First Focus on Children is seeking a full-time Director, Budget Policy and Data Analytics. Based in the Washington, D.C. area, this position will report to the Senior Vice President of Budget and Tax Policy and work closely with First Focus on Children staff and organizational partners in the Children’s Budget Coalition related to documenting how all children’s programs are faring in the federal budget, including serving as the lead analyst on First Focus on Children’s Children’s Budget series and conducting both quantitative and qualitative analysis of other federal administrative and research data related to children. This will include working with policy leads and communications on data analysis and writing and developing the Children’s Budget series and new research projects. The position will also work with First Focus policy staff on developing policy solutions and on educating lawmakers and the media about the data and ways to promote improved child well-being.

First Focus on Children is a bipartisan advocacy organization dedicated to making children and families a priority in federal policy and budget decisions. First Focus leads a comprehensive advocacy strategy, with its hands-on experience with federal policymaking and a commitment to seeking bipartisan solutions. First Focus of Children believes data analysis and awareness raising is a fundamental starting point in our theory of action. First Focus approaches its work, which is performed in partnership with First Focus Campaign for Children (its 501(c)(4) affiliate), through the following four steps: Data Analysis/Raising Awareness, Developing Policy Solutions, Building Will, and Taking Action.

Summary Description

The Director, Budget Policy and Data Analytics will research and analyze federal fiscal proposals and policies and their impact on children and conduct other analyses of administrative and research data with respect to children. Experience with budget data, including the federal budget and appropriations process, and analyzing, interpreting, and disseminating data, and identifying patterns from data collected through surveys, administrative, and program data is strongly preferred.

Essential Functions

  1. Work with the budget and tax policy team in the production of First Focus’s annual Children’s Budget book and a related Babies in the Budget publication, which both document the five-year spending trends for all the federal programs that impact children, babies, and toddlers.
  2. Work with the Vice President of Budget and Tax Policy to provide support in running the Children’s Budget Coalition, which is a collaboration of 75+ national child and family advocacy groups working to make children a greater priority in the federal budget.
  3. Analyze new and existing federal budget proposals and their impact on children and families.
  4. Analyze the annual President’s budget, congressional budgets, tax policy, and annual spending bills with respect to their impact on children.
  5. Analyze and disseminate data related to trends and impact on children from administrative and research data, such as the Census Bureau, etc.
  6. Write reports, briefings, fact sheets, and other written material regarding the federal budget and other trends related to children for dissemination to various audiences.
  7. Adept at using numbers and facts to tell a story through data visualization and narrative.
  8. Help keep First Focus of Children and the Children’s Budget Coalition websites updated with the latest policy resources and materials.

Education, Skills, and Abilities

We’re seeking candidates who excel in data analytics, are detail and results-oriented, and have a passion for improving the lives of children. Bachelor’s degree in policy and data analysis or related fields and 3-5 years of experience required.

  1. Proficiency in the areas of federal budget analysis.
  2. Understanding of how federal tax policies impact children and families.
  3. Ideal person will understand federal policy-making process, be adept with key tools in advocacy and policy change, understand political landscape, and be able to work on issues that require bipartisan support to lead to policy change.
  4. Knowledge of budget/appropriations process and federal research datasets/analysis such as work conducted by CBO, Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, IRS, Agriculture, and other agencies tracking data related to children.
  5. Demonstrated skill/experience in developing strategies to affect public policy debates and decisions; and an ability to consider complex budget and tax issues and explain those issues (both in writing and orally) for a broader audience, including policymakers and the media.
  6. Demonstrate the maturity and confidence to work internally and externally to promote the analysis and how it impacts public policy impacting children and families.
  7. Proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Outlook; and be able to prepare graphic presentations and conduct internet research.
  8. Demonstrated ability to work with minimal supervision; self-starter

This position is based in Washington, DC. Compensation depends on experience and is highly competitive.

To Apply:

Submit a cover letter outlining your interest in the position and your resume to jobs@wordpressmu-1207585-4417844.cloudwaysapps.com with “Budget Policy and Data Analytics Job” in the subject line.