Research Scout and Project Coordinator

About this role

ABOUT A MORE PERFECT UNION
A More Perfect Union is a nonpartisan social-impact organization that mobilizes the American Jewish community to protect and strengthen democracy. We educate American Jews, equip Jewish institutions, and activate Jewish leaders to respond to the growing threat of authoritarianism and be engines for civic renewal in their communities. Rooted in the enduring American Jewish experience and powered by evidence-based strategies, we help communities meet this moment with clarity, courage, and collective action. Through research, messaging, training, and partnership, we’re building a future where democracy works for all of us.

A More Perfect Union is fiscally sponsored by Goodnation Foundation and guided by our Strategic Advisors.

ABOUT THE POSITION
A More Perfect Union seeks a temporary, part-time Research Scout & Project Coordinator to support a six-month Project Team focused on helping Jewish educators navigate political and civic divisions in educational settings.
The Project Team is a small group of educators and field leaders that will examine the challenges of navigating political and civic divisions in Jewish life. The Project Team will learn from existing research and practice and collaboratively develop practical resources that support inquiry, pluralism, and respectful coexistence across difference. The Research Scout & Project Coordinator will play a critical support role throughout the Project Team process.
Working closely with A More Perfect Union staff and Project Team participants, the Scout will conduct landscape research, coordinate Project Team logistics, capture and synthesize learning, maintain project documentation, and support the development, publication, and dissemination of the Project Team's final field resource.
The ideal candidate is a strong researcher, writer, and project manager who enjoys translating complex ideas into practical tools. This is a temporary, part-time, remote position reporting to the Vice President, Programs & Partnerships.
Applications will be accepted for this role will run from August 5 through September 8, 2026. Phone screens and interviews for eligible candidates will take place between August 24 - September 23, 2026. All candidates will be notified on or before October 2, 2026.

Key Responsibilities

Landscape Research & Knowledge Synthesis (30%)

• Conduct literature reviews and environmental scans related to civic learning, political polarization, pluralism, dialogue across difference, democratic education, Jewish education, and related topics.

• Identify, review, and synthesize relevant research, frameworks, tools, case studies, and practitioner resources.

• Develop annotated bibliographies, research briefs, and synthesis memos to inform Project Team discussions and resource development.

• Monitor emerging developments, publications, and thought leadership relevant to the Project Team's focus area.

• Maintain an organized repository of research, resources, and supporting materials for Project Team participants and staff.

Resource Development, Publication & Dissemination (35%)

• Support development of frameworks, case studies, discussion protocols, implementation guidance, and other resource components.

• Support drafting, editing, citation management, and quality control of final deliverables.

• Coordinate review and feedback processes with Project Team participants and staff.

• Support publication, dissemination, and promotional efforts related to the Project Team's final resource.

Project Team Meetings & Operations (20%)

• Coordinate scheduling, meeting agendas, participant communications, and logistical preparation for monthly Project Team meetings and related planning sessions in collaboration with Project Team leaders and A More Perfect Union staff.

• Support smooth execution of virtual meetings, including Zoom setup, resource distribution, and participant follow-up.

• Maintain project timelines, track deliverables, and help ensure milestones are completed on schedule.

Learning & Knowledge Management (15%)

• Attend all Project Team meetings and capture detailed notes, key themes, emerging insights, and action items.

• Document educator dilemmas, case studies, resources, and examples surfaced through Project Team discussions.

• Identify patterns, recurring challenges, and promising practices emerging across conversations.

• Maintain organized documentation systems and shared files to support collaboration and institutional learning.
Requirements

ABOUT YOU
You’re excited about the mission of A More Perfect Union. You believe in the promise of American democracy, the role of civic learning and ideological pluralism in supporting it, and the potential for the Jewish community to play a part in protecting and strengthening it. You are energized by helping people make sense of complex challenges and translate learning into practical action. You have strongly held values, beliefs, and positions, but you maintain a concurrent commitment to pluralism that honors the equally strongly held values, beliefs, and positions of others. You enjoy digging into research, identifying patterns, and communicating ideas clearly to diverse audiences. You are equally comfortable working behind the scenes to keep projects organized and engaging thoughtfully with participants and stakeholders. You bring a strong attention to detail, a collaborative spirit, and a commitment to producing high-quality work.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCES, AND SKILLS

• 3+ years of professional experience and/or graduate-level study in research, education, pluralism, Jewish education, civic engagement, program management, facilitation, or a related field.

• Exceptional research, analytical, writing, and editing skills.

• Excellent organizational and project management skills with strong attention to detail.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

• Experience conducting literature reviews, environmental scans,…