Vice President, Center for Policy Analysis & Research

Organization Summary

Founded in 1976, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) is a non-profit organization focused on eliminating disparities within the global Black community by developing leaders, informing policy and educating the public.  Our primary focus areas are Education, Public Health, Economic Empowerment, and the Environment.  Applicants may visit the web site at www.cbcfinc.org, to view more information on CBCF programs and initiatives.

Position Summary

Reporting to the President and CEO, and serving as an integral member of the senior management team, the Vice President, Policy Analysis & Research is a strategic thought-partner and will be responsible for providing executive level direction and management oversight of policy and programmatic strategies. 

The Vice President will develop world-class public policy and research strategies for the CBCF and the work it undertakes to eliminate disparities in the global Black community.  He/she understands that the African American community is not monolithic and as such, public policy analyses and research should address the diverse interests of this community.

The Vice President will understand the importance of developing and disseminating timely and relevant analyses on public policy issues affecting the African American community in a range of formats to a variety of constituents. He/she will also be an ambassador for the organization and will need to have and build relationships within the business, academia, political and public policy community.  The goal is to advance the organization’s mission with relevant constituents, as well as drive broader awareness and donor support for the organization by developing original and leveraging existing research and analyses impacting the African American community. Currently, CPAR initiatives include Voter Engagement, Tech Equity, and Health Equity. 

This is a highly visible role, both internally with the CBCF staff and board of directors and externally as a business representative and subject matter expert of the organization.  This role would suit an individual of outstanding ability with at least ten years’ experience in a research or public policy environment. 

Working Relationships

1. Reports to:  President and CEO
2. Directly Supervises:  Program Research Analyst and Director, NREI
3. Indirectly Supervises:  Fellows
4. Type of Supervision Received:  minimal to none
5. Internal Relationships:  Close coordination specifically with all CBCF Department Heads to effect maximum exposure, donor support and stakeholder education for the CBCF’s work in the areas of Public Health, Economic Empowerment, Education and others as defined by CBCF priorities.
6. External Relationships:  CBCF Board of Directors, CBCF Donors and Supporters, White House, Grant Making Foundation Executives and key staff of key organizations with whom CBCF partners and other stakeholders as defined by CBCF priorities and as directed by President and CEO.

Specific Responsibilities

Essential Functions

Public Policy & Research

1. Incumbent must stay abreast of economic, public policy and social issues; assess the impact on African Americans and ensure the development of informative white papers, policy briefs, fact sheets, analyses which can be disseminated, timely, to the African American community via various communications platforms.
2. Lead the development of and conduct research on various public policy issues and oversee the development of an annual research plan, with appropriate benchmarks; and identify appropriate data sources and reference literature.
3. Drives key relationships with stakeholders in government, the private sector, the nonprofit sector, academia and the media to support and inform CBCFs research program.
4. Advance the continued growth of the CBCF research program, accomplish the research goals for the strategies and priorities developed by CBCF; create and be an advocate for a world-class research program; encourage collaborative research across various stakeholder platforms (reciprocity).
5. Collaborate with VP, Resource Development to plan and formulate funding proposals for research activity.  Participate in fundraising and lead / direct grant proposal writing activity for research related projects.
6. Liaise with the VP, Marketing and Communications on content for dissemination to the media related to research projects; write and coordinate newsletter articles related to CPAR activities and deliverables.
7. Lead the development and implementation of sustainable programs in the areas of public health, economic development and empowerment, and social justice.
8. Develop an annual department budget (CPAR & NREI) and plan with appropriate input from internal and external stakeholders.
9. Serve as staff to the Board of Directors’ Programs Committee. Responsible for accurate and timely reporting of information to the Board of Directors, President and CEO, and outside agencies and groups, as appropriate.

Team Development / Management

1. Contribute to the creation and stewardship of organizational culture and ethos, both internally and externally.  Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality.
2. Mentor and develop staff using a supportive and collaborative approach.  Establish and monitor staff performance and development goals, assign accountabilities, set objectives, establish priorities, conduct mid-year and annual performance appraisals, and administer salary adjustments.
3. Experience with and proven ability to lead, direct and develop highly intellectual staff. Oversee the work of Program Research Analyst, research assistants, consultants and others as required to accomplish department objectives.

Additional Functions

1. Represent CBCF on important boards, committee and task forces (internal and external).
2. Creates an environment supportive of equal employment opportunity.
3. Ability to manage staff and consultants in connection with large scale events and projects.
4. Ability to effectively lead, manage and balance administrative responsibilities as a department head with capacity to deliver against organization goals and objectives.
5. Responsible for other duties and projects as assigned.

Required Special Skills

1. The analysis and effective communication of CPAR deliverables to a variety of constituents and stakeholders across a variety of mediums (internal and external).
2. Ability to translate (written and verbal) complex issues into easily understandable formats for a range of stakeholder audiences.
3. Strong familiarity with the federal legislative process and political environment to ensure timely and relevant analyses are contemplated, produced, and disseminated.
4. Ability to effectively negotiate contracts and proposals, with consultants and grantors, for the maximum benefit of the CBCF.
5. Excellent qualitative and quantitative research skills and experience in using a range of research techniques.
6. Proven project management skills and experience in designing, managing, and delivering high quality projects on time.
7. Superb oral and written communication and presentation skills in a range of formats, to include briefings, reports, media, articles, and blogs.

Responsibility for Accuracy/Accountability

Incumbent must communicate with stakeholders on a national and local level to positively influence the effectiveness of CBCF in achieving its objectives.  The Vice President must follow and adhere to federal, state, and local ethics laws, as well as CBCF business conduct policies.  Failure to comply can result in penalties for the organization and the incumbent.

Specifications

Highly intelligent, innovative, and resourceful, able to assimilate and integrate large amounts of information and find creative solutions. Maturity and excellent judgment are essential.

1. Knowledge:  Ph.D. or advanced degree in Social Science, Humanities, Public Policy, Public Health, Economics from an accredited college or university or related field, or equivalent combination of experience and education. A minimum 10 years related public policy, research and supervisory experience in a senior management role in corporation, foundation or nonprofit organization are highly preferred.  Strong knowledge of the Washington, DC legislative, public policy and political environment is preferred.  Experience with policy analysis and research support for a major foundation, NGO and/or charitable organization is a plus.
2. Skills and Abilities:  Excellent written and oral communication skills; excellent time management, planning and organizational skills, attention to detail and ability to draft, proof and edit correspondence and reports on behalf of CPAR department is required; Public speaking and presentation delivery is required. Stature, gravitas, and confidence to gain the credibility and respect of high-performing Board of Directors and external stakeholders; Innovative thinker, with a track record for translating strategic thinking into action plans and output. Solid interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships with others, motivate, and lead a team.
3. Physical Requirements:  Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with strict deadlines, ability to work long hours, weekends, and moderate travel.  Must work well under pressure and be able to manage simultaneous priorities.  The ability to handle significant amount of stress is an essential function of this position.

CBCF is an equal opportunity employer and offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits package including health, dental, vision, 403(b), paid vacation and sick time.