Associate Policy Analyst

Chapin Hall is seeking an experienced Associate Policy Analyst to join our Implementation Collaborative team. This role requires a high degree of autonomy, strong independent judgment and exceptional project management skills to manage complex deliverables, competing priorities, and cross functional partnerships with minimal day-to-day direction.

Responsibilities:

• Independently manage project workplans, timelines, and deliverables across workstreams with minimal direction—proactively identifying gaps, and opportunities
• Serves and the primary point of coordination for project related meetings with external partners—developing result-based agendas, synthesizing meeting notes, tracking action items, and integrating outputs into overarching workplans
• Create and maintain SharePoint sites and project management tools (Smartsheet, MS Office) in service of substantive deliverable and workplan management
• Develop and maintain internal and external communication structures that keep project teams aligned and accountable to timelines and goals
• Conduct thorough reviews of relevant policy and literature, synthesizing findings using both peer-reviewed journals and grey literature to inform project strategy
• Support development and implementation of continuous quality improvement processes, systems change initiatives, and evidence-based practices
• Assist in the translation of data and research findings into practical decisions and ultimately, policy and practice change
• Independently produce work products that reflect an accurate understanding of the client implementation stage
• Independently develops PowerPoint presentations, briefs, memos, reports, tools, surveys instruments and item guides, implementation plans, presentations, and other products for internal and external audiences
• Develops workforce supports and training materials related to human service system transformation, redesign and implementation
• Actively participates and provides substantive contributions in meetings with external stakeholders
• Manages competing priorities and requests from multiple team members and client partners across a cross-matrix environment, exercising sound independent judgment to prioritize appropriately and keep workstreams moving. Works collegially and collaboratively with colleagues across policy, research, and administration to share information, responsibility, and resources
• Performs additional duties as assigned

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in sociology, social work, public policy, psychology or another relevant field required
• 1-3 years of relevant experience with a degree required
• Demonstrated experience independently managing complex project coordination functions, including maintaining internal and external workplans, tracking deliverables and timelines, and managing competing priorities across multiple workstreams
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and exercise sound independent judgment, proactively driving workstream progress, identifying risks, and recommending solutions without significant day-to-day direction from project leadership
• Demonstrated ability to develop plans, tools, and materials calibrated to the client's current stage of implementation within a human services or child welfare context, reflecting an accurate understanding of where the client is in the implementation process
• Experience supporting facilitation of virtual collaborative workgroups or learning collaboratives with multiple external stakeholders, including preparing agendas, synthesizing proceedings, and tracking action items toward implementation goals
• Strong attention to detail with good organization skills required to include report writing, presentation development, project management
• Ability to use data and evidence to inform decision making
• Demonstrated capacity to work in a collaborative policy or research environment
• Ability to problem solve and manage multiple, concurrent tasks
• Demonstrated judgment and discretion in the handling of sensitive information
• Master's degree preferred
• In lieu of a degree and/or relevant experience, Lived Experience is strongly preferred
• Subject matter familiarity in children's mental health, child welfare, implementation science, program evaluation and/or project management preferred
• Demonstrated knowledge with continuous quality improvement within human service programs or a strong interest in gaining skill and capability in this area
• Demonstrated experience with Share Point, all Microsoft Office tools, survey tools such as Redcap, as well as other project management tools such as Smartsheet
• Ability to translate and convey research findings and complex concepts in oral and written communications
• Experience working with and supporting large teams remotely
• Familiarity with Motivational Interviewing (MI) as a clinical practice or evidence-based intervention, including knowledge of core MI principles, spirit, and application in human services or child welfare settings
• Experience supporting continuous quality improvement activities, including rapid cycle improvement planning, monitoring implementation progress, or contributing to implementation findings and recommendations