(Via Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, New York University)

The Research Center for Leadership in Action at the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, New York University, in partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies, is pleased to announce a call for applications for the Bloomberg Innovation Delivery Fellowship.

The Bloomberg Innovation Delivery Fellowship is part of an initiative to support Innovation Delivery Teams in five cities across the United States. Innovation Delivery Teams help mayors develop and deliver powerful solutions to major urban challenges. Situated in a mayor’s office, these teams of top performers bring rigorous focus and best-in-class practice to identifying powerful solutions, developing implementation plans and then managing for results – effectively engaging all necessary stakeholders to support success throughout the process. Bloomberg Philanthropies has invested $24 million over three years to enable five cities – Atlanta, Chicago, Louisville, Memphis, and New Orleans – to recruit and hire top tier talent to staff their teams (see attached press release and news coverage). Over the next three years, each city will receive extensive technical assistance and support through the initiative to get the teams up and running and to identify best practices and lessons as each team customizes the model to meet local needs.

Selected Cities, Mayors and Priority Areas

Atlanta: Mayor Kasim Reed

• Introduce 311 and other initiatives to improve customer service
• Dramatically reduce street homelessness

Chicago: Mayor Rahm Emanuel

• Reduce waiting and processing times for key city services
• Dramatically scale energy efficiency efforts

Louisville – Mayor Greg Fischer

• Partner with Lexington to implement a new regional export strategy
• Improve agency performance and public accountability

Memphis: Mayor A C Wharton, Jr.

• Increase small business growth in target neighborhoods
• Reduce handgun violence

New Orleans: Mayor Mitch Landrieu

• Reduce waiting and processing times for key city services
• Reduce homicides

Fellowship Information

The fellowship will recruit five early-tenure professionals who aspire to exceptional careers in public service to support these new teams. Each fellow will serve a two-year commitment as part of the Innovation Delivery Team in one of the selected cities. Reporting to the Team Director, fellows will add value to the cities by supporting city-specific strategies, documenting progress in all phases of the innovation and delivery process, and implementing data collection systems and basic analysis that accelerate progress and elevate best practices on government innovation.

This fellowship will offer an unparalleled leadership opportunity that includes a hands-on learning experience supported by a national learning network and first-tier academic expertise. The program provides fellows a unique understanding of government innovation coupled with access to senior leaders in municipal government and the opportunity to be part of a groundbreaking team model that brings real change to one of the selected American cities.

Fellowship Components

• Full-time assignment to one of the selected cities for the duration of the two-year program.
• Orientation, including leadership development and training in policy analysis and management topics relevant to the fellow role and the assigned city priority areas.
• Site visits to other Innovation Delivery Team cities with opportunities for development and learning.
• Access to networking opportunities with peers and influential leaders in municipal government.
• Shared fellowship experience and deep connection with a supportive group of peers.
• Hands-on experience with leading edge approaches to innovation.

Responsibilities

• Report to and work side-by-side with the Team Director as she or he builds the Team and oversees its work, being deployed as needed to support the development and execution of city-specific strategies.
• Ensure that a clear record is kept of process and programmatic work and innovations at the individual city level.
• Document the Team’s progress in all stages of the innovation and delivery process, which will include tracking and analyzing data.
• Contribute to the knowledge building effort led by NYU Wagner and participate in fellowship activities (e.g., convenings, conference calls).

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in public policy or administration plus at least two years of work experience preferred. In exceptional cases a Bachelor’s degree plus four years of work experience may be accepted.
• Background and demonstrated interest in public sector policy and implementation. Public sector work experience is strongly preferred; in the case of applicants without a graduate degree it is required.
• Exhibited leadership and project management responsibilities; strong communication skills; positive and proactive “can do” attitude.
• Familiarity with data collection and analysis and strong analytical and writing skills.
• Demonstrated eligibility to work in the United States.

Application Requirements
Please submit the following by November 15, 2011

• Fellowship Application Form indicating the cities of interest in ranked preference order.
• Two short statements (500 words or fewer per statement), one describing your interest in public sector innovation and the other your readiness for serving as a Bloomberg Innovation Delivery Fellow.
• Resume.

Please use the Fellowship Reference Form and ask one reference to submit a letter of recommendation directly to wagner.innovationfellows@nyu.edu by November 15, 2011. Please provide the names and contact information of two additional references through theFellowship Application Form.

Selection and Notification Process

• Fellows will be pre-selected through a national competitive process and finalists will be selected by the cities indicated in the application forms.
• Final decisions will be made by January 6, 2012.
• Fellows will be required to start work on site in their assigned city on January 17, 2012.

Compensation

• Full-time salary of $60,000 annualized.
• Reimbursement of pre-approved health insurance.

Forms
Fellowship Application Form
Fellowship Reference Form

Contact Information
Research Center for Leadership in Action
New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service

The Puck Building
295 Lafayette Street, 2nd floor, New York, NY 10012

Email: wagner.innovationfellows@nyu.edu
Phone: (212) 998-7552
Web: wagner.nyu.edu/leadership
Fellowship: wagner.nyu.edu/leadership/leadership_dev/bidf.php