Position Description
RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
AFFORDABLE HEALTH INSURANCE
The Commonwealth Fund
THE ORGANIZATION
The Commonwealth Fund is a private foundation that aims to promote a high performing health
care system that achieves better access, improved quality, and greater efficiency, particularly for
society's most vulnerable, including low-income people, the uninsured, minority Americans,
young children, and elderly adults. The Fund carries out this mandate by supporting independent
research on health care issues and making grants to improve health care practice and policy. An
international program in health policy is designed to stimulate innovative policies and practices
in the United States and other industrialized countries.
THE PROGRAM
The Program on Affordable Health Insurance envisions an efficient and equitable health
insurance system that makes available to all Americans comprehensive, continuous, and
affordable coverage. In support of that vision, the program seeks to:
 Provide timely analysis of changes in private and public insurance coverage for people
under age 65 and the impact on the number of people covered and the quality of
coverage;
 Document the consequences of being uninsured and underinsured on people's health,
finances, and productivity;
 Inform federal and state policy makers and media about Affordable Care Act provisions,
regulations, and implementation and implications for individuals and employers;
 Inform successful implementation of health reform through analysis of key provisions
related to achieving near universal, affordable and comprehensive health insurance
coverage
 Analyze and develop policy options to expand, stabilize, and improve the affordability of
health insurance coverage, as well as increase its administrative efficiency.
The Affordable Health Insurance program is part of the Health Reform Policy Program Cluster
along with the Commonwealth Fund’s Commission on a High Performance Health System, the
Federal and State Health Policy program, and the Payment and System Reform program.
SUMMARY POSITION DESCRIPTION
Reporting to the Vice President, Affordable Health Insurance, the Research Associate is an
important part of a three-member team responsible for the Fund’s Program on Affordable Health
Insurance. The primary responsibility of the Research Associate is to provide research and
analytic support for the Affordable Health Insurance program, with specific responsibility in the
area of the program’s extensive survey research agenda. With guidance from the Vice President,
the Research Associate is responsible for managing the day to day activities of the program’s
surveys including organizing and providing input to questionnaire development, insuring data
integrity, communicating with the survey research firms, using statistical software to analyze
data, and displaying data in tables and charts. The Research Associate will participate as part of
Fund staff research teams in writing reports, issue briefs, blogs, and journal articles based on
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survey findings. As experience deepens, responsibilities will include making presentations at
public and professional meetings.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
Specific responsibilities for the Research Associate include:
 Managing the day to day activities of the Affordable Health Insurance program’s surveys
including organizing and providing input to questionnaire development, insuring data
integrity, communicating with the survey research firms, and responding to external
requests for data.
 Conducting statistical analysis of the program’s surveys, displaying data in tables and
charts.
 Developing and implementing procedures for insuring data integrity in survey data sets
and program publications.
 Collaborating with other members of the research team to write reports, issue briefs,
journal articles, and blogs based on survey findings.
 Develop knowledge of the provisions of the Affordable Care Act and emerging
regulations and guidance implementing the law, to both inform questionnaire
development, data analysis and presentation, and focus of publications.
 Develop knowledge of the literature, policy environment, and industry trends related to
public and private health insurance coverage and access issues. Conduct background
research on current health coverage and access issues, including literature reviews and
Internet searches. Monitor journals, working papers, legislative developments, survey
reports, and other information related to the program area.
 Prepare charts and tables for public presentations and presenting findings to professional
and policy audiences. May also be asked to prepare presentations for other members of
senior management.
 Assist in the development of policy relevant and methodologically sound Board-level and
Small Grants Fund projects for the Affordable Health Insurance program. Conduct
background research and literature reviews; review proposals for design and
methodology; prepare summaries for review and approval by the Board of Directors.
 Support the Senior Policy Associate in managing grants by tracking the current status of
projects; maintaining knowledge of work related to grants, including publications.
 Assure high quality, policy relevant Fund publications based on grantee and staff work.
Critique grantee and staff papers submitted for Fund publication; participate in the final
review; prepare executive summaries and issue briefs based on grantee work.
 Participate in Fund supported health policy work beyond the program on Affordable
Health Insurance as needed.
 The Senior Policy Associate and the Research Associate will back each other up in the
other’s absence, so each is expected to cross-train and ultimately know the other’s
responsibilities at a level that provides for reasonable back-up.
The Fund’s philosophy on successful performance in the job includes the willingness on the part
of all staff members to handle any assignment necessary to further the goals of the institution.
This may include taking on responsibility for other program areas or departments if the need
arises.
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QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate for this policy focused position will have a masters degree (MS, MPH,
MPA) in a field related to health economics, health services research or health policy. Current
Master’s students with experience will be considered. The position requires a strong background
in statistical data analysis using STATA, SAS or other statistical software. A preference will be
given to candidates with knowledge of the insurance coverage provisions of the Affordable Care
Act and background in health insurance coverage and insurance markets.
Applicants should demonstrate strong health policy, economic and research analytical skills,
including competence in the use of quantitative data. Excellent oral and written communication
skills will include the ability to write about and discuss complex issues. Will have coordination
and project management skills, be well organized with concern for details, accuracy and
deadlines and have the ability to set priorities and work with a minimum of supervision.
Computer skills: experience with statistical software analysis, facility with Internet searches,
word processing, spreadsheets, graphical presentations and. Excellent interpersonal skills:
capable of being a team member as well as a team leader and a willingness to participate in
general workflow of office.
The Fund has a relatively small staff, and judgment, integrity, and the ability to listen with
sensitivity to others are traits that are particularly important in an organization of the Fund’s size,
where teamwork is essential to effectiveness. The ability to work collegially with a variety of
Fund staff and interest in and strong commitment to the Fund’s mission and grants programs are
key qualifications.
COMPENSATION
Commensurate with background and experience. The Fund offers an excellent benefits package
(medical/dental insurance, life/disability insurance, pension plan, tuition reimbursement, ample
vacation and lunch in staff dining room).
CONTACT
Send cv or resume cover letter, salary history and two writing samples via e-mail to:
dd@cmwf.org
Diana Davenport
Vice President, Administration
The Commonwealth Fund
One East 75th Street
New York, NY 10021-2692
The Commonwealth Fund values diversity and is committed to the recruitment and retention of
individuals of diverse backgrounds, sex, race, religion, and sexual orientation.
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