Jobs

Policy Analyst/Senior Policy Analyst

The Hawai‘i Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice is seeking a Policy Analyst/Senior Policy Analyst to support our advocacy efforts to create a more socially and economically just Hawaiʻi. This position will be primarily working within our food equity issue area. We are seeking an individual with excellent research and data management skills and the ability to communicate complex policy information using accessible language.

About Hawai‘i Appleseed

Hawai‘i Appleseed is committed to a more socially and economically just Hawai‘i, where everyone has genuine opportunities to achieve economic security and fulfill their potential. We change policies, systems, and narratives by conducting data analysis and research, educating policymakers and the public, engaging in collaborative problem solving and coalition building, and building community leaders.

The issues we work on—housing, food, fair wages and taxation, transportation, and racial and indigenous equity—are important because they ensure people have access to shelter, sustenance, and the means to survive and thrive individually and collectively. Our food equity work prioritizes ensuring people in Hawaiʻi have access to enough healthy food to meet basic needs, but it goes further than that. We also seek solutions that support an overall equitable food system, wherein all Hawaiʻi residents have the ability and opportunity to grow and to consume healthful, affordable, and culturally significant foods. 

We are seeking a Policy Analyst/Senior Policy Analyst who can contribute to this effort by developing impact-oriented, data-driven research and policy recommendations to achieve this vision, informed by the people we serve. 

Position Responsibilities

The Policy Analyst/Senior Policy Analyst for Food Equity reports to Hawaiʻi Appleseed’s Director of Food Equity. This position works collaboratively with other staff at Hawaiʻi Appleseed, and also with community partners, primarily through our partnership with the Hawaiʻi Hunger Action Network, to advance our collective priorities. Primary responsibilities include:

• Monitor primary government data sources as well as secondary sources of data, such as national reports, model legislation, media and testimony archives. Use these to develop Hawaiʻi-specific reports and identify key levers for impact.

• Assist with interpretation of federal policies and regulations and how they might apply to Hawaiʻi. 

• Draft and provide verbal and written testimony on state legislation and federal regulatory proposals.

• Assist the Director of Food Equity with legislative lobbying efforts at the state, federal, and county levels. 

• Support the Hawaiʻi Hunger Action Network by coordinating meeting logistics, agenda development, and evaluation.

• Develop materials, presentations, and infographics that clearly frame or illustrate a particular topic or concept to various audiences.

• Draft blog posts, e-newsletters, press releases, and op-eds to communicate research findings and project successes.

• Assist with grant writing and reporting.

• Work collaboratively with Hawaiʻi Appleseed colleagues across strategies to develop and implement campaign plans. 

Position Qualifications

The right candidate will have the following strengths and qualifications:

• Strong commitment to equity and inclusion, and to Hawaiʻi Appleseed’s mission, vision, and values.

• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as public policy, economics, sociology, political science, or social work. The Senior Policy Analyst position requires at least five years related experience, two of which may be substituted with a graduate degree in a relevant field. 

• An understanding of the unique social, political, cultural, and systemic issues that affect Hawaiʻi’s communities.

• Strong data management skills, including the ability to develop and analyze quantitative surveys, conduct basic cost or impact analyses, and maintain navigable databases in spreadsheet software.

• Exceptional written communication skills, in particular in communicating complex issues using language appropriate to non-experts.

• Critical thinking skills, including the ability to synthesize policy information, consider feasible alternatives, and anticipate potential consequences.

• Qualitative research experience, including the ability to distill and code qualitative themes from interviews or text.

• Knowledge of Hawaiʻi’s legislative process, advocacy, or lobbying experience.

• Rigorous attention to detail and highly organized

• Facility with key computer software programs. 

• Ability to work well in teams and with coalition partners.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time, year-round position and the successful candidate will either live in or relocate to Hawai‘i. Hawaiʻi Appleseed’s office is located in Honolulu, but there is potential for the person filling this position to work remotely from a neighbor island. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience, within the range of $58,250 to $66,625 for a Policy Analyst, and $65,500 to $82,000 for a Senior Policy Analyst. The position also provides comprehensive benefits including health care, paid holidays and personal leave and a 401(k) match up to 5% of annual salary.

Interested candidates should send a letter of interest, resume and a writing sample (demonstrating analytical and writing skills) to jobs@hiappleseed.org. The position will remain open until filled.