Associate Policy Analyst

CHAPIN HALL CENTER FOR CHILDREN•Chicago, IL

1d•$59,900 - $79,797•Remote

About The Position

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. The Implementation Collaborative team consists of national experts in child welfare, juvenile justice, homelessness and mental health services dedicated to collaborating with state and local jurisdictions to integrate the best available evidence into system transformation strategies. The team works across five interconnected domains of capacity building and systems change, including: data analytics and evidence use; leadership, governance and strategy; practice and implementation supports; policy and alignment; and continuous quality improvement. This position will report directly to a Senior member of the Policy Team, and allows for remote work and periodic in-person travel to the east and/or west coast depending on project needs. The Associate Policy Analyst will be expected to independently drive project coordination, manage workstreams and serve as a proactive partner to project leads—requiring both substantive knowledge and the organizational discipline to execute without significant oversight. The Associate Policy Analyst’s main contributions include supporting Chapin Hall’s body of work around child welfare system transformation with an emphasis on development and/or implementation of practice models, functional assessments, and evidence-based practices, as well as macro level system assessment, strategic planning, readiness for transformation and implementation of key organizational strategies. This role will also carry some focus on Motivational Interviewing (MI) across their initial project portfolio, supporting the integration of MI principles and practices within child welfare system transformation efforts. The position is focused on preparing child welfare jurisdictions for the implementation of the federal Family First Prevention and Services Act. Chapin Hall embraces a Work from Anywhere approach, offering flexible remote work from anywhere in the United States. Our fully remote model is grounded in trust, accountability, and a shared commitment to high-quality work and collaboration, regardless of location. While our work is remote, we intentionally create opportunities for connection and belonging. We offer in-person opportunities for staff to build relationships and connection, team cohesion and creativity, and a strong sense of belonging to the organization. Staff are expected to participate in occasional work-related travel, including attendance at in-person All Hall Convenings, which emphasize shared learning, collaboration, and community. Reasonable accommodations are made for those who require modifications.

Requirements

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.
The ability to apply project management tools (SharePoint, Smartsheet, MS Office) purposefully in service of substantive workplan and deliverable management is expected.
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.
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 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.
Strong attention to detail with good organization skills required to include report writing, presentation development, project management.
Experience working with and supporting large teams remotely.
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.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
In lieu of a degree and/or relevant experience, Lived Experience is strongly preferred. People with Lived Experience are those directly affected by social, health, public health, or other systems. This gives them insights that can inform and influence research, policies, practices, barriers, and programs.
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.
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.
Candidates without MI experience will be considered if they bring demonstrated evidence-based program implementation experience and a documented commitment to developing MI knowledge on the job.
Experience supporting continuous quality improvement activities, including rapid cycle improvement planning, monitoring implementation progress, or contributing to implementation findings and recommendations.

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.