Application Guide

How to Apply for Measurement & Learning Partner Lead

at Listen First Project

🏢 About Listen First Project

Listen First Project is unique as a backbone organization coordinating 500+ organizations dedicated to bridging divides and building social cohesion across America. Working here means contributing to a national movement focused on measurable impact in reducing polarization and fostering understanding, rather than just working for a single nonprofit.

About This Role

This Measurement & Learning Partner Lead role involves onboarding partner organizations to the Social Cohesion Impact Measure (SCIM) tool, providing ongoing technical and analytical support, and helping aggregate field-wide data. It's impactful because you'll directly enable hundreds of organizations to measure and improve their work in bridging divides, making their efforts more data-driven and effective.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with checking in on SCIM implementations for several partner organizations, then preparing a training session on interpreting confidence intervals for new partners. In the afternoon, you could be troubleshooting a Google Sheets issue for one organization while also analyzing aggregated data trends across multiple partners to identify field-wide insights.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Listen First Project Is Looking For

  • Has both statistical coursework experience AND the ability to explain concepts like confidence intervals to non-technical partners in accessible language
  • Is genuinely passionate about supporting partners directly—not just analyzing data but helping organizations understand and use it
  • Combines spreadsheet proficiency with an interest in pluralism/bridging divides, seeing data work as a means to social impact
  • Is detail-oriented enough to set up tailored SCIM implementations on Google products while keeping the bigger picture of field-wide learning in mind

📝 Tips for Applying to Listen First Project

1

Explicitly mention your experience with Google products (Sheets, Forms, Data Studio) since SCIM is built on them—don't just say 'spreadsheet proficiency'

2

Include a brief example in your resume of when you explained statistical concepts to non-experts, ideally in a social impact context

3

Research and reference one of Listen First Project's partner organizations or initiatives to show genuine interest in their network

4

Demonstrate you understand this is both a technical AND partner-facing role by highlighting both analytical and communication/support experiences

5

If you have any background in social cohesion, dialogue, or bridge-building work—even as a volunteer—make sure it's prominently featured

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your ability to translate statistical concepts for diverse audiences (not just your statistical knowledge itself)', 'Specific examples of providing ongoing support to partners/clients in past roles, emphasizing patience and clarity', "Why you're personally motivated by measuring social cohesion impact, not just measurement generally", 'How you balance attention to detail in data setup with the bigger-picture goal of field-wide learning']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Explore the 'Social Cohesion Impact Measure' (SCIM) framework—understand what it aims to measure even if technical details aren't public
  • → Look at Listen First Project's partner map and identify 2-3 organizations in their network whose work resonates with you
  • → Review their public reports or blog posts about bridging divides to understand their specific approach and language
  • → Understand what a 'backbone organization' means in collective impact frameworks and how it differs from direct service
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk me through how you would explain 'statistical significance' to a nonprofit program manager with no stats background
2 Describe your experience troubleshooting technical tools for non-technical users—what approaches work best?
3 How would you handle a partner organization that is frustrated with their SCIM data or doesn't see its value?
4 What interests you about working with a network of 500+ organizations rather than a single organization?
5 How do you stay detail-oriented in spreadsheet work while keeping the larger social impact goals in mind?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on your statistical/data analysis skills without demonstrating partner support or communication abilities
  • Treating this as a generic data role rather than showing specific interest in social cohesion and bridge-building
  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't reference Listen First Project's network approach or the SCIM tool specifically

📅 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:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Listen First Project!

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