Two Positions at The Pew Charitable Trusts

Manager, Election Initiatives
Job ID: 2011-2741 Location: US-DC-Washington
Department: Pew Center on the States Posted Date: 11/10/2011

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More information about this job:
Overview:
The Pew Center on the States (PCS) works to advance state policies that serve the public interest. PCS conducts highly credible research, brings together diverse perspectives, and analyzes states’ experiences to determine what works and what doesn’t as part of The Pew Charitable Trusts’ broader effort to study and promote nonpartisan policy solutions for pressing and emerging problems affecting Americans.
PCS makes use of a broad range of research and policy approaches from a set of diverse perspectives to help states explore and advance effective policies, regardless of the issue. These approaches include credible, timely and user-friendly research; assessments of public support for change; strategic outreach and dissemination to ensure that good information is widely communicated to state decision-makers, media, influential stakeholders and the public; and convenings that bring together diverse perspectives and find common ground
PCS tracks and measures how well states are faring in a range of important issues through 50-state assessments, policy briefs, case studies and report cards. Through research and a network of state-based partners PCS homes in on policy areas of critical importance to advance effective policy solutions. PCS operates major initiatives in early education, sentencing and corrections, and election reform.
From time to time, PCS partners with other Pew projects on issues such as climate change and states’ response to the foreclosure crisis. While these issues are quite different, the projects have several important elements in common. All are grounded in credible, rigorous, nonpartisan research, focus on pragmatic solutions, and shine a spotlight on states that have succeeded so that other states can learn about effective approaches. They also engage a diverse range of partners in the states and at the national level. Drawing on its internal capacity as well as the scientific, legal, and policy making community, PCS research meet rigorous standards of scientific reliability and validity.
The Pew Center on the States (PCS) Election Initiatives aim to foster an election system that achieves the highest standards of accuracy, convenience, efficiency and security by supporting research that examines the most pressing election problems and undertaking an array of pilot projects to address issues identified during elections. Pew’s research and experiments inform our approach to identifying efficient, cost effective solutions – policies, practices and technologies – that address the key challenges facing the election process:
Building an election system that reflects the way people live. American elections operate today much as they did at the turn of the 20th century. PCS Election Initiatives aspire to bring elections into the 21st century with research that will advance solutions to modernize the voter registration system, improve the voting process for military and overseas voters and study new models for casting ballots that accommodate a modern, mobile society;
Putting voters in charge of their own voting experience. Despite the reforms since the 2000 election, the election process continues to overlook the most important part: the voter. PCS Election Initiatives seek to empower voters by using technology to make personalized voter information widely and equally available via the Internet and other means;
Eliminating barriers to innovation. Although voters recognize the need for reform, America’s election system has been remarkably resistant to change. PCS Election Initiatives work to lower these barriers by encouraging policy makers and vendors to focus on data, not anecdotes to make informed decisions. Through better collection of election data and improved measures of performance, we foster innovative, evidence-based solutions to help states overcome barriers to innovation in election reform.
The Pew Center on the States recognizes that successful election reform must involve a variety of stakeholders in the process. We consult with election officials, policy makers, researchers, technology experts, businesses and other stakeholders in the election process to help guide our commitment to election modernization. The Pew Center on the States also works with partners to disseminate up-to-date, comprehensive, centralized election news, research and reform analysis to inform various stakeholders and the general public regarding election reform issues and best practices.
The Manager will fulfill two key roles in the Election Initiatives team: the lead manager in our elections performance portfolio, including the production of an election performance index, and as chief-of-staff to the Director of Election Initiatives. The Manager reports to the Director, Election Initiatives, who is based in Washington, DC, and will be part of a project staff including: a director, a senior officer, two managers, three senior associates, an associate, an administrative assistant and a research fellow. This position is funded through March 2013.
Responsibilities:
Oversee the production, management and work product of all the major contract and contractors for the Election Initiatives elections performance portfolio. Ensure that the empirical studies and publications that form the basis for an elections performance index are carried through to completion;
Develop and implement strategic research, dissemination and advocacy plans for the production of an elections performance index;
Plan meetings and cultivate meaningful relationships with key stakeholders in the field including leading academics, policy makers and election officials;
Work with the Research Manager to oversee all performance related research, reports and publications to ensure that the work is of the highest quality and aligns appropriately with the project’s strategic goals;
Periodically represent the Election Initiatives and Pew at selected national and state-level conferences, meetings and other events. Prepare materials for distribution and make presentations that effectively communicate the project’s goals and progress;
Manage the operations of PCS Election Initiatives to ensure that revenues, spending, budget allocation and general accounting as well as all contracts and funding agreements with external consultants are in accordance with overall PCS guidelines;
Work with the Senior Director to ensure all of the major Election Initiatives project components—whether developed internally or by the initiative’s grantee partners or contractors—are well-coordinated and strategically focused;
Develop timelines and set goals to determine when any of the Election Initiatives’ projects are at risk of not meeting their goals, identifying the causes and, when needed, taking appropriate steps to remedy the problem in ways that keep the project on course;
Work with Pew’s Philanthropic Partnership Group and the Election Initiatives team members to present proposals to funders specifically for the Elections Performance Index as well as develop budgets and draft narratives for proposals across all Election Initiatives projects;
Evaluate project budgets to ensure they are accurate, timely and highly cost effective;
Work with the Director of Elections Initiatives to develop means to consistently communicate and tie together the Elections team to raise the standards, productivity and cohesion. Lead efforts to resolve conflicts and promote successes within the team;
Oversee Associate, Administrative Assistant and Pew Leadership Year Fellow, ensuring that they receive routine, high quality feedback about their performance, support for their professional goals, and opportunities for professional development;
Contribute to the drafting or editing of selected press releases, op-eds, memos and speeches;
Assist in the production and dissemination of project publications, including generating ideas for publications, managing development of the ideas into viable publications, selecting appropriate consultants as authors, and editing draft copy;
Prepare contracts and letters of agreement for consultants and project partners;
Contribute to and participate in tasks of the Election Initiatives and the Pew Center on the States as assigned, as well as broader Pew-related projects and activities as needed.

Requirements:
At least eight years of experience in the public policy arena. Experience working with state and federal policymakers, election officials, researchers and other stakeholders is strongly preferred;
Masters or other advanced degree in a relevant area or equivalent experience preferred;
Demonstrated strong analytical skills applied to public policy issues, including an ability to synthesize and summarize large amounts of information and to focus quickly on the essence of an issue;
Expresses ideas, thoughts and concepts clearly and concisely in a compelling way to convince or assist others, both in writing and orally. A clear, effective writing and presentation style;
A keen understanding of the importance of rigorous, timely and policy-relevant research, experience commissioning and managing such research and disseminating it effectively to policymakers, the media and the public strongly preferred;
Experience convening groups of policymakers, researchers, other professionals, and constituencies, and supporting their efforts to move toward a desired outcome;
Demonstrated time- and project-management skills, including an ability to meet multiple deadlines by maintaining a high level of organization. Ability to think strategically and creatively, adjust to changing circumstances, organize time, remain attentive to details and identify resources for projects;
Acute political awareness and non-partisan perspective and approach. Demonstrated ability to build relationships among individuals and organizations with a range of interests and perspectives;
Ability to fit into the creative, fast-paced and highly professional corporate culture of the Trusts, which emphasizes excellence, collegiality and teamwork.
Travel
Approximately one to two times per month to attend conferences or meetings.



Associate, Election Initiatives
Job ID: 2011-2745 Location: US-DC-Washington
Department: Pew Center on the States Posted Date: 11/11/2011

Apply for this job:
For internal employees (i.e. regular employees and temporary staff paid by Pew): You must have your manager’s permission prior to applying online. To submit your materials for this job, click here.
For employees of temporary agencies: You are eligible to apply for internal positions at Pew. Contact your agency to apply on your behalf.
For referrals: Positions may be posted internally before they are available externally. If you would like to refer a candidate, you will be redirected to our external career center. To refer a candidate, click here.

More information about this job:
Overview:
The PCS Election Initiatives aim to foster an election system that achieves the highest standards of accuracy, convenience, efficiency and security by supporting research that examines the most pressing election problems and undertaking an array of pilot projects to address issues identified during elections. Pew’s research and experiments inform our approach to identifying efficient, cost-effective solutions – policies, practices and technologies – that address the key challenges facing the election process:
Building an election system that reflects the way people live. American elections operate today much as they did at the turn of the 20th century. PCS Election Initiatives aspire to bring elections into the 21st century with research that will advance solutions to modernize the voter registration system, improve the voting process for military and overseas voters and study new models for casting ballots that accommodate a modern, mobile society;
Putting voters in charge of their own voting experience. Despite the reforms since the 2000 election, the election process continues to overlook the most important part: the voter. PCS Election Initiatives seek to empower voters by using technology to make personalized voter information widely and equally available via the Internet and other means;
Eliminating barriers to innovation. Although voters recognize the need for reform, America’s election system has been remarkably resistant to change. PCS Election Initiatives work to lower these barriers by encouraging policy makers and vendors to focus on data, not anecdotes, to make informed decisions. Through better collection of election data and improved measures of performance, we foster innovative, evidence-based solutions to help states overcome barriers to innovation in election reform.
The Pew Center on the States recognizes that successful election reform must involve a variety of stakeholders in the process. We consult with election officials, policy makers, researchers, technology experts, businesses and other stakeholders in the election process to help guide our commitment to election modernization. Through our renowned electionline.org Web site and newsletters, the Pew Center on the States disseminates up-to-date, comprehensive, centralized election news, research and reform analysis to inform various stakeholders and the general public regarding election administration issues and best practices.
This position, based in Pew's Washington, D.C. office, will report to the project manager of Election Initiatives and will be part of a project staff including: a director, a senior officer, three managers, three senior associates, an administrative assistant and a research fellow.
The associate’s primary responsibilities include two main functions: (1) supporting the activities and goals of the Voting Information Project (VIP); and (2) assisting the director and project manager with strategic planning and coordination of project activities, including public meetings and convenings, development of Board documents, internal and partner communications, and various other rapid response duties.
The Voting information Project
VIP is a partnership with election boards, technology companies, and information outlets to provide Election Day information to the public – when they need it and where they look for it. This includes answers to frequently asked questions such as "Where is my polling place?" and "What is on the ballot?". Developed by the Pew Center on the States, VIP works in partnership with state and local election offices to shape official information into a standard, open programming language, and makes it available through applications for computers, mobile phones, and other devices that have been used by millions. Project partners range from Google to Microsoft, AT&T, Facebook, Foursquare, and others.
This position will be an integral part of this project by overseeing its operations and key elements of its communications. By working directly with various members of the VIP coalition—including non-profits, technology companies, media outlets, and political organizations—the associate will ensure the project meets internal and external deadlines by coordinating coalition efforts with new and existing partners, responding to inquiries, and managing relationships.
Cross-Cutting Elections Work
The associate will also be responsible for assisting the director and project manager in the team’s core functions; serving as a hub to connect the four election initiatives to ensure open communications between the projects and clear coordination, quality control and sequencing of budgets, contracts, fundraising, publications, and messaging. Responsibilities will include managing consultants, maintaining internal and external communications and writing for reports, memos, policy briefs, 50-state scans and other research products that are highly relevant to policy deliberations. The associate may also undertake special projects aimed at improving the overall operation of Election Initiatives and other projects in the PCS elections portfolio as their workload permits.
The project and position are approved through March 2013 with the possibility of renewal depending on the initiative's progress, board approval and continued funding.
Responsibilities:
Reporting to a project manager in Election Initiatives and in support of the project team and other colleagues across PCS, the associate will:
Aid project staff in workings towards VIP's goal of expanding information available from states in preparation for the 2012 Election Cycle;
Contribute to dissemination efforts, including involvement in development of new software applications, and recruitment of media and other information outlets;
Assist in VIP partnership outreach and coordination, including contract implementation and management, and managing the project’s presence online;
Assist project staff by developing and processing contracts, vendor agreements and subgrants to effectively achieve the Election Initiatives’ project goals;
Draft reports, briefs, memos, and communication materials that are relevant to project goals and easily understood by the target audiences including the public, media, and policy makers as well as internal audiences. Edit and proof draft documents for accuracy;
Assist in the planning, development and smooth implementation of public forums and convenings;
Facilitate cross-project communications and messaging across all four election initiatives;
Work with project staff to develop project management plans that ensure outcomes and goals are achieved in a timely and efficient manner with a focus on overall strategic planning;
Assist with projects on the military and overseas voting, upgrading voter registration, and elections performance index initiatives as assigned;
Assist with overall strategic thinking of the Election Initiatives projects including the development and management of internal Board documents, annual plans, timelines, strategy papers, and bi-weekly team meetings;
Work with Communications staff to ensure that internal and external audiences are kept apprised of project updates through informal newsletters, mailings and other vehicles. Work with Communications and external partner to raise the notoriety and profile of VIP through the media and VIP's constituent communities and to collect information on project-related issues to support Web efforts targeted at state policy makers, academics, the media and the general public;
Develop and maintain an informed awareness of topics of interest in the PCS elections and government performance portfolio in order to most effectively carry out all of the activities listed above and participate in special research projects;
Contribute to and participate in Election Initiatives and PCS tasks as assigned, as well as broader Pew-wide projects and/or committees as needed.

Requirements:
Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred;
One to three years of relevant professional experience, including demonstrated research, administrative and writing skills. Experience in public policy in general and election administration, technology policy, and open government in particular preferred;
Ability to write clearly and cogently for multiple audiences including policy makers, the media and public;
Ability to synthesize and summarize large amounts of information and to focus quickly on the essence of an issue, as well as to identify, understand and synthesize different policy perspectives;
Strong systems skills including Microsoft Office products required: word processing (Word); spreadsheets (Excel); presentations (PowerPoint); and workload management (Outlook). Familiarity with basic HTML, mapping, geographic information systems, and data management tools preferred (Google Maps, Bing Maps, ArcGIS);
Ability to work professionally and collegially within a creative, fast-paced corporate culture that emphasizes excellence and teamwork;
Demonstrated time- and project-management skills, including an ability to meet multiple deadlines by maintaining a high level of organization and attention to detail. Ability to set priorities and identify resources;
Ability to develop and manage productive and collaborative relationships, both internally and with a variety of external project partners and contractors. Excellent communication skills a must;
Propensity to think creatively and strategically about new project opportunities;
Ability to work independently with limited supervision. Flexible and able to routinely juggle multiple competing priorities and work in teams of both support and senior staff to meet project goals.
Travel
Occasional overnight travel for meetings and conferences expected.

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