Dear H+T Friends,
I am circulating this announcement for a position with Health Impact Project. If you have
an interest in the position, or know of someone who might, please contact Andrew Zalman.
This is his contact information:
Andrew P. Zalman
Senior Executive Recruiter | The Pew Charitable Trusts
901 E Street, N.W., 10th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20004
p: 202.540.6618 | c: 202.549.5170 | e: azalman(a)pewtrusts.org|
www.pewtrusts.org
**POSITION DESCRIPTION**
THE PEW CHARITABLE TRUSTS
Officer, Health Impact Project
The Pew Health Group
The Pew Health Group seeks to improve the health and well-being of all Americans. Based on
research and critical analysis, the program advocates policies that reduce unacceptable
health risk, especially in the areas of consumer, food and prescription drug safety,
toxics in products and antibiotic overuse in farms animal production.
The Health Impact Project
The Health Impact Project is a collaboration of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)
and The Pew Charitable Trusts (PCT). The project, which is managed out of the Pew Health
Group, is designed to promote the use of health impact assessments (HIAs) as a way to
informed decisions on policies, programs and projects outside the health sector at the
local, state, tribal and federal level. HIAs are used to identify the likely impacts of
these decisions and help policy makers avoid unintended risks, reduce unnecessary costs
and leverage opportunities to improve the health of their communities.
Position Overview
This position, based in Pew’s Washington, D.C. office, will report to the director of the
Health Impact Project. The officer will be responsible for conducting and drafting health
impact assessments of at least two federal-level decisions, and will conduct or oversee
the activities of contractors in the conduct of several additional HIAs of decisions at
the tribal, state or municipal level. The officer will be responsible for all aspects of
the health impact assessment process, including: conducting the required research;
identifying, vetting and assembling an appropriate team of consultants; engaging
stakeholders; outreach to policy makers, including state and federal agencies; and other
activities as the need arises. The officer will also work with the director and
communications officer to synthesize data on the conduct and outcomes of HIA in order to
build a compelling case for their use and to present these data to policy makers, private
sector stakeholders and other audiences. The position is funded through December, 2013,
with the possibility of renewal depending on the initiative’s progress and identification
of sources of funding.
The officer will also help design and implement research and analysis efforts for the
Health Impact Project, coordinate convenings, manage special projects and support other
programmatic investments. The officer may also undertake special projects and/or new
initiatives.
Responsibilities
• Under the direction of the director, conduct and draft a health impact assessment of a
federal-level policy selected by the Health Impact Project, engage stakeholders and
decision-makers at each step of the HIA process, develop and carry out effective
dissemination plans for the HIA findings and recommendations.
• Conduct research, data analysis, GIS mapping, and statistical modeling as needed to
carry out high-quality HIAs.
• Oversee all aspects of the report review and production process, in coordination with
the communications officer, to ensure timely dissemination of HIA findings to
decision-makers and other stakeholders.
• Identify, vet, and select appropriate contractors to conduct HIAs or to address
specific research questions germane to an HIA and manage all aspects of contractor
activity.
• Collect and analyze data regarding HIA outcomes in order to build a compelling case for
their use in sectors and decisions where HIAs appear likely to add value. Present the
results of this research to policy makers in agencies, legislatures and Congressional
staff offices, as well as media, potential allies and others in order to build awareness
of the field.
• Oversee and contribute to other research needs that may arise in the course of the
activities of the Health Impact Project.
• Assist program staff in developing and processing contracts and sub grants.
• Contribute to content for newsletters, mailings and other communications vehicles
designed to ensure that internal and external audiences are kept apprised of project
updates.
• Contribute to and participate in tasks of the project and PHG as assigned, as well as
broader Pew-wide projects and/or committees as needed.
Requirements
• A masters degree in public health or a related field. An advanced degree in medicine or
science (an MD or Ph.D.) is preferred.
• A minimum of eight years of relevant professional experience, including outstanding
research, analytical and writing skills; experience in leading multi-disciplinary teams
and synthesizing reports based on research from several disciplines. Health impact
assessment experience is preferred but not required. Experience in another relevant field
such as regulatory impact assessment or cost-benefit analysis may suffice.
• Strong research and analytic skills in epidemiology, GIS mapping, or statistical
modeling.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills including:
• Experience synthesizing and summarizing large amounts of information, focusing quickly
on the essence of an issue, as well as identifying, understanding and proposing solutions
that address different policy perspectives.
• Experience working with academics, nonprofits and other entities conducting research
and policy analysis, helping ensure the results are rigorous, policy relevant and timely
and are communicated clearly and persuasively to target audiences.
• Strong systems skills including Microsoft office products required; database and online
research applications preferred.
• Ability to work professionally and collegially within a creative, fast-paced corporate
culture that emphasizes excellence and teamwork.
• Demonstrated time- and project-management skills, including development and timely
completion of work plans for complex, long-term projects; and maintaining a high level of
organization. Ability to set priorities and identify resources.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision. Flexible and able to routinely
juggle multiple competing priorities and work in teams of both support and senior staff to
meet project goals.
• Experience engaging stakeholders—including policy makers, community members and policy
makers—in scientific and policy contexts.
• Operating effectively within diverse political and policy environments and addressing
conflicting policy perspectives in a way that maximizes programmatic objectives. Writing
clear and cogent materials that effectively translate scientific information and policy
issues for policy makers, community members, the media and other audiences.
Travel
It is anticipated that the individual in this position will travel within the U.S.