Policy Analyst

Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) is the non-profit umbrella organization for affordable housing and community development activities in Massachusetts. Established in 1967, CHAPA has a diverse and active membership of more than 1,500 individuals and organizations, including volunteers and professionals in the private, public, and non-profit sectors.  CHAPA pursues its goals through advocacy with local, state and federal officials; research analysis; education and training; and programs to expand rental and homeownership opportunities. For more information, please visit www.chapa.org.

Key Job Responsibilities

The primary responsibility of the Policy Analyst is to work on federal and state housing policy issues, including analyzing and coordinating housing policy, writing policy papers and briefs, and evaluating research and data to inform and further CHAPA’s public policy work. The Policy Analyst will report to CHAPA’s Director of Public Policy.

Specific Responsibilities

• Work as an active member of the Policy Team to help develop and implement CHAPA’s policy agenda
• Assist in drafting and analyzing policies related to housing, including legislation and administrative actions
• Draft comments, briefs, research summaries, testimony, web posts and other communication pieces
• Coordinate CHAPA’s federal housing policy work, including the New England Housing Network
• Prepare and deliver contextual and analytical materials to support the Policy Team, CHAPA staff and members, and other internal and external audiences
• Staff committees and working groups on different topics as needed
• Respond to requests for information from staff, members and the public
• Represent CHAPA at seminars, conferences, forums, and other community events
• Engage with key stakeholders, including lawmakers, government officials, CHAPA members and partners, consultants and research institutions
• Oversee outside research efforts on CHAPA’s behalf
• Monitor and analyze external research, data and policy developments to inform CHAPA’s work
• Help plan and implement events such as forums and seminars to disseminate and support CHAPA’s public policy agenda

Qualifications

• Three to five years’ experience with housing policy work
• Knowledge of federal and state housing policy
• Experience researching housing-related topics
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including public speaking
• Excellent analytical skills
• Ability to work with diverse groups and coalitions
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects and deadlines, and to work both independently and within a team
• Sensitivity to the needs of people of low incomes

Salary:
The salary is commensurate with experience.  CHAPA also provides a generous package of benefits including vacation and sick time, health insurance, short-term disability insurance, life insurance, and retirement benefits.