Senior Policy Analyst (Children and Families)

TITLE: Senior Policy Analyst (Children and Families)
ORGANIZATION: National Governors Association
LOCATION: Washington, DC (onsite)
DURATION: Full Time
POSITION STATUS: Exempt
COMPENSATION: A competitive compensation package will be made to the qualified candidate
REPORTS TO: Program Director (Children and Families)

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND
Founded in 1908, the National Governors Association is the bipartisan organization of Governors from the 55 states, territories and commonwealths. NGA’s mission is to share best practices, address issues of national and state interest, and drive innovative solutions that improve state government and support the principles of federalism.

NGA’s Center for Best Practices is the policy and research arm that helps Governors develop and implement solutions to public policy challenges. NGA’s Government Relations group assists in ensuring the voice of Governors are heard in Congress, and the Executive Branch and NGA’s Communications team collaborates with Governors’ offices to amplify bipartisan messaging and strategy.

Throughout the year, NGA convenes Governors and senior advisors for meaningful discourse, problem- solving and thought leadership.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SENIOR POLICY ANALYST (CHILDREN AND FAMILIES)
NGA is looking to add a bright, resourceful, and organized Senior Policy Analyst to our Center for Best Practices team. The Senior Policy Analyst’s primary responsibilities will be to support Governors and other state executive branch leaders on a range of issues related to human services and early childhood education and care.

Key issue areas the Senior Policy Analyst will focus on include the identification and development of policy solutions related to, social services, including: maternal child health, early child development, early learning, social determinants of health, social services infrastructure, public benefits systems, human services workforce, economic mobility, multigenerational strategies for strengthening families, nutrition and food security, child welfare, family and domestic violence, concrete supports, primary prevention, Medicaid, and other aspects of human and social services delivery. This position is vital for improving outcomes for children and families in the states, and the Senior Policy Analyst will assist the Program Director in managing a variety of projects to carry out this work. This member of the team will be expected to be full-time in Washington, DC.

Other important responsibilities of the Senior Policy Analyst include:

• Lead the development of events (including in-person, hybrid, and virtual events) to include: workshops, seminars, meetings, and presentations. Develop session content, plan and facilitate panel discussions, state strategy sessions, and other events for Governors, senior state policy staff, and key stakeholders on program and policy issue areas;
• Provide ‘best practice’ guidance and state technical assistance to Governors’ policy advisors, other state policymakers, NGA committees, task forces, and other work groups;
• Manage multiple ongoing projects and facilitate new project development, including engaging with partners and funders, working with sub-contracts and consultants, ensuring the timely completion of deliverables, scoping and designing new projects, and drafting grant proposals.
• Write reports, articles, issue briefs, case studies, guides, tools, and memoranda on program and policy issues and best practices of relevance to Governors and their policy staffs and other state policymakers; Establish and maintain relationships with key individuals and groups within and outside NGA
• Maintain topical experience in state and federal program and policy issues;
• Demonstrate a commitment to NGA’s mission and goals to constructively serve the needs of all
• Governors; and
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor, Deputy Director, and Director, Center for Best Practices.

QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree in public policy or a related field. Candidates should also have five or more years of experience working in areas of policies and program that are within the portfolio, including expert knowledge of and experience working on issues related to a wide range of human services and early childhood development policy and state policy approaches to addressing the needs of families. Ideal candidates will have knowledge of social services systems and family strengthening policy opportunities related to early childhood governance and funding, maternal child health, mental health, prevention and safety net programs, early learning, economic and concrete supports, child welfare, and other aspects of human services delivery.

Knowledge and expertise could include helping Governors, their staff and their executive branch appointees design and implement evidence-based policies focused on achieving specific outcomes. Experience working with Governors, working in federal or state agencies or in non-profit organizations is preferred. Candidates with commensurate lived experience will also be considered.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated ability to:

• Have foundational content knowledge and experience related to federal and state policy in policy issue area(s);
• Understand state policy and policy making and the role of Governors in advancing specific policies;
• Identify and track key issues of concern to Governors and develop initiatives to address those concerns;
• Proven ability to communicate effectively in verbal forms and facilitate meetings, with particular emphasis on the ability to communicate with policy-making audiences;
• Have strong research, analytical skills, including ability to synthesize complex issues into audience-appropriate policy considerations and recommendations;
• Manage multiple projects, work with high-level state policymakers in a variety of settings, and respond effectively to their needs for information and technical assistance;
• Customer-service orientation with strong interpersonal skills, including the skills necessary to effectively work with colleagues, partner organizations and a variety of high-ranking state policymakers as well as enthusiasm for collaboration with colleagues;
• Strong analytical skills and experience interpreting and re-purposing research and best practices for policymakers in a timely and effective manner;
• Ability and willingness to work independently and take a proactive approach to problem-solving;
• Conduct qualitative evaluations of projects and produce subsequent reports;
• Prepare grant applications and reports on grant progress;
• Be flexible and adaptable to working in multiple programs and policy issues;
• Have knowledge and understanding of MS Office suite and web tools; and
• Travel, as necessary.

HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates should apply online through NGA’s career site. NGA uses Clear Company and all information is kept strictly confidential. An application is considered when all required fields are completed. Please include:

• Your resume highlighting your education, experience, and direct transferable skills
• A portfolio of your best work (attach to your candidate profile via Clear Company)

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY DEMANDS
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. NGA is committed to providing a productive and safe environment. To achieve that goal, we conduct background and reference check investigations for all final applicants being considered for employment.

WORKING AT THE NATIONAL GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION
NGA staff proudly serve our nation’s Governors daily and it’s our mission to ensure we offer a
comprehensive, competitive benefits package designed to support the needs of NGA employees.

NGA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/D/F/V). NGA is committed to fostering an energetic, collaborative, diverse and inclusive workforce. We promote diversity and provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, or any other legally protected factor. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.