Senior Policy Analyst

Overview Action4Equity is seeking a Senior Policy Analyst to help transform community priorities into policy change. This is not a traditional research position. We are looking for someone who understands that data informs policy, but communities should drive it. The Senior Policy Analyst will conduct policy research, analyze legislation, synthesize community input, develop policy recommendations, produce reports, and support local and statewide advocacy initiatives centered on racial equity and community well-being. This position works closely with the Chief Policy Officer, People's Research Councils, community leaders, researchers, and coalition partners. There is opportunity for ongoing engagement following the initial project period. About Action4Equity Action4Equity is a Black-led systems change organization advancing equity through community organizing, community governance, public policy, and community development. Our work spans education, housing, health, economic mobility, justice, and community well-being using the Seven Vital Conditions framework. We believe communities should govern the decisions that affect their lives. Project Objective Develop the research and policy infrastructure necessary to advance Action4Equity's local and statewide policy agenda. Success means producing research that directly influences public policy, institutional practice, and community decision-making. Responsibilities Conduct policy research on local, state, and federal issues Analyze legislation, regulations, budgets, and administrative policies Monitor legislative activity relevant to Action4Equity priorities Produce policy briefs and issue papers Develop data visualizations and policy presentations Translate technical research into community-friendly materials Support People's Research Council meetings with research and analysis Conduct equity impact analyses Research best practices from across the country Develop recommendations for policy campaigns Assist with strategic advocacy initiatives Analyze public budgets and funding opportunities Prepare testimony and presentation materials Support grant writing with policy research Maintain policy databases and research libraries Support coalition partners with research requests Initial 90-Day Deliverables Phase 1 (Days 1–30) Complete policy landscape assessment Inventory current policy initiatives Develop research repository Create legislative tracking system Develop policy research templates Identify priority policy opportunities Produce baseline policy scan Phase 2 (Days 31–60) Develop policy briefs Produce issue analyses Conduct comparative policy research Develop community data profiles Support People's Research Council recommendations Create policy dashboards Develop legislative summaries Phase 3 (Days 61–90) Complete major policy reports Produce advocacy materials Develop annual policy research agenda Create policy monitoring system Develop impact measurement framework Support implementation of priority campaigns Prepare board-ready policy reports Qualifications Required Bachelor's degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Public Administration, Sociology, Economics, Law, Education, Public Health, or related field 3–7 years of policy research experience Strong analytical and writing skills Experience analyzing legislation and public policy Experience synthesizing quantitative and qualitative data Excellent communication skills Preferred Master's degree Experience working with Black communities Experience in racial equity policy Experience with education, health, housing, or economic mobility policy Experience supporting advocacy campaigns Experience with collective impact initiatives Experience working with nonprofits or government Technical Skills Preferred experience with: Microsoft Office Google Workspace Asana Airtable Tableau or Power BI Census and public data sources GIS mapping (preferred) AI research tools Deliverables Successful candidates should be capable of producing: Policy briefs Legislative analyses White papers Community research reports Equity impact analyses Budget analyses Policy presentations Data summaries Executive briefings Public testimony Proposal Requirements Please include: Examples of policy reports or briefs you have written. Your experience supporting policy campaigns or advocacy initiatives. An example of research that influenced a policy decision. Experience translating complex research into accessible public materials. Experience working with community organizations, government, or nonprofits. Your availability over the next 90 days. Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate understands that policy research is only valuable when it informs action. They can move seamlessly between data analysis, legislative research, community engagement, and executive communication. They produce research that is rigorous enough for policymakers while remaining accessible to residents and community leaders.