Senior Policy Analyst

About United Neighborhood Houses

United Neighborhood Houses (UNH) is a policy and social change organization with a mission to promote and strengthen settlement houses’ neighborhood-based, multi-service approach to improving the lives of low- and moderate-income New Yorkers. We represent 46 settlement houses that collectively reach 840,000 New Yorkers from all walks of life. Our role is to amplify the voices, perspectives, and experiences of our members—fighting for a New York where everyone belongs and has opportunities to thrive. UNH advances the settlement house movement by driving public policy, offering peer learning and professional development, and supporting innovative practices across the movement.

The Opportunity

This is a chance to join a leading policy organization in New York to address issues that are top of many people’s minds—achieving universal child care and creating a more affordable New York. The Senior Policy Analyst will focus on early childhood education and economic supports at a crucial time for young children, their families, and their educators in New York. UNH plays a leading role in advocating for policies and funding at the City and State levels. In recent years, we have led successful campaigns to raise wages for early childhood educators, to fight budget cuts to 3-K programs, and to expand care access to families by creating 2-K. We ground our work in the best practices of experts across the settlement house network, who care for nearly 10,000 children under the age of 5 each year. The Senior Policy Analyst will be the organization’s subject-matter expert in early childhood education, and will be responsible for bringing the real world experiences of settlement houses into the fight for universal child care in New York. The Senior Policy Analyst will also monitor and advocate for policies and funding that protect and enhance economic security for families.

The Senior Policy Analyst reports to the Director of Policy and Advocacy, and works closely with the Director and UNH’s Executive Director, given the importance of early childhood education for the organization as a whole.

What You’ll Do

Policy Analysis

• Understand and track all aspects of New York’s early childhood education system – a top priority for the portfolio and the organization at large;

• Understand and track major issues related to economic security in New York, such as access to government benefits and emergency food, and tax policies;

• Propose and assist in developing proactive policy strategies related to the settlement house approach to early childhood education and economic security;

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

• In partnership with UNH’s Research team, craft timely policy briefs, analysis, and other materials that advance advocacy goals;

Legislative and Budget Advocacy

• Work with the Director to advocate with elected and appointed officials for funding and policies that support a strong early childhood education system in New York and economic supports for New York families, primarily at the State and New York City levels;

• Plan and participate in legislative meetings and lobby days;

• Write and deliver testimony at public hearings, organize rallies, collect and share data and stories, and other creative advocacy strategies;

• Work with the Director of Policy and Advocacy and Communications staff on public-facing messaging to advance advocacy campaigns, including press opportunities, high-level elected official meetings, social media, and more;

Member Engagement and Coalition Building

• Meet with and convene settlement house staff to learn about and understand on-the-ground issues pertaining to early childhood education and economic supports, and provide opportunities for collective advocacy and peer support;

• Develop and enrich collaborative relationships with partner organizations and participate in relevant coalitions;

Team Collaboration and Support

• Settlement houses are multi-generational and interdisciplinary in their approach to community work; so is UNH. The Senior Policy Analyst will work closely with UNH’s entire policy and advocacy team to advance its goals and the goals of the organization, as well as with its Research, Community Engagement, and Member Services teams to support settlement houses and advance winning advocacy campaigns. The Analyst will also collaborate closely with UNH’s leadership, as well as the settlement house membership.

What We’re Looking For

• Commitment to achieving quality universal child care in New York, and an interest in understanding all aspects of the early childhood education system that will get us there;

• Prior knowledge of or experience with New York’s child care system, and/or benefits programs;

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

• Knowledge of New York City and State government;

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

• Ability to consistently make good decisions through a combination of analysis, experience, and judgment;

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

• 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.

Compensation and Benefits

This position pays $80,000 - $90,000 depending on skills and experience. UNH offers a competitive benefits package including:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision plans;

• A 403(b) with the opportunity for a 10% match on a 3% contribution after year one;

• Four weeks of paid vacation to start and generous sick and holiday time;

• Early closure on Summer Fridays;

• One-week office closure between 12/25 and New Years;

• 12 weeks of paid parental leave or leave to care for a family member after year one;

• And more!

UNH is currently operating on a hybrid schedule, with our office located in lower Manhattan and occasional travel to Albany and other parts of New York State required. UNH is committed to growth within the organization.

Our Commitment to Equity

UNH recognizes that by adopting a racial equity framework, and by openly acknowledging and challenging racial inequity through our work, we can have 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.

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.

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 resume, cover letter, and professional writing sample to [email protected]. In your cover letter, please indicate your interest in early childhood education, economic supports, and/or the settlement house movement. Writing is a critical