Social Policy Analyst

About the New Practice Lab

The New Practice Lab (NPL) works to improve family economic security and well-being – through the way social policy is designed and delivered. We believe good policy design focuses on families’ lived experiences and prioritizes making a difference in people’s daily lives. 

About New America

New America is dedicated to renewing the promise of America by continuing the quest to realize our nation's highest ideals, honestly confronting the challenges caused by rapid technological and social change, and seizing the opportunities those changes create.

Role Description 

The Social Policy Analyst will be a highly competent researcher, writer, and project manager with an understanding of social policy design and delivery who will work as a close partner to the Lab’s Policy and Product Delivery teams to improve team products, project work, and coordination.  

At a high level, we see this Social Policy Analyst working in collaboration with New Practice Lab teammates to:

• Conduct policy research and analysis in the Lab’s core issue areas
• Directly contribute to the development of high-quality written products
• Provide project management support for research, policy impact, and delivery sprint efforts

The Ideal Candidate 

The ideal candidate will have a passion for addressing social and economic inequities through better public policy design and delivery. This person will be a highly competent writer, editor, researcher, and project manager who will thrive in a quickly-changing, start-up environment within a larger, established think-tank, and who can grow and evolve their responsibilities alongside the New Practice Lab as it grows.  We are seeking candidates excited to improve the way policy is made for American families by rolling up their sleeves, implementing a “new practice” and learning in collaboration with community, private, nonprofit and public sector partners. The Lab’s current policy focus is centered on the needs of families with children under the age of 6, some of the most economically and socially vulnerable people in the country. Our goal is to deliver real benefits to this population by improving the way we design and deliver policies for paid family leave, early care and education, and tax credits for working families. It is helpful, but not necessary, to have an understanding of the way these programs work. Experience in any policy area related to social or economic justice will be valuable. 

Responsibilities:

Research & Analysis:

• Conduct research and policy analysis across multiple domains to advance the New Practice Lab’s policy impact and delivery work, as well as its signature multi-year qualitative work with low-income families with young children.
• Monitor relevant new research and policy developments in the Lab’s policy issue areas and synthesize key takeaways and insights for existing projects and the Lab’s work more broadly.
• Provide direct policy research and analysis support for the Lab’s delivery sprints and other time-limited, issue specific engagement.

Writing & Product Development:

• Contribute to the development and production of memos, op-eds, briefs, reports, blog posts, and other internal and external content in collaboration with product owners and New America’s communications team.
• Assist in developing briefings for public sector and nonprofit partners.

Project Management:

• Track project-specific deliverables, milestones, and key performance indicators.
• Support the development of agendas, written updates, and meeting facilitation with project teams to advance the Lab’s policy research, impact, and delivery work.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in relevant field and at least 3 years of relevant experience; preferably in public policy, economics, sociology, or a related field
• Broad familiarity with social and economic policy issues with the ability to get up to speed quickly on a new policy area or research question
• Excellent writing, editing, and communication skills, and the ability to translate complex ideas clearly and concisely for diverse audiences
• Strong organizational skills with an ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize to meet internal and external deadlines
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of collaborative teams  
• Demonstrated interest in fostering equitable outcomes across society, and especially for lower-income communities, communities of color, and other historically marginalized populations
• Curiosity, eagerness, and ability to develop new knowledge and skills

What Success Looks Like in Year One

Success in year one looks like being an active participant in the Lab’s policy impact work, research with families, and product delivery sprints, to include:

• Contributing to the development of at least 2 written products from the Thriving Families project
• Contributing to the development of at least 2 policy impact  products
• Providing policy research and analysis support for at least 2  delivery sprints

Compensation and Benefits: This position is a full-time role with benefits. The annual salary will be between $78,000-$90,000 depending on experience. New America offers a highly competitive benefits package that includes health care, dental, and vision coverage; a generous retirement plan; paid time off; observes all federal holidays; and an office-wide closure between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Location: The position is remote and available to those who can work in time zones that align with the continental U.S. and Puerto Rico.

Application Process

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Along with your resume, please submit:

• A cover letter that describes your qualifications to apply.
• A writing sample that demonstrates your experience with social and economic policy research.

All candidates are subject to legal background checks in the United States.  New America is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce at all levels of the organization thereby creating a culture that allows us to better serve our clientele, our employees, and our communities. We value and encourage the contributions of our employees and strive to create an environment where everyone can reach their full potential and drive outstanding results. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law. This policy applies with regard to all aspects of one’s employment, including hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation, eligibility for benefits, and termination. This is a bargaining unit position.