Senior Research Analyst

Position Title: Senior Research Analyst

We are a leading national voice on anti-hunger and social justice. We work independently and in coalition with partners to protect and strengthen government nutrition programs that help people put food on the table, explore innovative solutions to persistent challenges to food security, and undertake unique strategies to bring such solutions to fruition. We educate communities across the country about the reality of hunger and how they can join us to help end it.

Position Overview:

The Senior Research Analyst will support and execute the organization's overall policy agenda and strategy. This includes doing original policy-relevant analysis and authoring or co-authoring research, independently analyzing data and presenting findings visually and in writing, providing research support to organization staff (including the CEO, VP of Programs, and VP of Public Policy) on cutting-edge topics, and assisting with editing and producing the organization’s work. The Senior Research Analyst will conduct, translate, communicate, and facilitate research that advances our policy and advocacy work.

Position Location:

Ideally, this position is in Los Angeles, but we will consider candidates at other locations. This hybrid position combines regular in-person presence at our Los Angeles headquarters or our office in Washington, DC, with the understanding that it is permissible to work the majority of the time remotely.

Duties and Responsibilities: Research and Policy Development

• Review policy work, organizational priorities, and proposed advocacy efforts for research possibilities
• Support policy development by researching various policy areas and remaining abreast of the most recent research, writing, and policy activity in multiple areas affecting the organization’s mission.
• Conduct policy analysis: Support our advocacy work by analyzing proposed policy changes, including legislative and regulatory proposals.
• Build relationships with research entities supporting the legislative arm of the federal government
• Conduct secondary research: Independently analyze existing data in Excel, STATA, R, or similar software on food insecurity and our advocacy priority areas.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of national, state, and local data sources essential for our work (e.g., the Census, USDA/Economic Research Service, etc.)
• Initiate research: Lead original research efforts, including our commissioned/co-authored research with outside partners.
• Identify gaps in government data and help craft an advocacy agenda to shape future federal and state government research.

Duties and Responsibilities: Communicate Findings

• Present findings visually and write research memos, blogs, case studies, policy briefs, fact sheets, and other documents that communicate our research and analysis for internally authored and commissioned project papers.
• Provide research assistance to staff for external speaking engagements, including identifying relevant data and studies to reference in presentations to various stakeholder audiences

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Other duties as assigned

Education/Skills Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, Economics, or a social science-related field required
• Three years of relevant experience in policy research required
• Competence to undertake research assignments with little supervision required
• Exemplary writing and editing skills required
• Must have strong organizational skills and the ability to keep track of overlapping calendars and deadlines
• Strong knowledge of and passion for social justice
• Experience with Stata or R, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint required
• Strong quantitative and analytic skills required
• Must be able to take the initiative to explore promising policy areas and absorb and synthesize large amounts of information and data quickly
• Strong knowledge of and passion for public policy and social justice
• Discretion, creativity, maturity, and sound judgment
• Must be a team player and able to work in a small, collaborative environment, often at a fast pace and under time constraints
• Must have the flexibility to take on new roles and responsibilities

Compensation and Benefits:

We offer a compensation package with a competitive salary range of $65,000 - $75,000 per year. Employer-paid benefits include comprehensive medical and life/Disability/AD&D insurance. Other benefits include a 401K plan with an employer match, FSA participation, and dental, vision, and AFLAC insurance at a discounted group rate. We offer a very generous vacation and sick time plan and holiday schedule. We close early on Fridays. We have a hybrid work schedule that allows employees to work some days of the week remotely. We have a fun office environment and a fantastic team dedicated to our meaningful work.

Vaccine Policy: We require all staff and visitors to submit proof of complete vaccination against COVID-19 to be in our buildings.

Individuals that (i) have a qualifying medical condition that contraindicates a COVID-19 vaccination or (ii) object to being vaccinated based on a sincerely held religious belief may request a reasonable accommodation. Our policies on masks and other pandemic mitigation measures will continue to be informed by California, DC, and CDC guidelines.

How to apply: 

Please send a cover letter, resume, and sample of any publications or studies you have worked on to: sranalystjob@gmail.com.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and applicants will be contacted within 4–6 weeks of submission (potentially earlier) if they have been selected for an interview.

Please note: Applicants who meet our minimum application qualifications as outlined in the Job Description may be contacted to submit additional materials required by our hiring committee. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

To ensure we meet our mission and actualize the values and ideals on which our mission is based, we strive to hire, train and retain the most talented staff possible. A vital part of this commitment includes welcoming, respecting, and encouraging diversity among our team and fostering an environment where all staff has the greatest opportunities to thrive. We encourage all candidates to apply for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Please send a cover letter, resume, and sample of any publications or studies you have worked on to: sranalystjob@gmail.com.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and applicants will be contacted within 4–6 weeks of submission (potentially earlier) if they have been selected for an interview.

Please note: Applicants who meet our minimum application qualifications as outlined in the Job Description may be contacted to submit additional materials required by our hiring committee. Incomplete applications will not be considered.