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Policy Research Analyst

Remote - USA

ABOUT ZERO TO THREE

Founded in 1977, ZERO TO THREE works to ensure that babies and toddlers benefit from the early connections that are critical to their well-being and development. Our mission is to ensure that all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life. At ZERO TO THREE, we envision a society with the knowledge and will to support all infants and toddlers in reaching their full potential. Our Core Values Statement: We believe that how we do our work is as important as what we do. To learn more about ZERO TO THREE, please visit our website at zerotothree.org.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

ZERO TO THREE is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer committed to inclusive hiring, advancement, and professional development. It is dedicated to diversity in its work, its staff, and community partners. This is an exceptional opportunity for a professional who shares our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and supports our mission to enhance outcomes for all children.

SUMMARY

The Policy Center at ZERO TO THREE, a nonpartisan, research-based resource for policymakers and advocates on the unique developmental needs of infants and toddlers, is seeking a Policy Research Analyst (Analyst) to support the execution of an equity-driven, coordinated, and cross-cutting policy research agenda that shapes, supports, and advances ZERO TO THREE’s comprehensive policy agenda.

The Analyst reports to the Policy Research Director and will support the research and data needs of ZERO TO THREE’s comprehensive policy agenda and strategies by providing research and analysis, compiling and organizing data, and using innovative approaches to present information in actionable and engaging formats. The Analyst produces high-quality content that captures strong and thoughtful insights and recommendations based on thorough analysis of data, evidence, and research across the field. The Analyst works collaboratively and thoughtfully with colleagues across the organization and within the Policy Center to implement the policy research agenda and will use a wide variety of data tools, formats, and platforms to create materials and content.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Research and Analysis

The Analyst will support the Policy Research Director’s work by monitoring, analyzing, and maintaining a deep and current knowledge of the policy landscape, legislation development, research, data, and other information relevant to ZERO TO THREE’s policy agenda. Applying a racial equity lens, the Analyst will use that knowledge to create high-quality work to support and advance ZERO TO THREE’s policy priorities. The Analyst will conduct comprehensive policy issue research and analyze multi-sector data and evidence to strengthen existing projects and recommend new policy approaches to meet current and emerging needs. This requires the Analyst to be curious and inquisitive with strong capacity to collate and synthesize large bodies of research and data to extract meaningful quantitative and qualitative insights, identify and recommend best practices, draft content that advances new ideas and policy solutions. The Analyst will serve as a thought partner to colleagues and will remain current on the state of literature and research to identify new sources of data and insights, and will conduct novel analyses across public-use, administrative, and internal datasets. The Analyst will create and continually maintain databases of collected policy research and data using current data tools.

Resource Development

The Analyst will develop equity-centered, well-reasoned, and evidence-based policy research that translates data insights, emerging best practices, and innovative thinking into actionable policy recommendations to support the policy agenda. The Analyst will draft persuasive high-quality content to deliver their analysis and recommendations using various forms and mediums, including reports, policy briefs, and other written materials, such as testimony, blog posts, infographics, data visualizations, and updates for an electronic newsletter. The Analyst will work collaboratively with colleagues across the Policy Center, ZERO TO THREE, and external partners to ensure that work products are aligned with organizational priorities and reflect real-world applications. The Analyst will create products tailored to a wide variety of audiences with different needs and levels of understanding, including legislators, policymakers, families, early childhood professionals, and the private sector. The Analyst will work closely with the Communications team throughout the drafting process to ensure content clarity, accessibility of language, and to maximize the versatility of the content. The Analyst will support time-sensitive media opportunities, and other policy events, and will work with colleagues across ZERO TO THREE to develop proposals for both public and private funding opportunities on various topics using innovative study designs.

The Analyst will perform other duties as assigned to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the Policy Center.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

  • Ability to analyze complex data, identify trends, and communicate meaningful insights.
  • A minimum of 3 years prior work experience in policy research, program evaluation, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, and persuasive writing.
  • Strong knowledge of early childhood development and familiarity with the current policy landscape.
  • Proficient in quantitative, qualitative, and community-engaged research methods, including protocol development, data collection, statistical and thematic analysis, and data visualization, including use of relevant software (e.g., SPSS, STATA, or R; Nvivo or ATLAS.ti; Tableau, PowerBI, or Salesforce). Experience cleaning and analyzing public-use data strongly preferred.
  • Strong attention to detail to ensure accuracy and thoroughness.
  • Curious, creative, and inquisitive nature, with ability to apply rigorous thinking to the body of research and evidence to seek answers to unanswered questions, fill gaps in understanding, bring new ideas and fresh perspectives to the work, and advance the field by exploring what comes next/what is possible.
  • Ability to analyze and synthesize complex documents, policies, and proposals and translate them into informed, thoughtful, and persuasive recommendations for colleagues, policymakers, and community members.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated ability to make research findings, policy recommendations, and complicated/technical information understandable and accessible to a variety of audiences using clear and concise messaging; proficient at creating compelling and effective presentations.
  • Ability to work effectively in culturally diverse environments and demonstrate a deep understanding of how different forms of oppression operate on interpersonal, institutional, and structural levels.
  • Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to maintain accuracy and thoroughness in research and analysis while managing multiple projects and shifting priorities and deadlines.
  • Self-motivated and self-directed with ability to work independently and as part of a team committed to excellence.

ESSENTIAL QUALITIES

  • Encourages and practices critical thinking
  • Is self-reflective and empathic
  • Recognizes the influence of workplace relationships on outcomes and results
  • Maintains a respectful and accepting approach to others
  • Awareness of the influence of the larger context on individual behavior
  • Collaboratively and creatively supports the work efforts of colleagues at all levels and in all areas of the organization

EDUCATION

Master’s degree in relevant field, including public policy, childhood development, social science, or a related field OR Bachelor’s degree in a research focused field and at least 5 years of related experience working in social science research.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

This position's salary is estimated to be mid $50,000s to mid $80,000s depending on experience, geo-location, budget, and other comparable and similarly scoped internal positions. In addition to salary, ZERO TO THREE offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, HRA, retirement contributions, generous leave benefits and more.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee is frequently required to use finger dexterity and sufficient hand dexterity to use a computer keyboard and be capable of reading a computer screen. Also, they may need to remain seated for extended periods, can perform repetitive motions, and reach for objects. An employee is frequently required to hold a writing instrument, communicate verbally, and hear well enough to detect nuances and receive detailed information. They may be required to grasp objects, push, and pull objects, bend, stand, walk, squat, or kneel. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision for data preparation or analysis, and expansive reading. May need to lift up to 30 pounds.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The work conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing this job. Depending on work location, the incumbent will typically work indoors in a heated and air-conditioned office, with a mixture of natural, incandescent, and fluorescent light with low to moderate noise levels or be subject to working conditions conducive to a home environment. When travel is expected, the incumbent will be exposed to outside environmental conditions during those times.

ZERO TO THREE is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Women, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.

Due to the high volume of applications, we are not able to provide individual feedback to candidates regarding the status of their application. If selected to move forward in the process, someone from the hiring team will contact you regarding next steps. 

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