Policy Analyst II, Work and Family

The Niskanen Center seeks a Policy Analyst II to contribute to our work on childcare pluralism and parental support as part of our broader work on reforming and expanding traditional cash support for workers and families. The Niskanen Center’s social policy department is rooted in a simple but often overlooked premise: that an innovative private sector and a capable public sector are mutually dependent. Robust social policies protect and uplift those hurt by economic shocks and misfortune while avoiding regulatory approaches to social protection that undermine market dynamism. Together, a dynamic market economy and effective government form a coherent theory of a free and just society–and a foundation for America’s social policy.

Description

Named “the most interesting think tank in American politics” by Time magazine in March 2023, the Niskanen Center promotes policies that advance prosperity, opportunity, and human flourishing, guided by the belief that a free market and an effective government are mutually dependent. 

We are forging a new vision of American governance that draws on ideas from across the ideological spectrum, an approach made possible by our independence from rigid political coalitions. Our ideological openness gives us credibility to work with a broad range of actors, meeting them on their own terms and helping them converge on policies they might support for different reasons. We thus aspire to be a voice for the hopes and ambitions of Americans who feel shut out by the hostility of our politics.

The Position

The Niskanen Center seeks a Policy Analyst II to contribute to our work on childcare pluralism and parental support as part of our broader work on reforming and expanding traditional cash support for workers and families.

The Niskanen Center’s social policy department is rooted in a simple but often overlooked premise: that an innovative private sector and a capable public sector are mutually dependent. Robust social policies protect and uplift those hurt by economic shocks and misfortune while avoiding regulatory approaches to social protection that undermine market dynamism. Together, a dynamic market economy and effective government form a coherent theory of a free and just society–and a foundation for America’s social policy.

Niskanen’s experts engage in policy research and development focusing on family economic security, employment, healthcare, and housing. They promote ideas and arguments that help ensure public policy innovations benefit children, their families, and the American economy, using advocacy and public policy reform strategies that cut across partisan lines.

To support these goals, the policy analyst will contribute to existing work on barriers to increasing the supply of childcare broadly understood as center-based, home-based, civil society organizations, and friends, family, neighbor options, working closely with other team members, Niskanen staff and fellows, and outside experts and stakeholders on policy design and analysis. The policy analyst collaborates with our government affairs and communication staff to advance research and policy proposals with Congress, the Administration and Executive Branch Agencies, key stakeholders, and coalitional allies. Successful candidates should have expertise in pre-natal-to-five policies and a passion for getting into the weeds on program details. The position reports to the Director of Social Policy.

Key Responsibilities

Policy Research and Development

• Analyze federal and state legislative proposals, administrative policies, and regulatory change.
• Develop innovative and novel research projects to advance the team’s strategic priorities.
• Translate research into reports and new policy initiatives.
• Develop graphics and tables, applying data visualization strategies.

Communications

• Produce first drafts of major research reports based on their research and analysis and occasionally author complete reports.
• Author commentaries based on research and new analyses.
• Share research findings with legislative staffers, advocacy organizations, and journalists.

Outreach and Engagement

• In collaboration with the Niskanen Government Affairs Team, develop and implement strategies to educate members of Congress, the Administration, and other stakeholders about Niskanen social policy priorities.
• When invited by policymakers, provide research and policy proposals.
• Develop and grow relationships with policy and advocacy organizations, policy experts, and other partners and stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications

• Expertise in pre-natal-to-five policies and a willingness to delve deeply into relevant issues (federal block grant financing, rules and regulations, program integrity).
• Proven commitment to Niskanen’s vision for change;
• Experience collaborating with an ideologically diverse network of organizations and individuals;
• A high degree of integrity, the ability to build trust, and a commitment to exceptional deliverables;
• Superior oral and written communication skills and ability to translate complex research findings into key takeaways for diverse audiences;
• Experience with strategic communications and ideological bilingualism, including outreach to media and target audiences in the public, business, and nonprofit sectors;
• Action-oriented, organized, and entrepreneurial self-starter who assumes personal ownership of work and is capable of effectively prioritizing and working simultaneously on multiple projects.

How to Apply

We will review applications after the deadline. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm ET on May 31, 2026. Please combine a cover letter and resume into one PDF. Use the link below to apply. No phone calls, please.

Salary

$78,000 – $110,000 per year