Policy Analyst / Senior Policy Analyst, Center for the American Worker & Higher Education Reform Initiative

Overall Responsibility:

The Policy Analyst/ Senior Policy Analyst will help advance AFPI’s and these centers’ missions by conducting research, assisting in content development, and coordinating with other AFPI teams and external stakeholders to develop and implement policies that empower the American worker and reform the nation’s higher education system.

Department: Policy and Research

Reports to: Center Director(s) and Center Chair(s)

Located in: Washington, D.C.

Policy Analyst Responsibilities and Duties:

• Champion AFPI’s servant leadership culture and nurture an environment of continual learning and improvement.
• Work with the Center Directors and Research Director to develop a policy and research agenda that anticipates future legislative and regulatory action, news coverage, and economic events, at both the federal and state level.
  • Relevant policy priorities include, but are not limited to, apprenticeship programs at the federal and state level, evaluating and reforming various workforce development programs, work requirements for safety net programs, higher education finance (including alignment with workforce needs), licensing reform, and other state and federal workforce and higher education issues.
• Work with Center Director and Communications/Digital to disseminate policy work and build AFPI’s research profile among counterparts at other research institutes and policy stakeholders.
• Identify timely and relevant issues in your policy portfolio and coordinate with Center Directors and Chairs, as well as the Research Director, regarding research plans.
• Research, write, and edit a wide variety of documents, including, but not limited to, white papers, fact sheets, and op-eds for major media sources.
• Ensure that all research and related output reflect the principles of AFPI and adhere to highest standards of research integrity.
• Track policies and legislation of interest as relevant to assigned Center(s) at the local, state, and federal level. Highlight areas where AFPI has the highest potential for impact and help create appropriate plans for AFPI involvement.
• Participate actively in the peer-review and fact-check processes, editing papers and providing helpful feedback for your colleagues to ensure consistent, quality work products; take ownership of shepherding work through the process in collaborative and proactive manner.
• Collaborate with other Centers where relevant, identifying potential areas for input in your own work and serving as a resource on your areas of expertise.
• Identify key stakeholders and coordinate with AFPI leadership, including engagement and development teams, to ensure targeted, effective outreach and collaboration on key policy priorities to maximize impact.
• Organize policy-related meetings and events.
• Effectively advocate for AFPI’s principles and recommendations in public settings.
• Other duties as assigned.

Consults with:

• Center(s) Leadership
• AFPI Leadership
• Communications Staff
• Engagement Staff
• Peers
• Interns

Type of Employment: Full time

Qualifications:

• Completion of a bachelor’s degree or commensurate experience is a minimum requirement. 2-5 years’ professional experience in federal or state government and/or in public policy research roles preferred.
• Demonstrated support for free market principles and American liberties and a willingness to combine these with personal integrity in all Center and Institute decisions.
• Strong research and analytical skills and demonstrated command of data/research material relevant to the Center’s specified policy area.
• Demonstrated familiarity with Center(s) policy issues.
• Experience in designing and implementing legislation and/or policy recommendations with measurable results a plus.
• Strong communication skills and clear, organized, writing.
• The ability to comprehend and analyze complex legislative and regulatory issues, develop detailed free-market recommendations, provide quality research, and assist staff in doing the same.
• The ability to drive forward several multi-stage projects concurrently while meeting deadlines.
• The ability to maintain productive and collegial relationships with staff and uphold the public reputation of the Institute.
• The ability to build and maintain productive and collaborative relationships with external stakeholders.

Salaries for positions will be commensurate with the experience, expertise, and skills of the individual. Please send a cover letter, resume, salary requirement, writing samples, and references.

AFPI is a non-profit, non-partisan research institute offering competitive salaries and benefits to qualified candidates.