Programs and Evaluation Graduate Fellow

The Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity (NYC Opportunity) helps the City apply evidence and innovation to reduce poverty and increase equity. We advance research, data, and design in program and policy development, service delivery, and budget decisions. Our work includes analyzing existing anti-poverty approaches, developing new interventions, facilitating the sharing of data across City agencies, and rigorously assessing the impact of key initiatives.

The Programs and Evaluation (P&E) team partners with City agencies to design, manage, and assess innovative anti-poverty and equity strategies. We draw on our expertise in implementation, evaluation, and continuous quality improvement, and have designed and managed over 100 human services programs and systems-change initiatives in partnership with over 30 City agencies and Mayoral offices.

The P&E team engages in program development and management, and performance and fiscal monitoring for projects within our portfolio, and help partners develop appropriate performance monitoring metrics for their programs and initiatives. We work across a diverse array of priority policy areas and populations, including: workforce development and advancement; financial empowerment, asset building, and cash transfers; education; health and mental health; homelessness; immigration and naturalization; opportunity youth; legal system-involved youth and adults, and others. Where initiatives show promise, the P&E team leads evaluations of projects in our portfolio, as well as priority citywide programs and services for disadvantaged New Yorkers. Our evaluations are led by an in-house team in partnership with City agencies, and conducted by one of our independent evaluation firms.

  Responsibilities

Graduate fellows will work with NYC Opportunity P&E team staff to support program and policy development, research, performance management, and evaluation tasks. Specific projects depend on the individual’s interests and background, as well as the needs of the office.

Graduate fellows will report to one assigned supervisor who will assist with prioritization and workflow, but assignments will come from across the office. Each graduate fellow will: work on several specific projects and/or develop an area of specialization; have opportunities to work independently and as part of a team; and fully participate in the activities of a fast-paced mayoral office.

Examples of specific responsibilities could include:

  • Conducting research to support the development of new initiatives;
  • Assessing program implementation, performance data, and fiscal data;
  • Preparing policy memos focused on poverty-related issues;
  • Supporting design and implementation of strategies to advance equity through internal practices and City services, including conducting participatory research;
  • Assisting in management of program evaluations, including creation of dissemination materials;
  • Assisting communication strategies, including drafting content, and managing editorial calendar and systems; and
  • Assisting projects related to team internal policies and systems.

  Education and Experience

This role requires that applicants be a current candidate for a Masters Degree (MPA, MPP, MPH, or related degree preferred).

  Skills We're Seeking

Commitment to reducing poverty, and advancing greater equality and opportunity.

Experience with and interest in learning one or more of the following: program design, project and performance management, program evaluation, policy analysis, research, and communications.

Ability to present ideas cleraly and concisely in writing and orally.

Well-developed interpersonal and team-working skills.

Have strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Ability to meet multiple and unpredictable demands while working with minimal supervision.

  Rate

The pay rate for this position is $27.50 per hour, and the position does not offer benefits.

The anticipated start date is November 4th, 2024, subject to City vetting and processing.

This position is temporary, and requires that candidates be able to commit to working part-time during the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 semesters for 15 hours per week, spread across five days, until May 2025.

  How to Apply

The City of New York is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To apply, please fill out the application form. The form will prompt you to upload a resume and cover letter. Applications will be considered until October 16, 2024.

Due to the volume of applications received we may not be able to respond to every application.