Job Opportunities API

Position: Lead Researcher and Subject Matter Expert (SME) Engagement Type: Short Term Consultancy Location: Fully Remote McColm & Company (McColm) is a mission-driven and customer-focused professional services firm that equips change makers with the knowledge, skills, and insights they need to succeed in an increasingly complex world. McColm specializes in supporting U.S. federal customers with national security, human services, foreign affairs, and emergency response-focused portfolios by managing bespoke professional training programs, delivering effective capacity building solutions, and providing highly specialized technical assistance and analysis expertise to decision makers. McColm’s Justice and Resilience Practice supports U.S. Government clients working to identify and mitigate forced labor and human trafficking risks globally. McColm seeks a subject matter expert to serve as the Lead Researcher and Subject Matter Expert (SME) for a Strategic Assessment and Gap Analysis project related to force labor and human trafficking in global supply chains. The Lead Researcher will serve as the methodological lead for this project and is the principal author of study. The project combines structured stakeholder interviews and focus groups, stakeholder surveys, document and policy review, analysis of utilization data, and comparative benchmarking. Findings are triangulated across data sources to characterize operational, technical, policy, content, and capability gaps, and to inform prioritized, evidence-based recommendations on future-state operating, governance, and funding models. The position is fully remote and requires virtual meetings and briefings with government personnel and stakeholders. The Lead Researcher coordinates closely with the U.S. Government client, a Senior Project Director, a supporting Investigator/SME, and lived experience expert reviewers. This position is classed as a 1099 Independent Contractor. Duties The responsibilities of the Lead Researcher and SME include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following duties: Serve as lead researcher and methodological lead for the assessment, drafting the methodology and tool development, including stakeholder mapping, sampling strategy, interview and focus group protocols, survey instruments, and the analytic framework. Design and lead all data collection activities, including structured stakeholder interviews and focus groups, stakeholder surveys, document and policy review, and analysis of utilization data. Lead comparative benchmarking analysis. Triangulate qualitative and quantitative findings across data sources; identify operational, technical, policy, content, and capability gaps; and characterize evidence limitations and confidence levels with methodological transparency. Draft substantive sections of the Draft and Final Strategic Assessment and Gap Analysis Reports, including current-state, governance, and sustainability assessments; utilization and comparative value findings; benchmarking observations; gap, risk, and maturity analysis; and future-state operating, governance, and funding options. Coordinate closely with the Senior Project Director, a supporting Investigator/SME, and network consultant reviewers, and participate in periodic virtual meetings with government personnel and stakeholders.