Research Analyst: Child Policy (Center on Labor, Human Services, and Population)
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
The Opportunity:
Central to Urban’s mission is fostering a truly inclusive community that ensures ongoing relevance to a changing world. The Center on Labor, Human Services, and Population of the Urban Institute seeks a full-time Research Analyst who will be responsible for assisting with research related to child policy, including early childhood research, foster care and the child welfare system.
The Research Analyst will work on a variety of child policy projects and proposals. Ideal candidates will have interest and experience in one or more areas related to child policy, such as child care, early education, early childhood home visiting, parenting and family interventions, children and youth with a history of foster care, including services and outcomes for youth aging out of foster care, and preventing child maltreatment.
The Research Analyst will conduct quantitative data analyses, write literature reviews, support project management, and participate in reporting research findings and presenting data. In addition, the Analyst may support data collection, such as planning site visits, administering surveys, and conducting interviews and focus groups for qualitative studies.
What You’ll Do:
- Assemble and analyze quantitative data using software programs such as Stata and SAS
- Assist in the development and administration of surveys and questionnaires
- Prepare interview and focus group protocols, manage recruitment, and lead and support research team in collecting qualitative data through site visits and phone data collection
- Analyze qualitative data to draw out key themes using qualitative data software (e.g. NVivo, ATLAS.ti)
- Contribute to presentations, reports, articles, policy briefs, and other written materials
- Organize internal and external meetings including developing meeting materials and writing up meeting recaps
- Manage proposal and project budgets, create project timelines and schedules and manage timely delivery of progress reports and deliverables
- Review and evaluate prior research to provide insight and write literature reviews
- Communicate effectively with multiple research teams and project leaders
- Support peers and research assistants on project tasks
Who You Are:
The successful candidate will have:
- A Master’s Degree in Public Policy, Social Work, Public Health, Economics, Statistics or related social science field (or will complete by December 2021). A candidate with a Bachelor’s degree and multiple years of related research experience will be considered.
- A demonstrated interest in early childhood research and/or foster care and the child welfare system
- Strong quantitative research skills; experience with qualitative methods is a plus
- Prior experience with Stata or R or other quantitative analysis software is required
- Outstanding writing ability
- Excellent organizational skills
- The ability to work effectively on multiple projects and to take initiative in a fast-paced environment
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.
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 five months of service and 1,000 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.
As a federal contractor, Urban will comply with Executive Order (EO) 14042 that requires federal contractors, subcontractors, and their respective employees to comply with Covid-19 vaccinations. All Urban Institute employees must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and comply with masking and distancing requirements, regardless of responsibilities or work location. New hires must also be fully vaccinated before starting work. Employees may request exemption from vaccination against COVID-19 based on either a medical condition or a sincerely held religious belief that prevents them from being vaccinated. Where such an exemption is approved, Urban will discuss with each employee potential accommodation.
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.
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.