Program Officer - NAM Climate Grand Challenge

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine value diversity in our members, volunteers, and staff and strive for a culture of inclusion in our workplace and activities. Convening a diverse community to exchange ideas and perspectives enhances the quality of our work and increases our relevance as advisers to the nation about the most complex issues facing the nation and the world.

Keck Center

National Academy of Sciences Engineering Medicine

<br /><br />The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine provide independent, objective advice to inform policy with evidence, spark progress and innovation, and confront challenging issues for the benefit of society. We marshal knowledge and expertise across disciplines to study complex and sometimes contentious issues, reach consensus based on the evidence, and identify the best path forward. https://www.nationalacademies.org/

keywords: the board,the opportunity,sponsor stewardship & program development/mgmt,project administration,mentorship and staff development,financial management,report review,education,experience,knowledge, skills, and abilities,collaboration,travel

Full time

Overview: <br />The National Academy of Medicine (NAM), established in 1970 under the name Institute of Medicine (IOM), is an independent organization of eminent professionals from diverse fields including health and medicine; the natural, social, and behavioral sciences; and beyond. The NAM serves alongside the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering as an adviser to the nation and the international community. The NAM&rsquo;s mission is to improve health for all by advancing science, accelerating health equity, and providing independent, authoritative, and trusted advice nationally and globally.<br /><br />The NAM seeks an experienced and highly motivated Program Officer to lead the formation and management of a Climate Communities Network, a key program within the NAM&rsquo;s recently launched Grand Challenge on Climate Change, Human Health, and Equity. The Grand Challenge is a multi-year strategic initiative to improve and protect human health, well-being, and equity by working to transform systems that both contribute to and are impacted by climate change. The Grand Challenge has four strategic objectives: 1) Catalyze the health sector to reduce its climate footprint and ensure its resilience; 2) Develop a roadmap report for systems transformation; 3) Accelerate research and innovation at the intersection of climate, health, and equity; and 4) Communicate the climate crisis as a public health and equity crisis.<br />&nbsp;<br />Reducing climate-related health inequities is a central tenet of the Climate Grand Challenge and communities impacted by climate change are integral partners in identifying solutions that can create a more equitable and just environment to improve health. As such, NAM will create a network of community leaders and people most negatively impacted by climate change to help guide and work across the Climate Grand Challenge programs. Network members will work with climate experts and industry leaders from across sectors, geographies, and disciplines to catalyze innovation, inform decision-making, and communicate opportunities to reimagine systems and bolster local infrastructures to ensure that those populations most impacted by climate change are not left behind. <br /><br />The successful candidate will have a passion for the National Academy of Medicine&rsquo;s vision and a commitment to advancing health equity; is a proactive, forward-looking thinker, who actively seeks opportunities and proposes solutions; exercises good judgment in a variety of complex situations, with strong written and verbal communication and organizational skills; effectively balances multiple priorities and assignments; and enjoys working in an entrepreneurial environment that is results- and mission-driven. Experience in community engagement, equity initiatives, climate change, and health preferred.
Responsibilities: Reporting to the Director of the Climate Grand Challenge, the Program Officer will be initially responsible for launching and managing the Climate Communities Network with limited oversight from senior staff. Responsibilities of the Program Officer will initially include but are not limited to: <br /><br /> <ul> <li>Leading activities to better understand how community health is impacted by climate change in the U.S.</li> <li>Collaborating with internal and external partners to guide the formation of the network</li> <li>Organizing and facilitating planning meetings with partners to further scope the plans for the network&rsquo;s formation, governance, and operations</li> <li>Executing a process for nominating, selecting, and appointing representatives to serve on the network</li> <li>Organizing and facilitating regular meetings of the network to advance and achieve the identified goals</li> <li>Conducting relevant research and developing materials, such as white papers or research summaries, as well as tracking relevant issues</li> <li>Collaborating with network members, as well as internal and external partners to develop a plan for evaluating the project&rsquo;s success at agreed-upon milestones</li> <li>Liaising with network members, internal and external partners to advance the network&rsquo;s goals and activities</li> <li>Coordinating and collaborating closely with Climate Grand Challenge staff to ensure network members are actively participating and engaged across all Grand Challenge programs</li> <li>Managing the network program budget and delegating assignments to junior staff</li> <li>Developing prospectuses and fundraising for new activities and projects, as needed.</li> <li>Designs and manages program(s) or project(s) of minimal or moderate complexity. In collaboration with Director, develops program or project strategy, manages budget, supervises staff, and ensures project meets objectives.</li> <li>With oversight by Director, leads process for nominating and recruiting expert participants to serve on committees, working groups, or planning groups, as defined by the project. Communicates and coordinates with expert participants. Identifies and gathers research materials for the project. Facilitates the flow of information among expert participants, consultants, staff, and other applicable parties.</li> <li>Conducts large and small workshops and/or meetings. Develops agendas, invites presenters and participants; oversees meeting logistics and multimedia presentations, and prepares written summaries, as applicable.</li> <li>Prepares background papers and technical summaries. Develops written products (e.g., reports, proceedings, white papers). Drafts and edits materials for publication. As needed, synthesizes and edits research findings and technical data to support project objectives.</li> <li>Supports expert committees and participants in all aspects of work. For peer-reviewed publications, assists with preparing the draft publication, including writing sections of the publication based on committee input and review, as well as editing for format, consistency, and grammar. In collaboration with editorial staff, facilitates the response to review, responds to comments and concerns of editors, and prepares the final manuscript for publication.</li> <li>Where applicable, works cross-functionally to plan and implement extensive communications activities related to assigned programs or projects. In collaboration with communications staff, creates and maintains materials, websites, and social media channels to provide interest groups with information generated from and for activities.</li> <li>Where applicable, prepares dissemination plan and manages dissemination of reports and other types of publications. Identifies and engages external organizations in dissemination. Prepares dissemination materials. Conducts dissemination meetings.</li> <li>Where applicable, manages staff with minimal oversight by Director. Assigns tasks and provides guidance and feedback to staff. Mentors staff and ensures required training is accomplished and participates in performance reviews. Interprets and ensures consistent application of organizational policies.</li> <li>Manages project budget and schedule and authorizes expenditures. As required, collaborates with Director and financial staff to ensure compliance.</li> <li>Develops and maintains robust knowledge of major issues, stakeholders, and policy initiatives in areas of assigned activity and responsibility.</li> <li>Maintains close familiarity and liaison with project sponsors. Represents the project and NAM within and outside the National Academies.</li> <li>With oversight by Director, conducts background research on topics for new studies, programs, or activities. Writes prospectuses and proposals for new and continuing funding. Identifies potential sponsors. Raises funds for current and future projects. Where applicable, manages funder relations.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <br /> <p><strong>NONESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES</strong></p> <p>Related duties and special projects as assigned.</p>
Requirements: <br /><strong>Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:</strong> <br /><br /> <ul> <li>Advanced knowledge of technical and policy issues in health, medicine, and related policy.</li> <li>Expertise in topics at the intersection of climate change, human health, and equity, especially as it pertains to marginalized populations and communities, is a bonus.</li> <li>Strong program/project management skills.</li> <li>Ability to understand and share technical/scientific issues with diverse audiences.</li> <li>Ability to solve intellectual problems that are varied and complex using originality and ingenuity.</li> <li>Ability to operate using appreciable latitude for independent judgment and action.</li> <li>Ability to manage and develop projects.</li> <li>Ability to work successfully in a team environment and to form and maintain effective teams.</li> <li>Experience working in complex environments with a high degree of organizational effectiveness.</li> <li>Ability to develop relationships with co-workers, employees in other National Academies' departments, and external constituents through effective communication.</li> <li>Excellent communication skills with a proven ability to interact effectively interact with all levels of staff and constituents.</li> </ul> <br /> <p><strong>Minimum Education/Training Requirements:</strong> Master&rsquo;s degree in a related field or equivalent knowledge and three years of related professional experience.</p> <p><strong>Preferred Education and Experience: </strong>Advanced degree (or equivalent knowledge) in a related field.</p> <p><strong>Physical Capabilities: </strong>Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time. Ability to travel.</p> <p><strong>Required Licenses, Certification, or Registration:</strong> None.</p> <p><strong>Supervisory Responsibilities/Controls:</strong> Reports to senior program officer or director. Sets objectives with supervisor and receives input and advice as needed. May assist in the supervision of project/program staff.</p> <p><strong>Work Environment:</strong> <br /><br />Hybrid Office/Telecommute environment with the ability to work remotely up to 50% of the time, with occasional travel between National Academies&rsquo; facilities and to off-site meeting/sponsor locations. In accordance with the National Academies&rsquo; commitment to providing a safe and healthy workplace, all employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, except as otherwise permitted under a reasonable accommodation for medical or religious reasons. Unless granted accommodation, successful applicants will be required to confirm their vaccination status and proof of vaccination promptly upon beginning employment. Applicants needing accommodations should indicate this in their application; applicants will not be discriminated against in the hiring process on the basis of requesting an accommodation.</p>