Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Program and Research Manager, Cash Initiatives

at Economic Security Project

🏢 About Economic Security Project

The Economic Security Project is unique as a leading organization specifically dedicated to advancing cash initiatives like guaranteed income as tools for economic and racial justice. Unlike traditional think tanks, ESP combines policy advocacy with narrative change and direct support for cash programs, making it an ideal place for someone passionate about tangible, progressive economic solutions.

About This Role

This Senior Program and Research Manager role involves driving strategic program management for cash initiatives while providing hands-on operational support to translate big-picture strategy into actionable outcomes. You'll conduct research on diverse ESP cash initiatives, design systems for the Guaranteed Income Community of Practice, and coordinate across stakeholders to advance economic security through both policy and narrative projects.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve conducting research on cash transfer programs from government sources, drafting a policy memo synthesizing findings for different audiences, and facilitating a virtual convening of the Guaranteed Income Community of Practice. You'd likely coordinate with stakeholders across multiple projects while designing systems to track deliverables and advance ESP's strategic goals for economic justice.

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🎯 Who Economic Security Project Is Looking For

  • A strategic thinker who can execute details with precision while maintaining connection to larger economic justice goals, with proven experience in program management, research, and operational support roles
  • Someone skilled at conducting research from governmental sources and synthesizing complex information about cash transfers into accessible formats like fact sheets and policy memos for various audiences
  • An organized professional with strong systems-building skills for maintaining processes, tracking deliverables, and coordinating across multiple stakeholders in remote settings
  • A resourceful individual passionate about cash initiatives as tools for economic and racial justice, with experience supporting structured convenings and community of practice development

📝 Tips for Applying to Economic Security Project

1

Highlight specific experience with cash initiatives, guaranteed income programs, or economic justice work in your resume - ESP wants candidates who understand this specific policy area

2

Include concrete examples of how you've translated big-picture strategy into actionable outcomes in previous program management roles

3

Demonstrate your research synthesis skills by providing writing samples or describing how you've made complex economic information accessible to different audiences

4

Show experience with remote coordination and stakeholder management, as this is a remote position requiring cross-team collaboration

5

Tailor your application to show alignment with ESP's dual focus on both policy work and narrative change around economic security

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your specific experience with cash initiatives, guaranteed income, or economic justice work and why this aligns with ESP's mission", "Examples of how you've successfully managed programs from strategy to implementation while maintaining attention to detail", 'Your ability to conduct research and synthesize complex information for different audiences, with specific examples of research outputs', 'Experience designing systems, processes, or convenings that support communities of practice or stakeholder networks']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → ESP's specific cash initiatives and guaranteed income projects mentioned on their website and in their publications
  • → The Guaranteed Income Community of Practice (GICP) and similar networks ESP supports
  • → ESP's recent policy analyses and narrative projects around economic security
  • → Key staff members and their backgrounds to understand the organization's expertise and approach
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach designing systems and processes to support the Guaranteed Income Community of Practice?
2 Describe your experience conducting research on economic policies and synthesizing findings for different stakeholder groups
3 How do you balance strategic thinking with detailed operational execution in program management?
4 What experience do you have coordinating across diverse stakeholders in remote settings?
5 How would you contribute to ESP's dual mission of advancing both policy change and narrative shift around cash initiatives?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying with generic program management experience without connecting it to economic justice or cash initiatives specifically
  • Failing to demonstrate both strategic thinking AND attention to operational details in your application materials
  • Not showing understanding of ESP's unique dual focus on both policy work AND narrative change around economic security

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Economic Security Project!

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