical research practice with Native nations. The fellow’s primary focus would be to assist with OES’ ongoing research on understanding Native nations’ experiences accessing and implementing federal programs funded by the American Rescue Plan (ARP). This stream of research will focus on a set of federal programs that included dedicated funding allocations for Tribal governments from the ARP. Examples of such programs might include the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), overseen by the U.S. Department of Treasury; the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) or Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), overseen by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF); and the Indigenous Communities Program (Indigenous Communities), overseen by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA). At OES, fellows typically lead and support OES evaluations and are academics or practitioners serving as project leads or technical advisors. Fellows join OES on-loan from academic, nonprofit, or government offices on either a reimbursable or non-reimbursable basis.

The Tribal Engagement Fellow will be brought on via an Intergovernmental Personnel Act agreement or Memorandum of Understanding for a federal detail. Fellows have come to OES from a variety of universities (e.g., Harvard University, Reed College, and University of Washington), non-profits (e.g., ideas42 and MDRC), and Federal departments (there is additional flexibility for Federal employees applying for a rotational detail).