CVH is seeking a Policy and Research Coordinator to help advance our economic justice organizing in low-income communities in New York City and State. The organization is seeking someone to help to bring our work to the next level. After undergoing dramatic expansion over the past few years (in terms of locations, membership and issues), the organization is now positioned to have an even greater impact on a broader range of policies at the local and state levels.

CVH seeks an individual interested in bringing technical skills and expertise to the grassroots – someone wanting to support the development of policy from the ground up and anxious to fuse one’s policy/ research work with ongoing direct-action organizing campaigns. This is an ideal position for individuals with experience or interest in action-oriented and participatory research methodologies.

Policy and research work will be oriented around our five current organizational policy priority areas: a just social safety net (welfare issues), good jobs & access to them (workforce development), truly affordable housing (including public housing), sustainable & resilient communities (climate justice), and a participatory democracy. Initial work of the Policy and Research Coordinator will focus on a number of projects that are already in progress: (1) building out entry points and career pathways for welfare recipients and the long-term unemployed, particularly into the public sector and the trades unions, (2) crafting proposals around true engagement of public housing residents in the NYC Housing Authority and assisting with surfacing financing options for maintaining the public housing stock, (3) supporting work reviewing proposals for community-based planning efforts in East Harlem and the Hudson Valley, and (4) exploring policy/ programmatic ideas around the intersection of climate justice with our constituency and focal issue areas.

The position provides a unique opportunity to engage multiple strategies for assisting in moving campaigns forward:

Develop Policy Proposals: craft proposals for local policies and programs that support the advancement of low-income families and communities.
Conduct Research: conceptualize and carry out research on programs and policies impacting low-income families – can include both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis (with possible supervision of data gatherers).
Support Campaigns: work with community members and organizational staff to develop and implement campaign strategy to win policy proposals at city and state levels.
Provide Training to Community Members: develop and conduct trainings for community leaders on policy issues and processes.
Advocate for Change: participate in meetings with elected officials and governmental committees, and help prepare community members to do the same, to promote organizational policy proposals.
Work in Coalition: participate in and facilitate meetings with allies and additional stakeholders in order to advance progressive policies and programs in line with campaign goals.
Fundraising:support fundraising efforts of the organization around both institutional (proposal & report writing) and individual giving (direct asks).

Prospective candidates should possess the following qualifications:

Demonstrated commitment to building long-term power for low-income people of color, their families, and their communities.
3-5 years of research, organizing, or political advocacy experience on public policy issues.
Excellent research, analytical, writing, and oral communication skills.
The capacity to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
Graduate degree in public policy/ administration, urban planning, social work, or relevant field is desired. College-level coursework in social sciences is a minimum requirement.
Experience in quantitative and qualitative research and analysis, including facility with data analysis software, is preferred. Research design and project management experience is a plus. Previous exposure to action-oriented participatory research methodologies is an advantage.

How to apply

Please send a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and names & contact information for three references to: Sondra Youdelman, Executive Director, Community Voices Heard, 115 East 106th Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10029 OR by email to cvh@CVHaction.org. If emailing, please put “Policy & Research Coordinator” in the subject line.

CVH is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, LGBTQ individuals, and people with experience receiving public assistance or living in public or subsidized housing are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information please check out our web page at: www.CVHaction.org.

Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled, however, we encourage people to submit materials by November 15th, 2015 for the initial review. Interview process will begin during the week of December 1st. We hope to fill this position by year-end and start on January 4th (with a possible earlier start in December).