Application Guide
How to Apply for Consultant for Designing Equitable Review Practices
at American Association of University Women - Headquarters
๐ข About American Association of University Women - Headquarters
AAUW is a century-old organization dedicated to advancing equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research. Its Fellowships and Grants program directly supports women scholars and community projects, making it a mission-driven workplace where your work has tangible impact on gender equity.
About This Role
As a Consultant for Designing Equitable Review Practices, you will redesign AAUW's evaluation rubrics and train reviewers to mitigate implicit bias, ensuring fair assessment of grant applications. This role is impactful because it directly influences who receives funding, shaping the pipeline of women leaders and scholars.
๐ก A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve a virtual meeting with AAUW staff to review current evaluation rubrics, followed by drafting revised criteria with equity-centered language. You might then facilitate a 2-hour implicit bias training for a panel of reviewers, and end the day by recording a short instructional video for future use.
๐ Application Tools
๐ฏ Who American Association of University Women - Headquarters Is Looking For
- A DEI practitioner with 7-10+ years of experience designing and delivering implicit bias training, preferably in academic or grant-making contexts.
- An expert in adult learning and instructional design, with a portfolio of virtual training modules that engage professionals interactively.
- Someone familiar with grant review processes and funding cycles, able to map equity principles onto rubric criteria.
- A facilitator who can navigate sensitive conversations about bias with diverse stakeholders, building consensus and capacity.
๐ Tips for Applying to American Association of University Women - Headquarters
Highlight specific examples of rubrics you've redesigned to reduce bias, including measurable outcomes (e.g., increased diversity of awardees).
Showcase a sample training module you've created for virtual delivery, explaining how you ensured engagement and retention.
Mention any experience with AAUW's mission or similar women's equity organizations to demonstrate cultural fit.
Tailor your resume to emphasize adult learning theory, not just general DEI workโuse terms like 'andragogy' or 'instructional design'.
Include a brief note in your cover letter about how you would approach building staff capacity for long-term sustainability beyond the contract.
โ๏ธ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your expertise in both DEI and instructional design, with concrete examples of training and rubric redesign.', "Understanding of AAUW's mission and how equitable review practices align with their goal of advancing women.", 'Your approach to creating recorded resources that staff can reuse, ensuring the contract delivers lasting value.', 'Your facilitation style for engaging virtual audiences, especially around sensitive topics like implicit bias.']
Generate Cover Letter โ๐ Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- โ Review AAUW's current Fellowships and Grants programs, including recent awardees and selection criteria.
- โ Read AAUW's research reports on gender equity, especially those related to bias in academic or professional settings.
- โ Familiarize yourself with AAUW's strategic plan and any public statements on DEI initiatives.
- โ Explore past training materials or webinars AAUW has produced to understand their tone and style.
๐ฌ Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
โ ๏ธ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't submit a generic DEI proposalโbe specific to grant review processes and rubric design.
- Avoid focusing solely on theory; AAUW wants actionable, practical deliverables like recorded trainings and revised rubrics.
- Don't overlook the importance of adult learning principlesโthis is not just a DEI role, but an instructional design one.
๐ Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to American Association of University Women - Headquarters!