Policy Assistant (Office of Policy Impact)

About Urban Institute: At the Urban Institute, we believe in the power of evidence to improve lives and strengthen communities. As a nonprofit focusing on social and economic policy, our researchers and policy entrepreneurs open minds, shape decisions, and identify transformative solutions to the most pressing issues of our time. Our Mission To open minds, shape decisions, and offer solutions through economic and social policy research. Our Values Collaboration, Equity, Inclusivity, Independence, and Integrity For more information on the Urban Institute, please visit https://www.urban.org. The Opportunity: The Impact & External Affairs team at the Urban Institute seeks a curious, creative, and strategic policy assistant to support the Associate Director of Policy Impact in the development and implementation of a new impact framework. In this entry-level role, the policy assistant will work across the impact and external affairs domain, which includes the communications, development, and government affairs teams, and across Urban to help deepen and track the impact of Urban’s work. Day-to-day, the policy assistant will coordinate and prepare materials for meetings, compile background on stakeholders including practitioners or local advocacy groups, work with research teams to plan follow-up with key audiences, and write case studies about how Urban’s policy research drives population-level impact. The policy assistant will also support the impact team and in and implementing trainings and workshops and will help to track priorities to ensure effective collaboration across teams in the impact domain. This is a new role in a small office, so the ideal candidate will be comfortable creating materials and processes from scratch and willing to navigate ambiguity. Though this is not a policy research role, candidates should be curious about policy and excited to dive into research. What You’ll Do: Compile background research on non-governmental changemakers to support researchers in designing impactful projects Support the planning and delivery of workshops, trainings, and tools that help researchers develop and execute impactful projects and bodies of work Occasionally support researchers in increasing their impact by conducting background research, gathering resources, planning engagements, or managing logistics Deepen our understanding of the impact of Urban’s work by tracking changes to policy, practice, or narrative and by following up directly with key audiences Capture impact case studies for internal use Help to collect and organize impact stories, working with tech and data colleagues to improve tracking and with communications and development colleagues to ensure consistent and coordinated storytelling Communicate and coordinate across the impact and external affairs domain (communications, development, and government affairs) to spot opportunities for collaboration and ensure alignment to research areas’ theories of change and impact Coordinate efforts to draft a policy impact framework and a set of measures for capturing the impact of policy research. Provide project management support to the impact and external affairs team by scheduling meetings and coordinating logistics; drafting emails, agendas, talking points, and presentations; taking notes and identifying action items and next steps. Who You Are: The successful candidate will: Have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in public policy or a related social science field Demonstrate interest in public policy and/or nonprofit management through their academic major, prior work experience, volunteer work, or leadership positions in academic and/or extra-curricular settings. Experience in fast-paced work environments that engage with policymakers or nonprofit leaders is a plus. Exhibit excellent verbal and written communication skills. Demonstrate commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Be curious about how research can influence policy and people’s lives. Be willing to take the initiative to suggest improvements or innovations on assigned tasks. Display strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Demonstrate capacity to engage and communicate with individuals of differing backgrounds and experience. Have a willingness to learn, adapt, and suggest improvements. What You’ll Experience: No matter your role with Urban, you will contribute to meaningful work that makes a difference for people and communities across the country. And whether you call the Washington, DC area or elsewhere home, you can expect to be part of a welcoming and hybrid workplace. We are committed to cultivating a community and working in a manner defined by collaboration, equity, inclusivity, independence, and integrity. Urban’s greatest asset is our people. The target salary range for this position is Min $50,000, Mid $57,557, Max $65,113. Salary offered is commensurate with experience and considers internal equity. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Salaries are just one component of Urban Institute’s total compensation package. Urban is committed to supporting our staff’s physical, emotional, and financial well-being through a robust benefits package for yourself, eligible dependents, and domestic partners. It includes generous paid time off, including nine federal holidays, medical (including prescription), dental and vision insurance, and transit benefits. Urban is unique in that we offer 403(b) retirement plan participation immediately after you’re hired and a generous employer contribution after six months of service and 500 hours, with immediate vesting. You’ll also have access to a health advocate, personal finance coaching, an Employee Assistance Program, and educational assistance for undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The Urban Institute has formally recognized the Urban Institute Employees’ Union, which is part of the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU). Urban management and the Union work together in good faith and are motivated by a shared commitment to this institution. This position is included in the Union-represented collective bargaining unit, and specific employment terms and conditions are subject to collective bargaining negotiations. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the people assigned. This posting is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Urban management reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements to meet business and organizational needs as necessary. The Urban Institute is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender or gender identity, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, veteran status, pregnancy or family responsibilities, matriculation, disability, political affiliation, or any other protected status under applicable law. The Urban Institute is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer Minorities/Women/Disabilities/Veterans. We are committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you have a physical and/or mental disability and are interested in applying for employment and need special accommodations to use our website to apply for a position, please contact Human Resources at humanresources@urban.org. Reasonable accommodation requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. Our Values We believe in the power of evidence to improve lives and strengthen communities. Public policies work best when they are rooted in facts, and our research sparks solutions in programs and practice. Our analyses and recommendations help expand opportunities for all people, reduce hardship among the most vulnerable, and strengthen the fiscal health of governments and effectiveness of public policies. How We Work We conduct sophisticated research to understand and solve real-world challenges in a rapidly urbanizing environment. Our work engages communities at multiple levels—city, state, and country—as we gather data and evaluate programs. Urban Institute scholars blend academic rigor with on-the-ground collaboration, teaming with policymakers, community leaders, practitioners, and the private sector to diagnose problems and find solutions. Founded in 1968 to understand the problems facing America’s cities and assess the programs of the War on Poverty, the Urban Institute brings decades of objective analysis and expertise to policy debates—in city halls and state houses, Congress and the White House, and emerging democracies around the world. Today, our research portfolio ranges from the social safety net to health and tax policies; the well-being of families and neighborhoods; and trends in work, earnings, and wealth building. Our scholars have a distinguished track record of turning evidence into solutions. As an organization, the Urban Institute does not take positions on issues. Scholars are independent and empowered to share their evidence-based views and recommendations shaped by research. Our work environment encourages intellectual honesty, innovation, diversity, and mutual respect. Our analysis elevates debate, wherever it takes place. Learn more about who we are and what we do.

Salary : $65,113