Research Analyst, Food Assistance

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) is a nonpartisan research and policy institute that advances federal and state policies to help build a nation where everyone — regardless of income, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, ZIP code, immigration status, or disability status — has the resources they need to thrive and share in the nation’s prosperity.

CBPP combines rigorous research and analysis, strategic communications, and effective advocacy to shape debates, affect policy, and inform effective implementation both nationally and in states. It works closely with a broad set of national, state, and community organizations to design and advance policies that promote economic justice; improve health; broaden opportunity in areas like housing, health care, employment, and education; and lower structural barriers for people of color and others in communities that continue to face systemic barriers to opportunity. CBPP promotes policies that will build a more equitable nation and fair tax policies that can support these gains over the long term. CBPP also shows the harmful impacts of policies and proposals that would deepen poverty, widen disparities, and worsen health outcomes.

CBPP’s Food Assistance policy team focuses on reducing hunger and food insecurity (lack of consistent access to nutritious food) by improving access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), the SUN Bucks (Summer Electronic Benefit) program, and the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. The team also promotes collaboration between these programs and other benefit programs supporting low-income people (such as Medicaid, rental assistance and other housing programs, and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program). The team provides data and technical assistance to an array of important stakeholders, including federal and state policymakers, program administrators, national partners, and a growing network of state-level advocates, journalists, and the public. The team’s work includes promoting effective approaches at the federal, state, and local levels to provide food assistance to low- and moderate-income families and individuals; developing and analyzing proposed changes in government policies; conducting research on the need for food assistance and the implications of food assistance policy choices; and working with other nonprofits on these issues. CBPP helps shape the debate on food assistance policies, and its analyses and experts are quoted frequently in the press and heavily relied upon by policymakers and peers.

CBPP is seeking a Research Analyst to join its Food Assistance policy team. Working with other members of the team, the Research Analyst will work on projects that focus primarily on federal- and state-level SNAP, WIC, and child nutrition policy, budget, and implementation issues. The Research Analyst is responsible for conducting accurate and replicable quantitative research and analyses using administrative and survey data, working closely with other team members. The Research Analyst is also expected to keep abreast of federal and state policy developments, program operations, and related research to and provide useful and accessible information for policymakers, state-level advocates, and the public.

Responsibilities:

• Provide analytical support to the team, including writing programming code (in Stata or R) to extract, transform, clean, and perform advanced manipulation of quantitative data; preparing tables, graphs, and other data visualizations to present analytic findings; and factchecking and updating CBPP’s reports, blogs, and other products.
• Conduct high-quality data analysis and research on food assistance programs and disseminate it in the form of clearly written policy papers, reports, blogs, and memos.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of federal and state food assistance policy proposals, including legislative and regulatory proposals as well as budget analyses.
• Understand how nutrition assistance programs intersect with the delivery of other benefits for low-income people (such as health care, cash assistance, and childcare) to inform policies and procedures that streamline the enrollment process and make program participation more human-centered and less burdensome.
• Contribute to or author reports, memos, blogs, public comments, and other products that translate complex policies and analyses for different audiences.
• Provide technical assistance, training, and strategic guidance to federal and state policymakers and advocacy organizations.
• Attend and help organize coalition meetings, briefings, and other major policy events with external partners, including people with lived expertise, to understand priorities, provide input on CBPP’s work, share CBPP’s recommendations, and develop advocacy strategies.
• Respond to information and speaking requests from policymakers, the media, and other national and state organizations and engage in activities that promote the exchange of information and collaborative efforts to affect policies within and among states.

Qualifications:

• At least four years of relevant work experience. A graduate degree in a relevant field (economics, political science, public policy, social work, sociology, statistics, or another related field) may substitute for two years’ work experience.
• Strong quantitative analysis skills, including the ability to manipulate data using Excel and statistical software (preferably Stata or R) and interpret academic studies that rely on statistical analysis, and an exemplary commitment to the accuracy and transparency of analytic work.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts to diverse audiences and to synthesize data and research into clear, effective arguments.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to work independently and collaboratively, stay on top of multiple projects, anticipate obstacles, and meet strict deadlines.
• Commitment to achieving economic and racial justice for people with low incomes so they can meet their basic needs, and a desire to deepen understanding of how federal, state, and local policies can address institutional and structural racism and economic segregation.
• Lived expertise as a member of a marginalized or underrepresented group (or experience working with people in those communities) is highly valued.
• Occasional travel (one to two trips annually) may be required to present at conferences and other convenings.

CBPP is currently operating on a hybrid work schedule of two in-office days (Tuesday and Wednesday) per week as well as the first Thursday of each month in our Washington, D.C. office.

This position reports to the Director of Research for Food Assistance.

Terms of Employment: Full-time; exempt

Bargaining Unit Status: This is a bargaining unit position.

Compensation: Salary for the role starts at $70,000 annually and goes up to $85,000, with the exact salary to be determined based on total relevant experience; excellent benefits (including health insurance, vision and dental coverage, life and long-term disability insurance, retirement, MERP, and DCAP), and generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday schedules.

Please upload a cover letter and resume. In your cover letter, please include a discussion of what draws you to CBPP’s mission.

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter here.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and welcomes diversity in the workplace and strongly encourages all qualified persons to apply regardless of race, color, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, credit information, pregnancy or parental status, family responsibilities, personal appearance, creed, military or veteran status, religion, ancestry or national origin, union activities, disability, or other status protected by applicable law.