Research & Policy Analyst

Description:

Research & Policy Analyst

Delmar, NY

Organizational Overview

Youth Research, Inc. (YRI) assists the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) and its’ state and local partners in developing, administering, and delivering training and learning opportunities and related activities for the full range of services for which OCFS is responsible, such as child welfare, juvenile justice, childcare, adoption and foster care, youth development, and child and adult protective services.

Duties

Under the supervision of the Director of Research & Policy, the Research & Policy Analyst will play a critical role in expanding the capacity of the Center for Excellence for Evidence-Based Program Implementation (CfE). The Analyst will support the CfE’s mission by conducting research, data analysis, and policy assessment to inform planning, coordination, and evaluation for the rollout, implementation, and sustainability of key evidence-based programs. Key programs include Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BSFT) as well as EBP practices identified within the New York State Family First Prevention Services Act, Prevention Plan. Housed within the Strategy, Equity and Advancement (SEA) department, the Research & Policy Analyst will work closely with other key department staff and CfE staff.

To successfully manage these responsibilities, the Research & Policy Analyst must possess skills that would enable them to effectively complete the following duties:

• Serve as a content expert for projects involving child welfare by staying current on policy, practice, and NYS initiatives.
• Work closely with the Director of Research & Policy to manage, review, and report on large amounts of data pertaining to training, training outcomes, and EBP fidelity.
• Conduct research including:

o Write/present on review of literature.

o Construct and administer surveys.

o Develop and administer focus group protocol.

o Collect, clean, and collate large amounts of quantitative data.

o Analyze both qualitative and quantitative data for the purposes of measuring outcomes, making strategic recommendations, discovering trends and using visualization techniques to present recommendations.

o Using various software programs (Excel, SPSS/Stata, PowerBI, or similar software) to manage and analyze data and display results.

o Write reports for various stakeholder groups, including summary reports, white papers, and executive summary.

o Present findings to various stakeholder groups or at conferences

• Use research to make strategic policy recommendations.
• Support team initiatives by conducting background research, finding and presenting relevant data sources, and serving as a resource for other colleagues/external partners with developing surveys/focus group protocol, analyzing data, and using data for fidelity monitoring or continuous quality improvement (CQI).
• Maintain consistent and effective communication internally among necessary members of Middle and Senior Management as well as external stakeholders and partners.
• Work vertically and horizontally across the organization and with external stakeholders and partners to help ensure coordination and alignment on strategic project goals and objectives.
• Work closely with the Director of Research & Policy and the Director of Development to find and apply for future funding opportunities.

Requirements:

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Education, Nonprofit Management, Public Policy, Public Administration, or closely related field and 6 years of demonstrably progressive research experience OR
• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a field noted above and 4 years demonstrably progressive research experience OR
• Doctorate degree from an accredited college or university in a field noted above with 2 years demonstrably progressive research experience.
• Experience in interdisciplinary communication and collaboration across areas of expertise.
• Knowledge of child welfare/child and family well-being systems, the Family First Prevention Services Act, and preventive practices.
• Well-developed analytical skills with an ability to synthesize complex information and apply it to strategic recommendations.
• Proficiency working with SPSS/Stata/PowerBi or similar software used for data analytics, interpretation, outcome analysis, and statistically driven recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage large scale projects and significant amounts of data.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent and demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships.
• Proven ability to manage project outcomes.
• Commitment to teamwork and proactively fostering a collegial work environment.
• A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging with experience working with diverse groups and populations.
• Intermediate-level computer skills required – including high proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and project management software.

Additional Information

Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. YRI is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. YRI is committed to ensuring equal opportunity for persons with disabilities and workplace diversity. It is the policy of YRI to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of the position for which they are applying or for which they are employed. YRI does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices and complies with all regulations promulgated by the

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under title I of the ADA.