Job Description
Job Overview
At the Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation at Georgetown University, Innovation and Incubation (I+I) Fellows are leading experts who pilot new and emerging projects and initiatives. I+I Fellows are instrumental in driving the Center’s mission to address complex societal challenges through innovative solutions.
The Benefits + Data Efficiency Fellow will lead a transformative 12-month research project to advance privacy-protected data sharing and matching, improving the accuracy and integrity of public benefits programs like SNAP, WIC, and Medicaid/CHIP. Building on the Beeck Center’s work in benefits delivery, the Fellow will analyze existing research, data sets, policies, and initiatives at federal and state levels to map the landscape of public benefits data sharing. They will produce original research to identify challenges and opportunities for leveraging privacy-protected data sharing and matching to drive meaningful change. The Fellow will document their work culminating in a final publication with actionable recommendations at the conclusion of the position’s one-year term.
The ideal candidate is a visionary leader with a deep understanding of the U.S. public benefits landscape, a track record of successfully leading innovative projects, and a commitment to advancing equitable social change. They will bring a collaborative mindset and strong networks to this role, driving actionable research that bridges gaps in public benefits administration and fosters data-driven innovation for social impact.
Before submitting your application to Georgetown University, visit the Beeck Center’s careers page to learn more about the recruiting process, timeline and supplemental application requirements.
Work Interactions
The Fellow will report to the Executive Director, Lynn Overmann, and collaborate closely with the Director of Strategic Initiatives, Grace Lacy-Hansell; the Director of the Digital Benefits Network, Ariel Kennan; I+I Fellow, Maya Mechenbier, and the I+I Program Manager, Zenzele Best. The Fellow may also have support from a part-time Student Analyst. The Fellow will represent the Beeck Center and Georgetown University when speaking publicly about their work.
They will also collaborate with other Beeck Center project teams. All project teams receive support from Beeck Center staff to ensure strategic goals are being met, including operational, communications, and student engagement support. The Fellow is also expected to contribute to limited operational activities such as grant reporting and fundraising for any additional programmatic support.
Distributed Working Environment
The Beeck Center operates as a distributed team, with some team members working remotely and others working in-person in our Washington, DC offices. A distributed team means there will be heavy reliance on asynchronous communication channels such as Slack, Asana, and Gmail while also having many meetings fully virtual or hybrid to include remote employees, using Zoom.
This position has been designated as remote. Please note that work mode designations are regularly reviewed in order to meet the evolving needs of the University. Such review may necessitate a change to a position’s mode of work designation. Complete details about Georgetown University’s mode of work designations for staff and AAP positions can be found on the Department of Human Resources website: https://hr.georgetown.edu/mode-of-work-designation.
The Beeck Center has two office spaces in Washington, D.C.: one on Georgetown University’s Main Campus and a second downtown on Georgetown’s Capitol Campus. We prioritize spending time in person with our student analysts for collaboration and career development as well as building relations across the various other centers on campus. Remote employees will have the opportunity to and are expected to travel up to 10% for team retreats, conferences and in-person work weeks. We encourage D.C.-based remote employees to utilize our office spaces and attend in-person events periodically.
Responsibilities
The I+I Fellow, Benefits + Data Efficiency will be responsible for:
Research, Publishing, and Advocacy – 80%
- Lead innovation in benefits delivery by driving research and analysis on how data sharing and matching can advance the integrity and efficiency of U.S. public benefits programs.
- Conduct original research on current approaches and practices around data sharing and matching across benefits programs at the federal and state level, with an emphasis on identifying barriers to and opportunities for wider implementation
- Cultivate relationships with state partners and other stakeholders in the public and non-profit sectors to identify and scale best practices for benefits delivery.
- Write, publish, and disseminate key research insights and actionable recommendations for government agencies on how to implement data sharing to improve the accuracy and integrity of state and federal benefits programs.
- Provide subject matter expertise to the Beeck Center and its partners as needed.
- Serve as a Beeck Center representative and liaison for external conferences, roundtables, and meetings on public benefits data topics.
Supervision and Mentorship – 20%
- Mentor and supervise Georgetown students and other team members, ensuring high-quality work and professional development.
- Contribute to Beeck Center educational activities such as hosting presentations and workshops for students and staff members to share skills and learnings from their research.
- Attend Center-wide gatherings including monthly virtual all-hands meetings and two in-person weeks per year.
Qualifications
Candidates for this position must have:
- At least 15 years of experience and a graduate degree or equivalent expertise in Public Policy, Social Sciences, Public Administration, Data Science, or a related field.
- At least 5 years of experience in research, policy analysis, and advocacy, with a focus on benefits administration and data.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and manage projects, including coordinating with multiple stakeholders, navigating competing priorities, and building/sticking to timelines with limited administrative support.
- Experience working with or in government, nonprofits, or community organizations on policy initiatives and/or program development.
- Excellent communication skills, including the ability to translate information into compelling narratives for diverse audiences, both verbally and through writing.
- Experience leading successful research projects grounded in a strong understanding of qualitative and quantitative methods.
- Experience supervising and mentoring staff and/or students, fostering a collaborative and inclusive team environment.
- Ability to navigate complex systems and bureaucracies with flexibility, positivity, and creative solutions.
- Commitment to driving equitable social change and advancing social impact through the use of data, design, and technology.
Compensation, Benefits, and Employment Term
The Innovation + Incubation Fellow role has a 12-month term. The salary for this position is $130,000-$170,000 annually, commensurate with experience, and includes full benefits.
Before You Apply
Please visit the Beeck Center’s careers page to review more details regarding the recruitment timeline and supplemental questions, which may be helpful to guide your Georgetown application.
Application Process
Please complete this application form to be considered for this role. Applications must be submitted before the deadline of the end of day Monday, February 10.
Need Assistance:
If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please click here for more information, or contact the Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Affirmative Action (IDEAA) at 202-687-4798 or ideaa@georgetown.edu.
Need some assistance with the application process? Please call 202-687-2500. For more information about the suite of benefits, professional development and community involvement opportunities that make up Georgetown’s commitment to its employees, please visit the Georgetown Works website.
EEO Statement:
Georgetown University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer fully dedicated to achieving a diverse faculty and staff. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and expression, and sexual orientation), disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.