1

Social Policy Research Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Carry out policy and data analysis and related research: Monitor and evaluate New York State policies and legislation. Develop a plan for evaluating and analyzing relevant public and social policies ...

Fall Intern: Office of the President

Washington, DC · On-site

$17 - $22/hr

Internship duties include researching topics in American politics, social policy, and poverty; summarizing and evaluating reports and scholarly publications; providing timely writing and editorial ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Social Policy Research information

What is a social policy research?

A Social Policy Research job involves analyzing public policies and their impact on society. Researchers collect and evaluate data to determine the effectiveness of policies in areas such as healthcare, education, and social welfare. They often work for government agencies, nonprofits, or think tanks to provide evidence-based recommendations for policy improvements. The role requires strong analytical skills, research methodology expertise, and the ability to communicate findings effectively.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in social policy research?

To thrive in Social Policy Research, a strong background in sociology, public policy, statistics, or a related field is essential, often supported by at least a bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with data analysis software such as SPSS or Stata, as well as experience in survey design and policy evaluation tools, is typically required. Excellent written and verbal communication, critical thinking, and collaboration skills help researchers effectively convey findings and work within interdisciplinary teams. These competencies are crucial for producing actionable insights that inform policy decisions and drive social improvement.

What are the typical responsibilities in social policy research?

In a Social Policy Research role, you’ll typically be involved in designing and conducting research studies, collecting and analyzing data, and evaluating the effectiveness of current policies or programs. You may also be responsible for preparing detailed reports or policy briefs that communicate your findings to policymakers, stakeholders, or the public. Collaboration is common, as you’ll often work within a team of researchers or with external partners such as government agencies, non-profits, or academic institutions. These responsibilities help ensure that research outcomes are impactful and contribute to meaningful policy development and societal progress.

What are the most commonly searched types of Social Policy Research jobs in Reston, VA?

The most popular types of Social Policy Research jobs in Reston, VA are:

What are popular job titles related to Social Policy Research jobs in Reston, VA?

For Social Policy Research jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Social Policy Research jobs in Reston, VA look for?

The top searched job categories for Social Policy Research jobs in Reston, VA are:

Infographic showing various Social Policy Research job openings in Reston, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, and 11% Part Time. Highlights an 89% In-person, and 11% Hybrid job distribution.

International Policy Research Intern

Bread For The World, Inc

Washington, DC • On-site

$17.50 - $18/hr

Other

Posted 2 days ago

New


Job description

Bread for the World is a Christian advocacy organization urging U.S. decision makers to do all they can to pursue a world without hunger. Our mission is to educate and equip people to advocate for policies and programs that can help end hunger in the U.S. and around the world. The Karen Sue Smith and Rose DiMartino Internship Program enables you to contribute your efforts to this mission while benefiting from opportunities for supervised learning, personal development, and gain work experience.

DEPARTMENT: Policy and Research Institute (PRI)

REPORTS TO: Senior International Policy Advisor

SEMESTER: Fall (Sept. - Dec. 2026)

SCHEDULE: Part Time: 22.5 hours per week

APPLY BY: Sept. 4th 2026

PRIMARY PURPOSE: The intern will support Bread PRI’s International portfolio , especially policies and programs related to global hunger, malnutrition, and international assistance. Primary responsibilities for this role will include a combination of the following:

  • Research and analyze the hunger impacts of international policies.
  • Research, writing and analysis of policies and programs pertinent to the PRI international portfolio.
  • Schedule Hill meetings.
  • Participate in advocacy coalitions and appropriations meetings.
  • Participate in department meetings.
  • Work on additional projects as requested.

SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED:

  • Pursuing a BA or BS degree in public policy or related areas of study.
  • Experience in writing, research, and support preparations for external engagements related to these topics.
  • Interests in researching international hunger hot spots, global school meals, child nutrition and global food security.
  • Openness to present findings to various audiences.
  • Social media savvy.
  • Willingness to learn.
  • Commitment to the mission of Bread for the World.

WORK ENVIRONMENT ISSUES:

  • This internship is based in Washington, DC.
  • Bread is a hybrid organization.

CULTURAL EXPRESSIONS:

Bread is committed to advancing racial equity externally and internally, all staff members play a vital role. In the course of our work, each staff person should work to apply a racial equity lens to their work and practices; and participate in racial equity on-going training. Bread is also committed to being an equal opportunity employer.

OUR VALUES:

  1. We value our faith. Our faith in Christ compels us to love our neighbors near and far and is the foundation for our hope, story, mission, and values.
  2. We value human flourishing. We believe that every human being, created in the image of God, has inherent dignity that affords an opportunity to thrive in relationship with God, self, neighbor, and the environment; and to access enough nutritious food for good health.
  3. We value justice. We seek to establish effective systems, structures, and policies that affirm equality and advance equity among all human beings to alleviate hunger and poverty.
  4. We value courage and prophetic voice. In a spirit of wisdom and love, we will be bold in articulating and pursuing our vision of a world without hunger.
  5. We value nonpartisanship. We believe that effective and sustainable public policies are made when, in good faith, we employ a civil and bipartisan approach to develop and implement laws and programs to achieve our mission.
  6. We value collaboration. We believe in working alongside and building community with a diversity of churches, interfaith communities, institutions, and individuals, including people experiencing hunger, to achieve our mission.
  7. We value impact. We strive for excellence in our work and hold ourselves and our nation’s leaders accountable in the pursuit of public policies that render measurable results and meaningful change for people everywhere affected by hunger.

DISCLAIMER:

Background and reference checks will be conducted on all final candidates. The information in this job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, nor to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.