Policy and Research Analyst Job Description

JOB TITLE:        Policy and Research Analyst
LOCATION:        Washington, DC
REPORTS TO:   Director of Policy Research
FLSA STATUS:  Exempt

SUMMARY: Under the direction of the Director of Policy and Research, the Policy and Research Analyst conducts research, surveys and analyses; compiles and organizes data; and uses new and existing data sources to prepare, enter, arrange and display data in a meaningful and useful format for those who must use the data.

The Analyst will provide ongoing support for the logistical management of AAU’s project-based work. This includes tracking project status, timelines, deliverables, project requirements; preparing for meetings, conference calls, and webinars; and supporting and coordinating internal and external partners.

Under the direction of the Director of Policy and Research, the Analyst will prepare policy studies, papers and other written communications on a variety of topics of importance to research-intensive universities. The Analyst provides general administrative support for the Director of Policy Research and the other members of the policy staff as necessary.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned to meet business needs:

• Conducts background policy research and analysis to support existing projects as well as proposals for new bodies of work; synthesizes research findings to identify and recommend best practices.
• Extracts, collects and aggregates data across databases, information sources, survey responses, and other data sources; ensures data quality; cleans and checks exiting data for consistency and accuracy.
• Develops data visualizations for diverse audiences and develops, formats, and prepares reports, charts, and/or graphs for varying documents and written and oral presentations for both internal and external audiences; collaborates with teams to design and help integrate data into an AAU-approved format.
• Conducts data standardization processes; proactively identifies and proposes alternatives to improve the stability, performance, and accuracy of the data.
• Assists in coordinating, administering, analyzing, and reporting on AAU surveys.
• Assists with one-pagers and topic briefs to support the team’s work.
• Assists in efforts to improve internal information tracking systems and enhance the policy department’s collaborations and communications on integrated activities with other members of the staff.
• Communicates through social media about relevant data and policy issues pertinent to the department.
• Contributes professional expertise and experience concerning science policy, higher education policy, and other policy areas most relevant to research universities.

Policy Department Projects and Initiatives Support

• Provides administrative support to team members when needed.
• Conducts background research and data support for team initiatives.
• Track project timeline, deliverables, and internal/external partners across multiple projects and teams, proactively communicating progress and potential challenges to supervisors and project teams.
• Support the execution of meetings, conference calls, and webinars by coordinating logistics, developing agenda, developing content, taking notes, and following up on resulting action items.
• Support and prepare senior staff for regular internal and external meetings and completion of deliverables; draft talking points and presentations for external audiences.
• Occasionally post social media on topics related to the broader policy department.

Membership Committee Support

• Maintains Committee membership lists and works with Committee staff to schedule calls as necessary.
• Performs data queries, cleans data files, and formatting of data tables.
• Gathers and packages confidential content for the in-person bi-annual meeting; post meeting materials on the secure SharePoint site.
• Packages Membership Committee meeting materials.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to work independently and must have the ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment regarding matters of significance.
• Exceptional time management skills required and an ability to complete tasks in a timely and efficient manner, without prompting, both independently and collaboratively; superior organization and prioritization skills and must be meticulous and detail oriented.
• Must be able to resolve difficult problems, use analytical judgement, and must be able to process a high volume of accurate, detailed, and quality work product with an unsurpassed attention to detail.
• Resourcefulness and ability to work proactively - thinking ahead. Good logic skills to read through minutes and summarize the conclusions and actions taken.
• Flexibility and ability to manage competing demands; must be able to manage a myriad of on-going tasks in a fast-paced environment and adjust to changes.
• Advanced writing and editing skills; varies writing style as needed.
• Must maintain a strict code of ethics in working with highly confidential data.
• Must be able to resolve difficult problems, use analytical judgement, and must be able to process a high volume of accurate, detailed, and quality work product.
• Creates and supports an environment which fosters teamwork, cooperation, respect and diversity.
• Must promote and foster communications with staff as well as AAU member university officials and external parties. Must have excellent listening skills.
• Intermediate writing and editing skills; varies writing style and voice as needed.
• Works with integrity and ethically; must follow AAU's policies and procedures; is consistently at work and on time; ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent.
• Willingness to take ownership for wide-ranging responsibilities; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; looks for ways to improve own work to ensure quality.
• Must have background in monitoring and creating social media.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING/EXPERIENCE:

• College degree required (BA/BS), and minimum of two years’ experience working with quantitative data and analysis. Experience in non-profit and/or higher education preferred.
• Intermediate level experience preparing data sets and data analysis and ability to read and interpret complex materials and perform data cleaning. Strong understanding of databases, analytical tools, and concepts.
• Strong experience with Excel including the ability to perform V-lookups and Pivot tables and use data visualization software, such as Tableau is required; experience with SPSS or other statistical software is preferred.
• Must display an advanced level of skill in the Microsoft Office suite 2010 or later.
• Experience working with Office 365, SharePoint, association management systems, mass email systems, and website content management systems is preferred.

TRAVEL. Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some evening, out-of-the-area, and overnight travel may be expected.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY. This position has no supervisory responsibilities. However, the Policy and Research Analyst is expected to coordinate efforts with key personnel in the department and the Association to achieve the position’s purpose.

WORK ENVIRONMENT. This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.

This is largely a sedentary role; however, the employee is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Some filing is required; this would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand as necessary. This job requires the employee to lift at least 20 pounds infrequently.

POSITION TYPE. This is a full-time position. The exemption status of this position is exempt.  Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

OTHER DUTIES. Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

MUST BE CURRENTLY AUTHORIZED TO WORK FOR ANY EMPLOYER IN THE U.S.