Government Innovation Fellow – Homelessness & Housing and Children & Families
Forecasted
Government Innovation Fellow – Homelessness & Housing and Children & Families supports fellows working with governments to improve housing, homelessness, benefits, and family services for more just systems.
Funder: John F. Kennedy School of Government
Due Dates (Anticipated): February 2027 (Summer cohort) | September 2027 (Fall Fellow)
Funding Amounts: $92,000 annual salary plus benefits; one-year appointment with possible renewal
Summary: Fellows help state and local governments improve housing, homelessness, public benefits, and children and family service systems.
Key Information: Fall Fellow applicants need at least three years of full-time professional work experience; fellows work on GPL-selected projects.
Description
The Government Performance Lab (GPL) at Harvard Kennedy School hires Government Innovation Fellows to help governments improve performance and address difficult social problems. This role focuses on barriers to affordable housing and access to benefits and supports for children and families. Fellows collaborate with government leaders and staff to develop and test more just and effective service systems, serving as day-to-day project managers from conceptualization through implementation.
Work combines research and data analysis, adaptive project management, stakeholder collaboration, and communication. Fellows may support one or more U.S. state or local jurisdictions remotely or work on-site with a government office or agency. Projects include preventing homelessness, improving rehousing, expanding housing production, strengthening public benefits delivery, and supporting child and family wellbeing. Coaching and a nationwide community of practice help fellows develop policy expertise and leadership skills.
