Insight Policy Research is hiring a
Technical Assistance and Policy Research Analyst in Worldwide

Summary

The job is for a research and policy position at Westat Insight focusing on safety net programs like SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, and WIC. The role involves analyzing policies, managing projects, collecting data, drafting reports, facilitating workgroups, and potentially traveling. The company offers full-time telework, growth opportunities, competitive salaries, and comprehensive benefits in a collegial, family-friendly environment.

Requirements

• Graduate degree in public policy, law, sociology, social work, education, or a related field (and professional experience preferred); or bachelor’s degree and 2–5 years’ work experience in public policy, social policy research, or social safety net program delivery for a government agency, nonprofit, or consulting firm
• Working knowledge and understanding of public assistance programs to help low-income populations
• Background and interest in public policy and improving the way social safety net programs are operationalized
• Strong organizational skills
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and meet competing deadlines
• Ability to work well independently and as part of a highly-collaborative team
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience using Microsoft office programs; ability to quickly learn new programs like project management tools (e.g., Smartsheet, Microsoft Planner ) and data collection and analytical tools (e.g., Qualtrics, NVivo)

Responsibilities

• Work with experts to analyze the policy and operations of safety net programs, and make recommendations to federal, state, and local administrators
• Develop project schedules and manage all aspects of project collaboration, both internal and client-facing. Schedule client meetings and take detailed meeting notes
• Collect, consolidate, and analyze programmatic data. Research statutes, regulations, and policy guidance to examine emerging policy issues
• Draft reports, presentations, policy briefs, and toolkits to help agencies improve policy implementation
• Facilitate workgroups that bring together diverse, interested groups to collaborate on policy and implementation. Support virtual and in-person policy trainings, technical assistance, and data collection
• Work independently and with teams to manage multiple overlapping deadlines. Work with a team to ensure project activities are completed in an accurate and timely manner

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing materials that explain complex policy to a wide audience
• Experience presenting in front of an audience and/or facilitating in-person or virtual meetings
• Experience in policy research
• Familiarity with human-centered design or other people-first approaches to problem solving
• Experience working to advance equity in government policy

Benefits

• Full-time telework
• Outstanding potential for growth
• Competitive salaries
• Comprehensive benefits in a collegial, family-friendly environment