Can you provide an example of how you've assisted with the monitoring and evaluation of a policy?

Social Policy Planner Interview Questions

Sample answer to the question

Oh, definitely! When I was an intern at City Hall, I had a pretty neat project where I helped monitor the local after-school program policy. We had a checklist to make sure that centers complied with the policy, like opening hours and student to teacher ratios. My job was to collate feedback from the parents and the centers, then present findings to my supervisor monthly. The feedback was generally positive, with some suggestions for more diverse activities. It was a great learning experience to see policy in action!

A more solid answer

Sure, in my most recent role as a Research Assistant at Harmony Nonprofit, I supported the monitoring and evaluation of a housing policy aimed at reducing homelessness. I was part of a team that designed surveys to gauge the policy's impact. We collected data from multiple sources including local shelters, survey feedback from beneficiaries, and community meetings. I then used analytical tools to assess the data and wrote sections of the quarterly report summarizing our assessments, which helped in tweaking the policy to better meet the needs of the homeless population. Presenting our findings to stakeholders was especially rewarding, as it led to meaningful dialogues on further improvements.

Why this is a more solid answer:

This upgraded response demonstrates a clearer application of research, data analysis, and communication skills. The candidate specifies how they were actively involved in gathering, analyzing data, and reporting, which shows collaboration and engagement with stakeholders. However, it could further detail the impact of the policy changes and the candidate's specific role in the critical thinking process.

An exceptional answer

Absolutely, during my tenure as a Policy Analysis Intern at the Urban Strategies Group, I was integral to the evaluation of an education inclusion policy. I spearheaded a cross-sectional analysis that involved qualitative interviews with educators, focus groups with diverse student populations, and quantitative survey data collection. Collaborating closely with my team, we utilized advanced statistical methods to identify trends and areas needing improvement. I also facilitated town hall meetings, which provided crucial insights into community perspectives. My contributions to the comprehensive report and recommendations led to the refinement of the policy, enabling better accessibility and resources for underrepresented students. Sharing these results with policymakers and seeing the concrete changes implemented was a testament to the effectiveness of our evaluation process.

Why this is an exceptional answer:

This exceptional answer depicts a candidate who not only has hands-on experience in monitoring and evaluating policies but also shows leadership, comprehensive research, and analytical skills. Engagement with stakeholders is well-illustrated, and written and verbal communication skills are evident in facilitating meetings and contributing to impactful reports. It underscores the candidate's ability to influence positive change and details the process and results of their work.

How to prepare for this question

Reflect on any specific instances where you have participated in policy monitoring or evaluation, including details about your role and impact.
Highlight how you used research and data analysis to inform policy evaluation, describing the tools and methods employed.
Demonstrate teamwork by explaining how you collaborated with others in the process, and your personal contributions to the team's effort.
Choose examples that show your proactive stakeholder engagement, such as organizing meetings or gathering public feedback.
Prepare to talk about your communication skills, providing samples of reports or presentations you've made to stakeholders.

What interviewers are evaluating

Research and data analysis
Collaboration and teamwork
Stakeholder engagement
Written and verbal communication