Policy Analyst

New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE)

Boston, MA

Position Title: Policy Analyst

Department: Policy & Research

Reports To: Director of Policy & Research

Salary Range: 60,000-70,000

GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Policy Analyst will work to support and grow NEBHE’s grants and strategic initiatives. Specifically, this person will be responsible for conducting a variety of complex investigations and analyses in support of research projects and strategic initiatives related to higher education policy and workforce development in the six New England states. Under the direction of the Director of Policy & Research, the Policy Analyst will also develop and sustain relationships with external stakeholders including policymakers, higher education and business leaders, and subject matter experts across the region.

NEBHE BACKGROUND

Established in 1955 by six visionary New England governors, the New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE) is a regional compact that works across New England to help leaders assess, develop, and implement education practices and policies of regional significance; promote regional cooperation that encourages efficient sharing of education resources; and strengthen the relationship between higher education and the regional economy. Based in downtown Boston, NEBHE is a nonpartisan, non-profit organization.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

Policy Analysis and Research

• Conducts qualitative and quantitative research to support policy recommendations and inform policy discussions
• Synthesizes and communicates complex policy topics for a variety of audiences through written briefs, presentations, and other platforms
• Monitors events, policy decisions, trends, and other issues with implications for postsecondary education in the New England
• Responds to inquiries and data requests from stakeholders regarding activities and projects
• Tracks and documents current higher education issues and legislation relevant to state and federal policymakers
• Supports formulation of grant funded proposals and the execution of the Policy & Research Agenda

Program Implementation and Outreach

• Supports grant-funded projects focused on various topics impacting state and HEI policy and practice in the New England states
• Plans and facilitates meetings, workshops, and forums for policymakers and other stakeholders on relevant higher education topics
• Creates and maintains P&R newsletter
• Designs and develops website content for the Policy & Research team
• Represents the organization with dignity, integrity, and a spirit of cooperation in all relationships with staff and the public

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS:

Required

• Bachelor's degree in social sciences, education, or a related field; AND four (4) years of professional research experience in an educational or public policy environment; OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• Excellent communications skills, both written and oral, with the ability to speak to and write clearly for policy audiences such as legislators, governors’ staff, and state agency officials
• Familiarity with quantitative and qualitative research methodology, particularly as they relate to policy research, evaluation, and analysis
• Demonstrated competency in generating effective presentations of data including charts, graphs, maps, and other visual representations and research findings
• Demonstrated project management skills, including exceptional attention to detail and the ability to juggle competing priorities and meet tight deadlines.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective, cooperative, and cordial working relationships
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision within a team structure
• General familiarity with and interest in higher education and related public policies
• Experience with statistical (e.g., R, SPSS, STATA) and data visualization software (e.g., Power BI)

Preferred

• Master's degree in a field appropriate to the analysis of public policy, such as public policy, political science, higher education, sociology, or economics
• APA writing style
• Experience working with open-source, public data sources such as IPEDS, US Census, and Legiscan
• Familiarity with programming languages such as SQL or DAX

We welcome applicants with lived experience in the criminal legal system to apply.

BENEFITS

• Medical and dental insurance
• Life, long/short-term disability
• Retirement plan
• Vacation and holiday pay
• Flexible work environment

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Normal office environment, not subject to extremes in temperature, noise, odors, etc.
• May spend extended periods at a computer
• Ability to travel and stay overnight in and outside of New England and for multiple nights

CONTACT

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume or CV on LinkedIn or via an email to careers@nebhe.org using the subject line "NEBHE Policy Analyst."