The nonprofit Urban Institute is dedicated to elevating the debate on social and economic policy.
Within the Urban Institute, the Policy Advisory Group (PAG) is a team of policy analysts focused on accelerating the development and use of actionable knowledge to shape and inform the policy challenges facing urban America. PAG works to address a fundamental challenge for stakeholders aiming to improve outcomes for urban areas: how to bridge the gap between research and policy.
The Policy Advisory Group seeks a dynamic and highly motivated individual to work as a Research Assistant to support research and policy analysis projects related to a variety of urban policy topics.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The successful candidate will support the Senior Management in the Policy Advisory Group and other research staff with background research on a range of topics by collecting and analyzing both quantitative and qualitative information; producing PowerPoint presentations and various forms of data visualization, including tables, maps, and graphics for reports; contributing to other products that translate research for policy and practice. Research and policy topics could include pay for success, assisted housing policy, community development, economic development, and other urban policy topics.
Other tasks may include: planning and preparation for substantive interactions with researchers and policymakers; providing background support for drafting letters, emails, memos, presentations, talking points for internal and external audiences; supporting researchers preparing written products such as literature reviews, op-eds, reports, policy briefs, blog posts and social media; and support for scheduling onsite and offsite meetings.
This individual will need to exercise judgment on priority of tasks, meetings, incoming materials for review, pending decisions as well as handle confidential and non-routine information/matters.
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's degree required, preferably in the field of Public Policy, Urban Studies, Political Science, or other social science field. The successful candidate must have outstanding writing ability and be well-organized, highly motivated, and able to work effectively on multiple projects at once. Prior work experience or public policy related internship experience in fast-paced office environments is preferable and with federal, state, local policymakers, philanthropic and/or non-profits leaders is a plus. Should have a strong interest in one or more of the following topics: low-income and affordable housing, evidence-based policymaking, neighborhood revitalization, local government, housing as a platform, economic development, inclusive communities, and federal policy and systems. Facility with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, mobile technology, and social media tools is essential.
Apply here.
