Policy Analyst

United Neighborhood Houses (UNH) is a policy and social change organization representing

neighborhood settlement houses that reach 800,000 New Yorkers from all walks of life. A progressive leader for more than 100 years, UNH is stewarding a new era for New York’s settlement house movement. We mobilize our members and their communities to advocate for good public policies and promote strong organizations and practices that keep neighborhoods resilient and thriving for all New Yorkers.

UNH is seeking a Policy Analyst to focus on aging, mental health, and public housing issues and to be an integral part of our Policy and Advocacy department. UNH plays a leading role in advocating for policies and funding at the New York City and State levels, and grounds its work in the best practices of experts across the settlement house network. Key aspects of this work will include drawing upon the experience of UNH member organizations to develop and advance UNH’s policy priorities.

The Policy Analyst will have responsibility for leading UNH’s policy and advocacy engagement on issues and programs affecting older adults. This entails being the organization’s subject-matter expert in aging services, including understanding issues impacting the vast network of New York’s older adult centers, Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs), home delivered meals programs, intergenerational programs, and other services supporting adults aging in their communities. The Policy Analyst will also identify challenges and opportunities related to the well-being and health of older adults, and advance solutions in the context of the settlement house model. While the majority of time will focus on aging issues, the Policy Analyst will also have a portfolio of issues that include community-based mental health services and community programing in NYCHA spaces. The policy analyst must also be prepared to take on additional related issues of importance to settlement houses and the community members they serve as they emerge.

The Analyst reports to the Deputy Director of Policy and Advocacy and will work with the Director and UNH’s Executive Director to shape strategies to advance advocacy goals. The Analyst will also be a key part of the Policy and Advocacy team, working closely with department staff to advance UNH’s overall advocacy agenda.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

●       Build relationships with settlement house staff in order to understand community needs within the portfolio area, and facilitate opportunities for information exchange, peer support, and collective advocacy, including facilitating UNH’s Aging Issues Group;

●       Advocate to New York City and State’s elected and appointed officials and their staff for funding and policies that support the portfolio issues, via activities like planning and participating in meetings, writing and delivering testimony at public hearings, organizing rallies, collecting and sharing provider stories, responding to concept papers in advance of procurements, and more;

●       Analyze and track community needs and policy trends over time;

●       Craft timely policy briefs, analysis and other materials that advance advocacy goals; this includes work with UNH’s Senior Manager of Research on data collection and analysis for external-facing products;

●       Develop and enrich collaborative relationships with colleague organizations and participate in relevant coalitions; and

●       Support and contribute to the overall advocacy and goals of the Policy and Advocacy Department (such as offering trainings, supporting UNH Lobby Days and other events), and support UNH’s organizational work at large.

UNH recognizes that by adopting a racial equity framework, and by openly acknowledging and

challenging racial inequity through our work, we can play a more deliberate and intentional role in combating explicit and implicit racial biases as well as systemic racism. We believe diversity and inclusion enrich our work so that we may better strengthen our communities. Therefore, every UNH job description includes the following:

●       Each UNH employee is encouraged to seek ways in their work to thoughtfully act towards our long-term goal of ensuring that race no longer predicts the quality and trajectory of an individual’s life nor the quality of life in the communities where we live and where settlement houses operate.

The successful candidate should demonstrate the following skills and experience:

●       Commitment to improving access and outcomes for older adults, people with mental health needs, and community programming in public housing spaces, and interest in emerging trends in these fields;

●       Strong writing, communication, and time-management skills, including the ability to take initiative, prioritize duties, pay attention to detail, and work independently;

●       Two years of relevant work experience and a Bachelor’s degree; considerable experience may substitute for a degree;

●       Knowledge of New York City and State government;

●       Commitment to racial and social justice, with an understanding of the needs of communities served by settlement houses and ability to incorporate a racial equity frame in policy analysis and advocacy efforts; and

●       Ability to consistently make good decisions through a combination of analysis, experience, and judgment.

The most competitive candidates will also demonstrate several of the following skills and experience:

●       Strong facilitation skills and experience in facilitating groups or coalitions;

●       Experience with research and data analysis;

●       Some previous knowledge of the older adult social services landscape in New York and/or a demonstrated commitment and interest in advocating on behalf of older adults.

Note that this position will be following a hybrid work schedule. Applicants must have the ability to commute to our office in Lower Manhattan, as well as travel throughout New York City during business hours and occasionally to Albany.

This position pays a salary of $70,000 per year. UNH offers a competitive benefits package with excellent medical, dental and retirement plans, and is committed to growth within the organization.

UNH has made a commitment to apply a racial equity lens to our work. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion, and welcome applicants of diverse backgrounds including race, ethnic culture, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, and physical abilities.

How to Apply:

To apply, email a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to: unhjobs@unhny.org.

Cover letters must address the following questions:

●       Describe your interest in advocating for issues impacting older adults, and/or mental health access and public housing;

●       Describe your interest in working with New York’s settlement house movement; and

●       Any relevant skills or experiences that you believe will help you in this role.

No inquiries please; only successful candidates will be contacted.