About Urban Institute:

At the Urban Institute, we believe in the power of evidence to improve lives and strengthen communities. As a nonprofit focusing on social and economic policy, our researchers and policy entrepreneurs open minds, shape decisions, and identify transformative solutions to the most pressing issues of our time.

Our Mission

To open minds, shape decisions, and offer solutions through economic and social policy research.

Our Values

Collaboration, Equity, Inclusivity, Independence, and Integrity

For more information on the Urban Institute, please visit https://www.urban.org.

The Opportunity:

Central to Urban’s mission is fostering a truly inclusive community that ensures ongoing relevance to a changing world. The successful candidate will contribute to HFPC work streams in multiple ways: conducting and contributing to research around housing finance, homeownership and housing wealth gaps, supporting the translation of research insights to policy and practice, meeting planning, and innovative engagement strategies, and advancing program goals through development of work plans, budgets, and partner relationships. The candidate will support portfolios of existing work as well as new and emerging opportunities, working closely with staff at all levels.

We are seeking a candidate who values diversity and inclusion; thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic office environment; and possesses strong writing, oral communication, problem-solving, time management, and relationship management skills.

What You’ll Do:

• With the support of senior staff, manage external relationships to provide research and evidence that answers critical questions, and empowers external stakeholders to make better policy and practice decisions




• Conduct background policy research to support existing projects as well as proposals for new bodies of work




• Synthesize research findings to identify and recommend best practices in program or policy implementation




• Draft reports, op-eds, blogs, talking points and presentations for external audiences




• Support the release of deliverables for high-visibility programs in partnership with other Urban Centers to meet program goals and deadlines




• Track program deliverables and finances across multiple projects and teams, proactively communicating progress and potential challenges to supervisors and project teams




• Support the execution of roundtables and other meetings by coordinating logistics, engaging partners, developing content and taking notes




• Support and prepare senior staff for regular internal and external meetings, and in the completion of deliverables

Who You Are:

The successful candidate will:

• Possess a Master’s Degree or Bachelor's Degree, and at least 2-4 years of relevant work experience




• Prove an emerging capacity with urban policy analysis in affordable housing, homeownership, and housing finance arenas  with an interest in racial, ethnic and socioeconomic equity as a cross-cutting issue, including specifically around Latino homeownership  




• Have experience working with federal, state, local policymakers or philanthropic, non-profit, and/or mission-engaged for-profit organizations




• Exhibit an interest in consuming and distilling research for use in policy and practice




• Demonstrate proven writing skills for policy-focused audiences




• Have a commitment to effective project management and the ability to juggle multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail




• Demonstrate capacity to engage and communicate with individuals of differing backgrounds and experience supporting collaborative projects




• Possess experience engaging and communicating with external clients and stakeholders




• Have a willingness to learn, adapt and suggest improvements




• Display strong interpersonal skills and comfort working both independently and in team environments




• Have a willingness and ability to travel (10%)

In addition to your resume please provide a cover letter

What You’ll Experience:

No matter your role with Urban, you will contribute to meaningful work that makes a difference for people and communities across the country. And whether you call the Washington, DC area or elsewhere home, you can expect to be part of a welcoming and hybrid workplace. We are committed to cultivating a community and working in a manner defined by collaboration, equity, inclusivity, independence, and integrity.

Urban’s greatest asset is our people.

Urban is committed to supporting our staff’s physical, emotional, and financial well-being through a robust benefits package for yourself, eligible dependents, and domestic partners. It includes generous paid time off, including nine federal holidays, medical (including prescription), dental and vision insurance, and transit benefits. Urban is unique in that we offer 403(b) retirement plan participation immediately after you’re hired and a generous employer contribution after five months of service and 1,000 hours, with immediate vesting. You’ll also have access to a health advocate, personal finance coaching, an Employee Assistance Program, and educational assistance for undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

As a federal contractor, Urban will comply with Executive Order (EO) 14042 that requires federal contractors, subcontractors, and their respective employees to comply with Covid-19 vaccinations. All Urban Institute employees must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and comply with masking and distancing requirements, regardless of responsibilities or work location. New hires must also be fully vaccinated before starting work.  Employees may request exemption from vaccination against COVID-19 based on either a medical condition or a sincerely held religious belief that prevents them from being vaccinated.  Where such an exemption is approved, Urban will discuss with each employee potential accommodation.

The Urban Institute has formally recognized the Urban Institute Employees’ Union, which is part of the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU). Urban management and the Union work together in good faith and are motivated by a shared commitment to this institution. This position is included in the Union-represented collective bargaining unit, and specific employment terms and conditions are subject to collective bargaining negotiations.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the people assigned. This posting is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Urban management reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

The Urban Institute is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender or gender identity, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, veteran status, pregnancy or family responsibilities, matriculation, disability, political affiliation, or any other protected status under applicable law.

We are committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you have a physical and/or mental disability and are interested in applying for employment and need special accommodations to use our website to apply for a position, please contact Human Resources at humanresources@urban.org. Reasonable accommodation requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.