Program Dir., Research and Policy 6/8 Deadline

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
Program Director-Research and Policy
The Insight Center for Community Economic Development is seeking a Program Director -Research and Policy. The ideal candidate will have a deep commitment to economic and racial justice, and comfort approaching issues from a systemic perspective. S/he will have exceptional research and analytical skills, be able to manage multiple research projects, think strategically, and develop research supported public policy options.

The Insight Center is a national research, consulting and legal organization with a mission to help people and communities become, and remain, economically secure. We partner with a diverse range of colleagues to develop innovative strategies and programs that result in systemic change.
The Program Director- Research and Policy reports to the Vice President for Policy and Strategic Advancement, will work collaboratively with staff across all program areas, but will focus on supporting the work of the Closing the Racial Wealth Gap Initiative (CRWG). The CRWG supports the leadership of experts of color on asset building policies and practices, promotes asset building as a path to economic security and equity, and develops recommendations to address the racial wealth gap.

Principal responsibilities of this position include:
 Design and management of research projects
 Evaluation of economic data, academic articles, and other relevant publications
 Analysis of policy proposals and leading policy design efforts
 Research and writing policy papers, issue briefs, op-eds, background memos, and blog posts
 Representing the Insight Center to key constituents and partners
 Providing strategic thinking and research support for policy proposals to build wealth for economically vulnerable people and communities
 Develop financial support of research projects
 Other tasks to support the policy and program work of the organization

Qualifications, Skills and Attributes
 Commitment to eradicating structural racism where it exists
 Interest in analyzing and addressing economic and racial disparities and other inequities
 Sophisticated ability to research and analyze complex policy issues
 Ability to think strategically and provide research support to move national agendas geared toward structural reform
 Ability to present complex issues to a variety of audiences, including policymakers, practitioners, advocacy organizations, and community members;
 Self-driven , self-directed and able to work successfully both independently and in teams;
 Expert in Excel and a working knowledge of the Census, PUMS, ACS and SBO, SPSS preferred
 Ability and willingness to travel nationally

Organizational History
Throughout its 43 year history, the Insight Center has developed and tested new models and approaches, often locally, and then promoted the promising ones nationally as the best practices in the field. We were the first national organization to offer a comprehensive and coherent approach to Community Economic Development, helping to create housing, jobs, health care facilities, and businesses. We led the way in establishing the legal precedents for business and real estate development by charitable corporations, and wrote the first comprehensive legal treatise on the subject. In our first 15 years, the Insight Center supported the creation of more than 500 community-based development corporations around the country.
During the next 28 years, the Insight Center has pioneered new approaches in workforce development, becoming the first proponent of sector-based strategies; in early care and education, becoming the first organization to demonstrate the economic importance of childcare; and more recently, in asset building, leading a national effort to close the racial wealth gap for the next generation.

For additional information on Insight’s mission, vision and programs, visit our website at www.insightcced.org.

The Insight Center offers an excellent benefit package that includes medical coverage, a retirement plan, four weeks paid vacation, paid sick leave, 14 holidays per year, tuition reimbursement and a paid sabbatical.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample and three professional references via email to hr@insightcced.org or by mail to The Insight Center for Community Economic Development, Attention: Human Resources Director, 2201 Broadway, Suite 815, Oakland, CA 94612 or by fax to 510-251-2660. Application deadline is JUNE 8, 2012 or until position is filled.

The Insight Center for Community Economic Development is an equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to the affirmative hiring of women, people of color and the disabled.