Background
NORC at the University of Chicago is one of the largest and most respected social science research organizations conducting high-quality research both in the United States and internationally.
NORC is seeking a part-time Developmental Researcher or Evaluator to evaluate the development of a pilot project addressing human trafficking, labor exploitation, and agroecological outlets at the community level, based in Puebla, Mexico. The position is expected to last 70 days, between August 2025 and September 2027.
Developmental Evaluation (DE) is an approach that underpins the ongoing adaptation of interventions during a pilot phase through the use of evaluative thinking and repeated cycles of feedback and evidence assimilation. This DE process includes embedding one or more evaluators within the implementing organization, collaborating closely with project staff, and supporting them in using monitoring and evaluation evidence to adapt their program design and improve the pilot’s capacity to achieve its intended outcomes.
Responsibilities
The Developmental Evaluation Researcher/Evaluator will be part of the project implementation team during the implementation of the pilot intervention. This individual will be responsible for co-designing the DE protocol and tools with NORC and the project’s local and international partners. This individual will assist the project teams in ensuring that monitoring data are collected, analyzed, and provided to them in an actionable manner so that they can make any necessary adaptations to their intervention model. They will begin working with the project team during the design phase of the pilot intervention, when the teams are developing the specific aspects of the intervention, including the Theory of Change, implementation mechanisms, causal pathways, and measurement indicators. Importantly, this individual will also be responsible for documenting and interpreting every aspect of the DE processes.
Responsibilities include:
- Coordinate with the NORC team to design ED implementation approaches, tools, and strategy.
- Work closely with the project implementation team and its research partners to support their pilot intervention monitoring, data collection, analysis and interpretation, and feedback and adoption processes, as well as guide potential intervention adaptations.
- Conduct periodic visits to project sites between 2025 and early 2027 to discuss intervention testing, data collection, and to observe and document implementation.
- Conduct limited fieldwork, including 15–20 interviews and/or focus group discussions with relevant staff, project participants, and possibly other stakeholders.
- Document organizational decision-making processes, prototype design adaptations, adoption of ED evidence, and feedback from the intervention team as the pilot is tested and adapted.
- Document how monitoring evidence influenced the pilot intervention and how adaptations influenced emerging outcomes.
- Communicate regularly with the NORC team regarding the pilot intervention and adaptations.
- Contribute to the writing of reports, presentations, and articles on the intervention model and Development Evaluation.
- Participate in meetings with the U.S. Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) office to report on the ED, as needed
Requirements
- Master’s or higher degree in social sciences, public health, or a related field with at least five (5) years of experience in research and evaluation of similar programs; or a bachelor’s degree in social sciences or a related field with at least ten (10) years of experience in research and evaluation of similar programs.
- Experience in labor exploitation, occupational health, agroecology, and related topics.
- Previous experience working directly with indigenous communities in Mexico is desirable.
- Previous experience in monitoring and evaluating interventions.
- Experience with participatory, learning support, and co-design approaches is preferred.
- Ability to work remotely as needed and participate in video calls.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, ability to meet deadlines, and attention to detail.
- Fluency in written and spoken English Level (4/4)
- Fluency in Spanish; indigenous languages ​​in Mexico are a plus.
- Willingness to travel to rural communities to conduct fieldwork, convene meetings, and observe implementation as needed.
Salary information:
- NORC at the University of Chicago is offering a part-time, fixed-term contract for a total of 70 days between August 2025 and September 2027. Fieldwork will be conducted between late 2025 and early 2027.
- NORC will cover all travel expenses for site visits.
- NORC can pay between $250 and $350 per day with a 2% increase in the cost of living each year.
How to apply
Please send a brief, updated cover letter and resume (no more than four pages) to usmca@norc.org, addressed to the PEMS Mexico Assessment Team. The application period closes July 21, 2025.