Vetting Research Associate

Job Description

About the Clinton Foundation

Building on a lifetime of public service, President Clinton established the Clinton Foundation on the simple belief that everyone deserves a chance to succeed, everyone has a responsibility to act, and we all do better when we work together. For nearly two decades, that premise has energized the work of the Foundation in overcoming complex challenges and improving the lives of people across the United States and around the world.

As an operating foundation, we work on issues directly or with strategic partners from the business, government, and nonprofit sectors to create economic opportunity, improve public health, and inspire civic engagement and service. Our programs are designed to make a real difference today while serving as proven models for tomorrow. The goal of every effort is to use available resources to get better results faster – at the lowest possible cost.

We firmly believe that when diverse groups of people bring resources together in the spirit of true cooperation, transformative ideas will emerge to drive life-changing action.

Learn more at http://www.clintonfoundation.org, on Facebook at Facebook.com/ClintonFoundation and on Twitter @ClintonFdn.

Overview

The Research Associate is responsible for carrying out vetting and due diligence for the Clinton Foundation under the supervision of the Senior Manager of Vetting & Research. The Research Associate’s primary responsibility is to research and produce reports on potential Foundation donors and partners; and assess any potential risk they may present for the Foundation. They will also be required to help the maintain database of vetting records. The position requires strong judgment, research and analytical skills, as well as attention to detail.

Responsibilities

Due Diligence

• Perform vetting and due diligence research on entities the Foundation considers an engagement with, including: programmatic partners, donors, event participants, venues, vendors, and others.
• Provide initial assessments based on this research to the Senior Manager of Vetting & Research, including a judgement on the risk potential of a vetted entity.
• Interact with all other Foundation departments and initiative, including by phone, email, and in-person, in order to confirm any and all relevant details of a vetting request.

Reporting

• Writing memos regarding vetting results to highlight relevant information for Foundation senior leadership.
• The Research Associate must be skilled at adapting writing style and information presented to varying audiences when preparing reports.

Administrative

• All vetting interactions must be catalogued thoroughly in the appropriate database.
• Monitor the changing landscape of open-source collection techniques and due diligence service providers.
• Engage in other relevant research and training as needed.

Qualifications

1. Education:

• Minimum Required: Bachelor’s degree

2. Work Experience:

• Minimum Required: 1-2 years

3. Specialized Knowledge Needed for Performance of Job:

• Proficient general office skills.
• Knowledge of open-source research methods and practices a plus.
• Familiarity with research databases preferred, including: LexisNexis, Westlaw, Arachnys, U.S. and international government databases, and Blackbaud CRM (or other CRM software).

4. Skills:

• Excellent writing skills and ability to adapt writing style and information presented to varying audiences.
• Excellent research and analytical skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team in and multi-task in fast paced environment.
• Ability to effectively manage a variety of matters and assignments and meet multiple deadlines at once.
• Ability to work with flexibility, efficiency, and enthusiasm.

5. Special Skills:

• Skill in conducting unbiased complex research, identifying appropriate systems and data sources, and producing risk assessments.
• Proficient open-source research skills using a variety of research tools and techniques, including LexisNexis.
• Foreign language proficiency a plus.

6. Other:

• Exceptional work ethic and attention to detail.

Physical and Other Requirements

Office Environment: Constant computer work requiring repetitive motion, prolonged sitting and sustained visual/mental demands. Occasional lifting, bending, pulling, collating, and filing, some of which may be heavy (>15 lbs.) and require use of carts.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Clinton Foundation maintains a strong policy of equal opportunity in employment. It is our objective to recruit, hire, and retain the most qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Our equal employment philosophy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, compensation, benefits, training, promotions, transfers, job benefits, and terminations.