Policy Research and Data Specialist

About the role

Connections for the Homeless is a housing nonprofit that helps communities thrive by ensuring everyone has a place to call home. This position furthers that commitment by carrying out policy research, administering our advocacy CRM, and coordinating data projects that measure impact and growth in our effort to expand affordable housing across Illinois.

Responsibilities

• Policy Research and Advocacy
  • Work with the Director of Public Policy and Associate Directors to set an annual research plan that supports our state and municipal policy efforts.
  • Assist in providing data for training presentations and meetings as requested and ensure staff are prepared to present data effectively.
  • Create and maintain an annotated bibliography of research around model policies and highly effective organizing models for municipalities, counties, and states to inform and support policy and advocacy strategies.
  • Conduct research in support of organizational policy priorities and campaigns helping to keep organizational leaders abreast of the changing policy landscape, opportunities for impact and immediate action, and supporting the policy portfolio of the Director of Public Policy.
  • In collaboration with Associate Directors, work with local advocates to identify data needs that support municipal campaigns.
  • Conduct research on decision makers including personal profiles and voting histories in preparation for key meetings and in support of building campaign tactics.
  • Support Director of Public Policy in lobbying and advocacy activities and report lobbying activities according to protocol.
• CRM Administration
  • Be a primary point of contact with the CRM vendor, supporting development and implementation, training, and ongoing utilization needs.
  • Maintain the confidentiality, accuracy, and security of CRM advocacy-related data.
  • Ensure staff are using CRM and adding data in a timely manner.
  • Develop and run reports as needed.
  • Act as a superuser of the platform developing familiarity with all components of the system.
• Impact Measurement and Reporting
  • In collaboration with the Senior Advocacy Director, develop an impact measurement framework and protocol to ensure tracking of key data outputs and outcomes, including tracking progress of multiple policy campaigns for reporting purposes.
  • Coordinate and assist in drafting reports on advocacy impact for executive staff.
  • Support data tracking and reporting for department and agency strategic planning efforts.
  • As opportunities arise and workload permits, partner with the CQI team in the expansion of their data tracking and reporting capabilities.

Requirements

• Experience conducting policy research on mission related issues and turning data into visual tools and narratives for campaign advancement.
• At least two years’ experience working in a social service or social justice setting.
• Experience with data analytic and visualization software.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license, maintain a safe driving record, and meet organizational and insurance requirements for employees who drive on agency business or drive an agency vehicle to conduct business.

Qualifications (Highly Desirable)

• Experience with public policy research on issues of housing affordability.
• Experience with tracking program impact and writing reports for various stakeholders.
• Experience with community organizing.

About Us

For nearly 40 years, Connections for the Homeless has served and catalyzed our community to end homelessness, one person at a time. Each year we provide eviction prevention, shelter, and housing services to 4,000 people from across north suburban Cook County. Beyond providing direct services we also operate a robust advocacy and community organizing program to address the root causes of homelessness. The COVID pandemic accelerated our growth in the depth and breadth of services we offer and the organizational infrastructure to sustain this highly impactful organization. Connections is a radically reshaped organization deeply committed to demonstrating our core values in all relationships with participants, colleagues, donors, partners, and volunteers.

Benefits

Join our dedicated team at Connections for the Homeless, where we blend a commitment to making a difference with a competitive rewards package. Our full-time employees enjoy a range of benefits, consciously crafted through an equitable lens, to support their well-being and professional growth. At Connections for the Homeless, we recognize that supporting our employees is essential in achieving our mission. We are ready to invest in you as you make a difference in our community.