Policy Researcher

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States

Updated: 20 days ago
Location: Chapel Hill, NORTH CAROLINA
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: 12 Apr 2024

Posting Information
Posting Information


Department AHEC-400101
Career Area Research Professionals
Posting Open Date 03/11/2024
Application Deadline 04/12/2024
Open Until Filled No
Position Type Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)
Working Title Policy Researcher
Appointment Type EHRA Non-Faculty
Position Number 20062561
Vacancy ID NF0007929
Full Time/Part Time Full-Time Permanent
FTE 1
Hours per week 40
Position Location North Carolina, US
Hiring Range Dependent upon Qualifications
Proposed Start Date 04/01/2024

Position Information


Be a Tar Heel!
A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities . Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.
One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.
University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package , paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.
Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit
The UNC School of Medicine has a rich tradition of excellence and care. Our mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of North Carolinians, and others whom we serve. We accomplish this by providing leadership and excellence in the interrelated areas of patient care, education, and research. We strive to promote faculty, staff, and learner development in a diverse, respectful environment where our colleagues demonstrate professionalism, enhance learning, and create personal and professional sustainability. We optimize our partnership with the UNC Health System through close collaboration and commitment to service.
OUR VISION
Our vision is to be the nation’s leading public school of medicine. We are ranked 2nd in primary care education among all US schools of medicine and 5th among public peers in NIH research funding. Our Allied Health Department is home to five top-ranked divisions, and we are home to 18 top-ranked clinical and basic science departments in NIH research funding.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others whom we serve. We accomplish this by providing leadership and excellence in the interrelated areas of patient care, education, and research.
Patient Care: We will promote health and provide superb clinical care while maintaining our strong tradition of reaching underserved populations and reducing health disparities across North Carolina and beyond.
Education: We will prepare tomorrow’s health care professionals and biomedical researchers by facilitating learning within innovative curricula and team-oriented interprofessional education. We will cultivate outstanding teaching and research faculty, and we will recruit outstanding students and trainees from highly diverse backgrounds to create a socially responsible, highly skilled workforce.
Research: We will develop and support a rich array of outstanding health sciences research programs, centers, and resources. We will provide infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration among disciplines throughout and beyond our University to support outstanding research. We will foster programs in the areas of basic, translational, mechanistic, and population research.
Position Summary
The Statewide North Carolina Workforce for Health Initiative will provide a forum for health employers, workers, educators, regulators, policymakers, and others throughout North Carolina to convene, discuss challenges and opportunities, share best practices and lessons learned, identify potential solutions and metrics for success, and monitor progress toward developing, training and sustaining the health workforce required to meet population health needs. Feedback from extensive stakeholder interviews indicates the desire for immediate solutions to these urgent problems, and support for a forum to share emerging best practices and assistance in identifying practical solutions. There is broad consensus that sustained collaborative work will be necessary to create a statewide plan and system of workforce development that meets the needs of the population and prioritizes whole-person care, including the social drivers of health. 
This Policy Researcher, inside the Workforce for Health Initiative, reports to the Associated Director of the Workforce for Health Initiative.The Policy Researcher will develop, synthesize, and report on data and evidence that supports the Center’s efforts to develop policy interventions to develop, train, and sustain the workforce required to meet population health needs. The Policy Researcher’s duties include but are not limited to: 
  • Conducting health policy-focused research, including literature reviews, and policy and legislative analysis, 
  • Tracking and reporting on state and local legislative and policy initiatives relevant to the Center’s work, 
  • Analyzing and reporting findings from state and national secondary data sources, 
  • Conducting and reporting findings from qualitative analyses including surveys, interviews, focus groups and other sources, 
  • Helping construct, deploy, and analyze surveys, drafting reports, policy briefs, white papers, manuscripts, presentations, blog posts and web content that summarizes findings in a concise, easily digestible way for decision makers, 
  • Leading discussions with stakeholders and developing meeting summary notes for internal and external purposes.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree required (or foreign degree equivalent); for candidates demonstrating comparable independent research productivity, will accept a relevant Bachelor’s degree (or foreign degree equivalent) and 3 or more years of relevant experience in substitution. May require terminal degree and licensure.
Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
Strong research and writing experience. Policy analysis and research skills, including the ability to synthesize content from a broad range of sources. Strong written communication skills and the ability to transform complicated information into easy-to-understand materials. Ability to interact professionally with senior-level individuals (e.g., local, state, and national policymakers), stakeholders, and organizations. Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team. Must be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with varied responsibilities and able to respond flexibly to changing needs. Proficient in use of standard computing software (including Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint); capacity to learn additional job-specific programs as required.
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
Prefer a Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (e.g. Public Policy, Health Policy, Public Health, Public Administration, Government, Law) plus 5 years of relevant work experience OR a Master’s degree in relevant subject area (e.g. Public Policy, Health Policy, Public Health, Public Administration, Government, Law) plus 3 years of relevant experience. 
Data analysis capabilities, including quantitative and qualitative data. Training or experience in the fields of health policy, public policy, or public health is preferred. Ability to program in R, Stata or SAS. Administrative, project coordination, and/or project management experience is preferred.
Special Physical/Mental Requirements
Campus Security Authority Responsibilities

Not Applicable.
Special Instructions
Quick Link https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/276307

Posting Contact Information


Department Contact Name and Title Shelly Fritts, Basic Science HR Team Lead
Department Contact Telephone or Email [email protected]
Office of Human Resources Contact Information

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (919) 843-2300 or send an email to [email protected]
Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.

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