About the Opportunity

The Senior Policy Analyst plays an important role in evaluating energy policies and making recommendations for how they may be improved. This is an exciting opportunity to deliver timely and efficient policy research, analysis, reporting, and resources for a research and educational think tank that is dedicated to advancing an equity-centered just transition across all U.S. states. IEJ is looking for applicants who are committed to tackling large scale climate, clean energy, and energy justice challenges. This opening is seeking a unique skill set, specifically research and writing, to join the IEJ’s programs team.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Senior Policy Analyst will create research projects and publications in alignment with IEJ’s strategic plan and research objectives. This includes conducting background research with academic and community partners, refining project proposals with IEJ’s programs team and independently project managing research and key deliverables, such as design, publication, and communications strategies. The Senior Policy Analyst will also be responsible for actively tracking and analyzing the latest research and trends in the energy sector, assisting in the translation of research insights to policy and practice, and supporting program management through technical assistance, meeting planning, and innovative engagement strategies.The ideal candidate for the position must be an exceptional writer, project manager, and thought leader. In alignment with the organization’s strategic priorities, the Senior Policy Analyst will also advance program goals through the development of work plans, budgets, and effective stewardship of any research projects they instigate. Overall, IEJ is seeking a highly motivated collaborator who is interested in addressing disparities in energy policies and public systems and is committed to anti-racist, intersectional policy work focused on serving all communities. This is a remote, US-based, position and not a lobbying role

Responsibilities:

1) Research and Writing

• Initiate policy research and analysis for new/existing energy justice research projects; synthesize research findings to identify and recommend best practices; publish and publicize long-form robust findings to stakeholders.
• Write and edit clear and concise short-form op-eds, articles, briefs, proposals, and reports that translate complex policies and analyses into digestible information and policy recommendations for different audiences, including advocates and policymakers.
• Assist with closing research gaps in existing work products and provide edits, citations, and project management.
• Extract, collect, and aggregate data across databases, survey responses, and other data sources; ensure data quality by checking existing data for consistency and accuracy; coding data for analysis; analyzing coded data for research findings and policy recommendations.
• Synthesize and create actionable research conclusions that provide informed recommendations for regulatory intervention, legislative advocacy, or executive action.
  

2) External Engagement and Communications

• Present research and policy findings at IEJ trainings, webinars, funder meetings, via the media, or at various conferences and other forums.
• Manage distribution and audience engagement plans through active participation in planning meetings and listening sessions with partners and clients to develop report themes and content.
• Partner with stakeholders to identify actionable research and engage in participatory research methodologies.
• Participate in or organize convenings to identify new research topics, partner with advocacy organizations advancing IEJ’s policy recommendations, or learn about a diverse array of energy justice policy needs.

3) Internal Collaboration

• Edit and provide supervisory support on junior team members’ writing products and publications.
• Collaborate with staff on crafting collateral material, publication schedules, and marketing on research findings and reports.
• Provide information in a distilled format for IEJ trainings, webinars, funder meetings, media, legislators, regulators, or other audiences.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrates prior experience in self-initiated research and policy within energy justice topics
• 5-8 years of professional experience in policy, government, or nonprofit work
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to communicate effectively, both verbally and especially in writing
• Strong policy analysis techniques and problem solving skills
• Interest or experience in applying equity, inclusion, diversity, and justice concepts in policy development or policy analysis of energy justice projects

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduate degree in public policy or related field or equivalent experience/training
• Deep knowledge of key policy stakeholders and energy/environmental justice landscape
• Previous experience in regulatory and legislative processes as they pertain to energy policy, preferably in state-level regulatory advocacy and/or bill negotiation
• Familiarity with data analysis software, mapping software, dashboards, and other tools to support data analysis, with an emphasis on racial and social demographics, geographic location, and other factors

Documents to Submit:

Please upload your resume, cover letter, and a writing sample as one PDF document.

Additional Information:

About the Initiative for Energy Justice:

The Initiative for Energy Justice (IEJ) envisions a transition across all U.S. states and territories to true energy justice – ensuring energy is accessible, affordable, clean, and democratically managed for all communities, while also remediating past social, economic, and health burdens on those disproportionately harmed by the current energy system.

Virtually housed at Northeastern University School of Law, IEJ was founded by lawyers entrenched in the policy debates concerning the nation’s transition away from fossil fuels and an extractive economy towards an equitable and renewable energy future, with direct connections to communities working on that transition.

IEJ’s culture and benefits:

Our core values are voice, inclusion, and equity. The unique voices of frontline communities and communities of color must be included in the transition away from fossil fuels to clean energy. And equity must form the core of this transition, given the burdens borne by frontline communities under the energy system.

We strive to cultivate a workplace culture of joy, collaboration, thoughtfulness, and growth. We recognize that work to dismantle inequities and advance justice can be draining, complex, and involve facing past trauma. Yet by embracing hope, collective care, and recognizing our intertwined journeys for liberation, we aim to find joy and meaning by working together to advance energy justice.

Salary will be in the range of $95,000 to $120,000 depending on experience.

Benefits include health benefits, paid time off, retirement benefits, wellness and more. More at https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/.

Location: Remote within United States

Position Type

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.

Northeastern University is an equal opportunity employer, seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. Northeastern values and celebrates diversity in all its forms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

To learn more about Northeastern University’s commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please see www.northeastern.edu/diversity.